Matt Bullin takes a look at our recent record against Rochdale
Rochdale hold the historical edge in the fixture and have won 22 of the 45 previous matches between the sides. Shrewsbury have 13 wins, while there have been 10 draws.Rochdale came out on top when the sides met at the Crown Oil Arena earlier this season, beating Town 2-1.
Shaun Whalley spurned an early chance for Salop before Ian Henderson and Steve Davies netted for the Dale, then Ivan Toney grabbed a consolation late on for Town as he slotted home after latching onto George Waring’s through ball.
The sides met twice in League One in the 2016/17 season too.
In the second game of that season it was Town who came out on top as they won 2-0 at the Greenhous Meadow.
Whalley and Nathaniel Knight-Percival both scored before the break to secure a fine three points for Shrewsbury.
However earlier that season it was Rochdale who came away with the three points as they won a five-goal thriller at the Crown Oil Arena.
A calamitous start saw Town fall 3-0 down inside 15 minutes as Henderson slotted a penalty, Peter Vincenti headed home and Jamie Allen fired in.
But by the end of the first period Town had pulled two back as Kight-Percival found the net and James Collins scored from the spot – but unfortunately for Town they could not complete the comeback in the second half.
Prior to last season the sides had not met since they were both in League Two in the 2009/10 season.
In the second game of the season Town lost a tight game at the Greenhous Meadow 1-0 as Joe Thompson’s goal was the difference between the sides, while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff saw red for Salop shortly after.
But in the first game of the season Town were blown away as the Dale secured a 4-0 victory at home.
Craig Dawson, now at West Brom, scored a brace from centre back, and Chris O’Grady fired in a brace of his own to hand Rochdale a comprehensive win.