Marcus Braddock previews the weekends big game
This weekend we return to League One action as we entertain Rochdale at Montgomery Waters Meadow. Dale is just a couple of places above us of us with a two point gaps. Their recent form hasn't been bad, from their last five league games they've drawn once and won twice including a 2-0 away win at Bradford last month. If you include last weekends Emirates FA Cup win against Gateshead and their CheckaTrade draw at home to Leicester U21, they've not been beaten in their last four games in all competitions. Their home draws in their recent two cup games mean that this is Dales first away tie since October 23rd, a game that they lost 3-0 to Wycombe Wanderers.
Top Scorer
Ian Henderson with eleven goals in all competitions. Henderson has been with Rochdale since joining from Colchester in March 2013. The 33-year-old striker started his career as a trainee with Norwich and even made a few appearances in the top flight for them in the 2004/5 seasons. He's spent time at a few clubs and even had a spell in Turkey with Ankaragucu but his longest spell anywhere has been with Dale. He scored his 100th goal for Rochdale last Saturday against Gateshead in the F.A. Cup and has scored five times in his last six games including a match winning brace at Bradford.
Clean Sheets
Two from away games and four at home.
Assists
Joseph Rafferty 2
Ian Henderson 2
Calvin Andrew 2
Aaron Wilbraham 2
Stats
Rochdale have kept clean sheets in 25% of their away games this season and have only failed to score in 12%.
77% of their away goals have been scored in the second half with 50% of those goals coming in the final 15 minutes.
They've conceded six goals in the second half of away games but none in the last 15 minutes of any away game in the league this season.
Rochdale's record in the first half of away games isn't quite as good with just three goals, that's two in the first fifteen minutes, one in the second fifteen minutes and none in the last.
They've won an average of 1.5 points and have scored 1.6 goals per away game this season but have conceded an average of 1.9.
Squad News
Danny Coyne has no new injury worries, Shaun Whalley is still out with a calf injury.
Summary
When we face an opponent with no permanent manager in place, I'm never too comfortable because there is often a bounce effect when a manager leaves, meaning a stronger performance. It certainly looked to be the case on Tuesday night when Danny Coyne managed his first win as Town manager after making significant chances. There were some good performances that will have increased competition and with players looking to impress any potential watching manager, we may see more of the same this weekend. Rochdale have a good away record this season so they won’t be easily resisted but we have plenty of ability throughout the squad and if we're at our best there is every chance of a positive result.
COYB!!!