Thundersticks And Cheerleaders Won’t Win Titles

Darlington would be right in the play-off mix if it wasn’t for their 10-point deduction for going to administration.  That said, it is probably the least of their worries at the moment, they still are in danger of going bust as they haven’t found a buyer, but it does highlight the danger they possess.  This danger is worrying as Dale really MUST win this game.  Three points would gain a play-ff spot and leave Dale in with a shout when it comes to going up automatically.  The signs weren’t great from the start.

I was appalled at the atmosphere at Spotland.  I really am a miserable s*d, but I thought that the ‘party atmosphere’ was premature as Rochdale have won nothing yet.  For the visit of Sky, there was an increase in the crowd (a special family ticket saw an increase in kids too) as many just tried to get their mugs on the telly.  Cynical, I know, but it’s the truth.  In addition, a local promotion from the Rochdale Observer saw the sale of ‘Thunder Sticks’, inflated rubber sticks that make a ‘noise’ when banged together.  They were irritating, at best, as they were mostly found strewn across the floor by full-time.  Next up was the continued use of cheerleaders.  Dale have had some in the past (until one fell over, ‘Wayyyyyy!’), but they have reappeared recently to rev the fans up by not one iota.  There was also the promotion clinching favourite; the inflatable ball, bouncing around the stand: if it had come near me it would have been straight under my seat!  There was also a bloke on stilts outside to contribute to the complacency and I could see what Sky would be broadcasting next, namely a Dale home defeat.

Jason Kennedy didn’t hang around when it came to proving me right.  Last year’s penalty villain in the play-off battle between these two sides, turned hero with a sumptuous strike from 30 yards.  He was given the time to set himself and unleash a masterful volley over Fielding.  It might even eclipse the wonderful goal he scored in the first-leg of the aforementioned play-off tie.  It was almost a bigger lead as Fielding twice found himself almost beaten by the bounce of the ball from long balls.  One even caught him by surprise to such an extent that he had to push it onto the post.  It hardly inspired confidence.  For the rest of the half, Dale played some decent stuff without making too much of an impression, although Chris Dagnall missed two wonderful opportunities.  The first isn’t worth mentioning, but the second one certainly is!  After an excellent break, Dagnall received the ball on the edge of the area with a significant amount of work still to do.  He jinked and he weaved the ball into an excellent position around 12 yards out and proceeded to smash the ball way over the crossbar.  After all the work he had done, it seemed only the easy part remained, but it never is in League Two.  The result of Dagnall’s wasted chances was a 1-0 deficit at the break.  If Dale concede a goal early in the second half (as they tend to do) it may just be all over.  The match and the automatic promotion bid.

In the second half, the game became scrappy and no one really made an impression of note by dominating the general play or creating chances.  That said, Darlo did take the lead, in eccentric fashion, through a Rory McArdle own goal (probably his 5^th of the season after he went through a spell at the beginning of the campaign).  The corner was whipped in, finding the head of Pawel Abbott, whose header seemed to hang in the air.  Strangely, Fielding was slow to react, watching the ball strike the post instead of jumping to collect it.  This left McArdle with nowhere to go as the ball struck him and rolled into the net.  It was a calamitous goal to receive, especially live on Sky Sports.  As the game petered out, the Dale fans did even less to cover themselves in glory as some home fans started fighting with stewards who took exception to them standing at the back of the stand.  The ensuing scuffle was a further embarrassment, though it was more interesting than the events on the field.

A black day then.  The death of the automatic promotion dream and the confirmation of a play-off place would have to wait another week, at least.  On this form, I wouldn’t fancy Dale in the play-offs either.  All is not well at the moment.  Hopefully, this means that better times are ahead.  Hopefully, promotion is ahead.

Just One More Point

The game with Shrewsbury was more important than most.  A win at the New Meadow would see Rochdale well into contention for automatic promotion, but the most critical result of a victory would be the clinching of a play-off place.  Shrewsbury currently reside in 8^th, one place outside the play-off spots and 7 points behind Rochdale with three games to play after this game.  A failure from the Shrews to notch a victory would all but seal Dale’s place in the post-season festivities.

The first-half represented Shrewsbury’s need for a victory as they battered Rochdale.  Nick Chadwick and Grant Holt were amongst the players lining up to break the deadlock as wave-after-wave of attacks were launched on Frank Fielding’s goal.  It was Holt who finally ended Rochdale’s resistance just two minutes after the break.  Chaos at a corner ended with Holt converting from close-range in his trademark predatory fashion.  The former Rochdale man was scoring against his old side for the second time this season, the goal in the reverse fixture also arriving just after the break.  It is becoming a bit of a problem now.  After the break, Dale usually have around 10 minutes where they look exceptionally vulnerable and they usually concede in this period.  The amount of times that Dale have undone the good work of a first period this season has probably contributed heavily to any failure to gain an automatic promotion spot (should they miss out).

The general balance of the play suggested that Holt’s goal may be decisive (to the joy of the Dale fans), though the visiting side managed to gain a foothold in the game.  With 15 minutes of the game still to play, Rochdale managed to cultivate an equaliser via the unlikely source of Chris Dagnall.  A miserable season in front of goal for the previously-prolific striker had defied his superb work rate all year, though he would get a reward today by providing the equaliser.  Picking the ball up at the edge of the area, Dagnall sent a tremendous first-time effort beyond Luke Daniels to give Rochdale a priceless point.  The shell-shocked Shrews had no reply and the game fizzled out into a 1-1 draw.

While a win would have been ideal, I guess I can’t complain too much.  With automatic promotion looking evermore unlikely, a play-off place must be clinched at the earliest opportunity, which happens to be the televised 12.45 kick-off against Darlington at Spotland.  A point would be enough for a play-off place, though a win would be preferable; essential to keep Dale’s dim automatic hopes alive.  Surely I won’t be disappointed.

Up Yours, Robbie Williams!

If there is to be one criticism to be levelled at Rochdale this season (and there is room for a few), it is that they have not been able to ‘grind’ out the victories when they are not at their potent best.  This has seen many dropped points that have caused the automatic promotion bid to be more arduous than it really should have been.  For example, the 1-1 home draw with Macclesfield springs to mind.  It was a treat then, to see Rochdale eke out a win against Port Vale.

Port Vale have had a poor season, unable to mask their league performance with the ‘luxury’ of a points deduction that fellow relegated side Bournemouth and Luton have ‘enjoyed’.  They have been nowhere throughout the year.  Of course, against Rochdale, they still offered a threat, especially as Hill had made a few changes.  The most notable was the introduction of the previously on-loan Marcus Holness at centre-back to cover for the absent Stanton and a return to the squad for the disappointing Kallum Higginbotham.  Higgy had struggled to replicate the form he showed in late 2007 and we weren’t expecting a great deal here; his Rochdale career is surely over.  As it happened, he only lasted half of the first period after being floored by two strong (and brilliant) tackles by his marker.  Hill made similar changes last season to his starting line-up at this stage last season and it almost cost an automatic promotion spot then, it was possible that the scenario would be repeated.

Port Vale almost struck first when they struck the woodwork.  A corner would almost be the undoing of the Dale once again as the initial header was won and the flick-on left Frank Fielding with little option but to watch the ball come back off the bar.  Rochdale’s performance was hampered by the ineffectual Higginbotham on the right-wing, so it was unsurprising when Dale took the lead while he was off receiving treatment.  Ten-man Rochdale advanced down the right with the luckless Dagnall who showed Higgy just how it was done.  Beating the defender and getting to the byline, Daggers centred for the waiting Buckley on the opposite wing, leaving him the simple task of rolling the ball home.  It was the ‘tip of the iceberg’ as far as Dagnall’s performance was considered.  Okay, so he may not be banging in the goals as he once was, but his work ethic and his desire to give his best for the team was inspirational as he carried Dale over the line.  As the second half wore on, his attempts to notch a goal intensified, causing some great support from the crowd.  A clear man-of-the-match performance from Chris Dagnall.

Apart from Dagger’s performance, Dale’s ability to restrict Port Vale’s chances was probably the most impressive feature of their display.  From the moment that they struck the bar, Port Vale were restricted to efforts from long range, at best, that rarely caused Frank Fielding to break sweat in the spring  Rochdale sunshine (I repeat, sunshine).  Even Louis Dodds was unable to repeat the trick of many other ex-Dale strikers by scoring against his former team.  In the end, it was a comfortable victory that the 1-0 scoreline failed to do justice.

Victories in a similar vein must be acquired in the remaining four games if Dale are to stand a chance of automatic promotion.  Next up is play-off chasing Shrewsbury at the New Meadow where a win would seal a play-off spot for Rochdale.  In fact, a positive result of any kind will leave Rochdale as shoe-ins for a play-off spot.  Let’s just hope that Grant Holt has even less luck than Louis Dodds!

Oh I Do Hate To Be Beside The Seaside

Skint for as long as most fans can remember, it has been a strange old season for Bournemouth.  Deducted 17 points; Kevin Bond sacked after a few games; Jimmy Quinn lasting only a bit longer; financial worries (although this is nothing out of the ordinary).  Yes, it has been a strange old season.  Things had picked up recently as Eddie Howe made the transition from player to manager to become the youngest in the Football League.  Under Howe, the south-coast side had managed to surpass the truly dire Chester and Grimsby, giving themselves a great chance of retaining their League status and, possibly ultimate survival with their ropy finances.  Things were looking up with some formidable home form and Dale, the next visitors, would feel the full force of that!

A 4-0 rout was the result.  A Brett Pitman hat-trick and a Liam Feeney strike did for Dale as they were easily dispatched at Deans’ Court.  I can’t say I didn’t expect a defeat as it is difficult to beat Bournemouth at home, but the manner of the defeat is worrying.  Hill called it “an all-time low” for his tenure and it is hard to disagree as the implications could be massive.  It isn’t exactly going to cause morale to ascend and shows a lack of resilience that may be of concern.  I just have to hope it occurs as a one-off and doesn’t affect form drastically.  While it is clear that the Rochdale’s players performed poorly, news of a rift between Mark Jones and Hill lead to him being withdrawn at half-time.  This can be added to the long list of concerns as it is essentially another member of the squad that cannot be used because Hill will surely not use him while their relationship is under a cloud.

A bad, bad day at the office for Rochdale.  As I mentioned earlier, the important thing is that it remains consigned just to that and doesn’t escalate to a poor run of form.  Port Vale are next for Dale.  A must-win then, as is every game from now on.  Hopefully, Dale can cause Port Vale’s poor season to continue and make up for the mystifying defeat at Vale Park.

Dale Pay The Penalty

With the likes of Bradford, Wycombe and Chesterfield already faced, Rochdale continued to come up against their promotion rivals with Exeter’s visit to Spotland.  The Grecians, freshly promoted from the Blue Square Premier, were going for a second consecutive promotion and were looking to continue their progress.  In the reverse fixture, they had triumphed over Dale with a resounding 4-1 victory, leaving Hill’s men in no doubt that this game would be a difficult one.

Aware of the difficulty of the fixture, Rochdale looked eager to get ahead and came out with a scintillating passing game that dominated the southern side.  This evaluation was lost on Sky (who had a reporter for Soccer Saturday at the game) who reported that Rochdale had been poor and Exeter had been on top.  Not quite sure how they could see the game like that, but oh well.  Unfortunately, Liam Sercombe’s free-kick then thundered off the bar for Exeter, almost confirming that Sky’s reporter was correct.  Thankfully, Rochdale answered this criticism in the best possible way by scoring from a corner (it’s very rare to celebrate anything from a corner).  After a flick-on, Lee Thorpe could not miss from close range and had the simple task of nodding home, especially when you can consider that he is better with his head than his feet!  This theory was validated only a couple of minutes later when Thorpe poked a volley wide from 12 yards.  His miss seemed insignificant at the time, but would come back to haunt Rochdale after the break.

One of Rochdale’s major flaws is their tendency to concede just after the break and it reared its ugly head once again.  Almost a decade ago, Marcus Stewart was setting the Premiership alight with surprise package Ipswich.  The former Tractor Boys veteran managed to cause mayhem in the area after an Exeter counterattack.  Controlling the ball quite clearly with his arm, Stewart rolled the ball in as he left Fielding and McArdle on the floor.  Needless to say, the Rochdale fans were distressed by the referee’s failure to spot the infringement, although it wasn’t a patch on the travesty of Saltergate!  From then onwards, doom and gloom set in as it looked like Dale would fail at home once again.  No fans do doom and gloom like Rochdale!  There did seem to be light amongst the clouds later in the half as Buckley was felled in the area and the referee, possibly keen to make up for his earlier error, gave the penalty.  Every time Adam Le Fondre steps up to take a penalty, everybody seems to remember that he is a self-confessed spot-kick ‘specialist’.  As a result, it is always perplexing when he misses as he did here.  Luckily, the rebound came straight back and he hammered it into the roof of the net to give Dale a critical lead.

Well, I thought the lead would be critical.  As it was, the lead only lasted for a minute.  Exeter literally went down the other end of the pitch and scored.  Stuart Fleetwood burst into the area and Nathan Stanton mysteriously went for the sliding tackled very early, which allowed Fleetwood to ‘let himself to be collected’ by the Rochdale defender for a penalty.  It was a stupidly naive foul from a supposedly experienced defender.  Up stepped Stewart to complete what, with his experience, was surely a formality.  He rolled it home with predictable ease and Exeter were level.

The game ended in a draw, representing another missed opportunity for the Dale.  At this crunch stage of the season, these are the games that need to be won, especially against rivals like Exeter City.  Rochdale’s failure may possibly see them miss out on automatic promotion.  If only Thorpe’s missed volley had nestled in the corner!  It doesn’t get any easier for Dale, with a long trip to Bournemouth in the next game.  They are notoriously difficult to beat at home, but a win may be a necessity.  C’mon Dale!

A Good Night For The Spireites, A Bad Night For Dale

Riding a wave of optimism after the Wycombe win, I was confident of a second, consecutive away win for Rochdale- this time at Chesterfield.   It would be a dangerous fixture as Chesterfield had struck form at just the right time, allowing them to capitalise on their games-in-hand and mount a serious play-off charge (automatic promotion should be beyond them).  Despite losing their main goal-scoring threat, Jamie Ward to Sheffield United, the Spireites had barely suffered with Jack Lester hitting form.  The former Sheffield United striker was arguably the best striker in the league (Chris Dagnall and Grant Holt may have something to say about that, Andy Bishop has no chance) and it would take a concerted effort from the Dale defence to keep him quiet.  Despite their form, if Dale ‘turned up’ I felt that Chesterfield had no chance.  Dale didn’t turn up.

Saltergate is used to portray the Baseball Ground, Elland Road and even the original Wembley in the new Brian Clough film, the Damned United.  As I arrived at the ground, it was easy to see how the film-makers saw it suitable to be used as the seventies versions of the stated stadiums.  Everything about Saltergate screamed the seventies.  Grey and brown concrete created terraces that looked to be carved into the side of a cliff rather than built as they stood just a second from crumbling.  The crowning glory of the ground was the open-air ‘toilets’.  A wall, some weeds and the stars- just what you want when you relieve yourself!  To be honest, it was the best part of the night as Rochdale were capitulated.

It wasn’t pretty.  Chesterfield dominated from the word ‘go’ as Dale could barely escape their half.  Frank Fielding was regularly called into action and provided a response every time, until Lester struck.  The ball was cleared up into the air by the Rochdale defence.  As it was above the stand, the wind caught the ball, radically changing its direction.  Unfortunately, Rochdale’s central defensive partnership Simon Ramsden and Rory McArdle were slow to react and Jack Lester was allowed to bring the ball down under no pressure.  The experienced striker calmly took the ball beyond the two defenders, rounded Fielding and tapped the ball into an empty net.  34 minutes gone and it looked like there was almost no hope of Dale getting back into the game.  A bit pessimistic, but very realistic.

After the break, former Rochdale goalkeeping hero Tommy Lee was to spend the half in front of the Dale supporters.  When on-loan from Macclesfield, Lee was a stalwart of Dale’s play-off side last year, gaining cult status amongst the fans who christened him ‘Gypo’ due to his long hair.  He got a great reception and even he couldn’t avoid laughing at the chants.  His new shortened hair led to “He’s not a Gypo anymorrrrre” and when Dale fans got desperate they offered “a paraffin lamp for a goal”.  You have to love English supporters’ wit!  Unfortunately, it didn’t improve matters.  Dale went two behind just beyond the hour as Lester further underlined the threat that he poses.  Receiving a throw-in from the right, Lester turned inside before placing a left-footed effort right into the corner of the net.  It was inch-perfect and left Fielding with no chance, which was more chance than Dale now had of getting anything from the game.  It got worse.  With four minutes to go, the Dale defence parted allowing Gregor Robertson a free run at goal.  He made the most of his chance, tapping the ball beyond Fielding to compound Rochdale’s blushes.

A humiliating defeat was already complete when Rochdale had their best chance of the match.  The referee had a poor game throughout, but he outdid himself when he failed to notice a handball on the line in injury time.  An excellent Dale move saw the ball flying into the net, only to be diverted by a hand of a defender.  It was about as clear a handball as you are ever likely to see.  The referee hesitated, despite me and the rest of the fans’ adamant claims, only to be rescued by the rebound going out for a goal kick.  Relieved, the referee gave the goal kick and dismissed our claims.  It is the worst decision I’ve ever seen in the flesh and possibly the worst since Schumacher flattened Battiston (a bit extreme, but why not?).  I could barely speak about anything else all day home, it genuinely shocked me.

Gary Madine’s performance was almost as shocking.  The big man didn’t make a great first impression on me as he failed to win any headers or even jump for half of them.  He was used as a target man throughout, although Rochdale didn’t have a target man until Lee Thorpe appeared (and he isn’t my favourite either).  I miss McEvilly.  It was a shocking decision to release him on-loan, in my opinion.

It was disappointing to lose in this fashion after the win against Wycombe.  The cliché; “every game is a cup final”, is very apt now and another promotion-chasing clash with Exeter City visiting Spotland at the weekend.  A win would be nice, but an improvement in the performance is a minimum as the results are unlikely to come otherwise.  Any other slip-ups like this and promotion can be forgotten.  I hope not.

Who Saw This Coming?

Who could have predicted this?  Rochdale were away at Wycombe and it is fair to say I wasn’t expecting a lot.  Earlier in the season, Wycombe had taken all the points at Spotland in their own trademark style.  A Mike Williamson header and plenty of defending were the order of the day: it is the formula that has taken them to the top of League Two.  Having lead the league for so long, the crown has recently slipped as Wycombe’s form has declined.  Even so, surely Rochdale didn’t stand a chance at Adam’s Park.

Rochdale, as expected, began the game on the back foot.  Frank Fielding was equal to Wycombe’s early opportunities, keeping a clean sheet that was vital to Rochdale’s fortunes for the day.  After 30 minutes, something strange happened.  Wycombe stopped being the side in the ascendancy as Rochdale began to dominate.  The Dale really needed the first goal if they were to take anything from this fixture, so this was a positive step in their attempts at securing some vital points.  Peter Taylor’s side are specialists in defending leads (and they are ALWAYS on Sky- Taylor has contacts), making them the antithesis of Rochdale and their free-flowing style.  Hopefully, in this division, a victory will be a triumph for good football as opposed to ‘grinding’, defensive football.  Unfortunately, they were so accomplished at grinding out results; it would take something special for Dale to break down the dogged defence.

After the break, something special arrived.  Well, Dale’s scrambled injury time winner was special from my perspective, just don’t expect it to challenge Van Basten’s volley.  With seconds remaining, Adam Rundle delivered the ball from the left into ‘the corridor of uncertainty’ (in between the defender and the ‘keeper), causing chaos.  In the confusion, Gary Madine managed to somehow bundle the ball to the waiting Le Fondre, who applied the finish and stole the points.  Madine, a tall, rangy striker, was making his first appearance for the Dale and making an excellent impression with his assist.  As I wasn’t present at this match, I’m looking forward to seeing him against Chesterfield in the week.  His contribution in this game improved Rochdale’s promotion hopes no end.  Previously, Wycombe and Brentford were adrift at the top with Rochdale in the chasing pack.  This victory keeps Rochdale at the head of that pack, while also bringing Wycombe closer.  The three points left Rochdale well in the automatic promotion picture, though their inconsistent ‘Jekyll-&-Hyde’ form if they are to have a hope.  This win must be built on.

With ‘squeaky-bum time’ fast approaching, wins like this are more than encouraging for Hill’s men.  With further promotion-chasing teams still to play Dale (including Chesterfield and Shrewsbury as well as the final day clash with Gillingham), results like this must be echoed.  Wednesday’s rearranged game at Saltergate is another difficult away game. Three points would leave Dale in prime position.  Surely, I would be asking too much for another three points there.  With the confidence from today’s victory, anything is possible!