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BIG ROCHDALE PREVIEW | |
| Date: 7th August |
| Kick-Off: 3pm |
| Venue: Whaddon Road |
| Background |
This Saturday the Robins, embark on their first historic season in the Football League, in what is bound to be an emotional afternoon Manchester based Rochdale are the opposition. As many feel that the difference between the third and the Conference as only minimal, people have compared Rochdale with a mid table conference team. However, despite being perenial strugglers and seen by many as the smallest of the ninety two leagues, optimism is high at Spotland. They have recently appointed former Mansfield boss Steve Parkin and have so far impressed in pre-season. Now the Dale are reported to be playing good attacking football, some are predicting them as outsiders for a play-off spot.
However, the Robins are odds on to collect their first league points of the season, with a 6000+ crowd expected plus 200 from Rochdale a great atmosphere should be inplace, so get down to Whaddon Road and support the lads to the play-offs!
However please remember with many people predicting a robins white wash, the Dale have been quietly preparing and with our recent record against the smaller teams a difficult afternoon may be in store, so don't get on the lads back.
| Team News |
Steve Cotterill is likely to stick with the same players that won the conference last year for the teams first match in the Nationwide League. However with key defenders Richard Walker and Micheal Duff both out injured Steve Cotterill defence looks like being his biggest headache. To get around this he is almost certain to switch to a 5-3-2 formation.
Likely Robins Line up:
