| When we wrote
our initial player profile of Sam Russell, we wrote about
how he ended up at Spotland almost by accident. He came to
the club on the opening day of the 2007-8 season, signing
forms having left Darlington earlier that Summer. A number
of potential moves over that Summer failed to materialise
and he was left without a club heading into the season
before being offered a week to week deal by Dale. That
contract was increased to a short term deal as the August
transfer window closed, but it wasn't till an injury to
first choice keeper James Spencer on the even of our FA Cup
tie at Southend that Russell was given the chance to make
the first team jersey his own.
His arrival in the first team helped spark a huge
improvement in form, especially in defence, and within a
couple of appearances it was clear that Russell wasn't going
to give his shirt up without a fight.
He attracted much praise for his shot stopping but
perhaps unusually for a goalkeeper, it was his distribution
that was much admired. Here we had a keeper who seemed to
have one eye permanently looking out for our attackers, and
he kickstarted many an attack. But make no mistake, this was
no John Beck style long ball football, for Russell had the
ability to pass the ball 60 yards plus rather than hoof it
that far and hope for the best.
We had a goalkeeper with the feet of Le Tissier, and he
was rightly rewarded with another new contract. But just
when he looked settled in the side, injury struck and a
thumb injury saw him miss the final few months of the
season, including the trip to Wembley in the Play Offs.
After overcoming those injury problems in the Summer of
2008, things were looking very good for Sam. With the new
contract under his belt, manager Keith Hill showed faith in
the former Darlo keeper by switching Russell's squad number
with that of fellow keeper James Spencer. An unusual move
with any player, but with goalkeepers, this was a very
public backing by giving Russell the number one jersey at
the club.
The second season seemed to be going fine again for
Russell, with a string of fine displays early in the season.
However as the season moved, the lack of clean sheets kept
by the club became a concern and questions were being asked.
Russell had been described as unlucky throughout the
season, given the number of fantastic saves that he made
only to see the rebound land at the feet of an opponent, but
as this continued, questions were raised as to whether this
was a coincidence or something more serious.
The team seemed unable to go a single game without
conceding, and Russell can certainly count himself
unfortunate to be the one cast aside in a bid to eradicate
the number of goals we were letting in, and in January 2009,
he lost his place in the first team to on loan Frank
Fielding. Russell didn't play for Dale again after this.
Having been relegated to back up keeper during this time,
and rumours of a return of a former goalkeeper to Spotland,
it was no surprise to anyone that Russell was released at
the end of the 2008-9 season.
Some will say that he did very little wrong during his
time at the club, and most would probably agree that he was
probably too good a keeper to remain at the club as mere
back up. Either way, he leaves Spotland and will be warmly
remembered for his time with the club. Summer replacements
will dictate whether he will be missed or not.
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