Well it's a start isn't it? 

With that being my first Rochdale match since Scunthorpe at home, I can happily say that the last three fixtures I've been able to attend, have resulted in wins for the Dale. I bet you're all feeling a little bit jealous now. 

I was very much impressed with a few of the acquisitions I had yet to see. Last week I questioned the hype around young Harry Bunn on the messageboard, but now I see why. The City youngster was on fire yesterday, full of skill and PNE simply couldn't deal with him. However, I don't know if keeping him out wide every week will be effective, particularly on the left. He was forced to shift on to his right when a left winger would be able to whip in a cross, and if upcoming opponents are savvy enough to do their research, Bunn could be kept quiet if he is consistently used out wide. Having said that, he clearly has bags of talent and is certainly a great player to have at our club. 

Jordan and Holden also made the defence look a little more solid. Only 2 goals conceded in our last 3 games suggests that defensively, we are improving. Brian Barry-Murphy also put in a shift at left-back and I was really impressed with the Irishman, and felt he was one of our top performers on the day. If we can look to make Jordan and Holden permanent signings in January, I feel they could both end up being very useful players to have in our squad, and even our starting eleven. 

Whispers in the concourse before the game were that David Ball had turned up at Deepdale after being kept out of the Peterborough squad, and Steve Eyre mentioned the possibility of bringing him in to a few Daleys that had been around. Whilst we already have several options in the attacking areas of the pitch, make no mistake that David Ball would be an excellent acquisition, and could replace Bergkamp when the Dutchman returns to Brighton. Interest from Huddersfield could tempt him elsewhere, or maybe drive the asking price above what we can afford. 

There are still a few things to be ironed out. I really feel that our squad now is a very strong one at this level, but a few aspects of some players games need improving. Holness for example can be something of a liability in defence, but with the experience of Jordan behind him he may start to be able to iron out mistakes and continue to improve at the pace he did last season. Adams also, despite scoring the goal, was quite quiet. He often looked nervous when on the ball, and scared to beat his man, which is not the Adams we are used to seeing. I hope the former Bury man can gain a bit of confidence and return to the form that has before made him one of our better attacking players. 

I for one hope that this can inspire us on to a few more wins now with some confidence behind us. Does Eyre have the capability to turn this around? Only time will tell, but yesterday we certainly showed some ability and there were several encouraging signs, so for now I change my mind (for the third time in three weeks!), and say let's back Mr.Eyre! For now at least. 

Finally, a mention for Mr.Gary Jones who celebrated his 500 games for our club with his testimonial dinner last night. Gary Jones is Mr.Rochdale as far as the fans are concerned and deserves all the credit he receives for the service he has given to this club. Captain, Leader, Legend. 

You'll all be glad to know that hopefully, I'll be attending a lot more games over the next couple of months, as the Christmas break from Uni looms and I'm desperate to get to Bramhall Lane, though that depends on finances. With the luck I appear to have brought over my last 3 games, who knows, we could be pushing for the play-offs come mid-January... 

Photo: Action Images

geraldo added 11:44 - Nov 21 Glad you brought some good luck to the club....... I now realise that we are not going to get rid of SE so like you will now back him!! It is significant that our better performances have coincided with JK starting matches and now with BBM getting a run out we should stay more solid. However I would give Holness a rest and try Holden in the middle with Darby reinstated. If the rumour about Ball is true then Dunphy has to give Steve some money - at least what we got for COG.

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