Dale are back on the road this week as we take on another former manager in Keith Hill’s Bolton Wanderers side.
Date: Saturday 19th October 2019
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: University of Bolton Stadium (Think it’s called that this week)
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THE DALE:
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Well, I don’t know about you lot but I’d missed that feeling of getting three points. A more than welcome 2-1 win over John Coleman’s (supposed football genius) Accrington Stanley put an end to Rochdale’s winless home record and an awful run of form. It will also have left Coleman crying into his birthday cake.
Ian Henderson edged nearer to Reg Jenkins’ goalscoring record with both goals in the game as well meaning he’s just 11 goals behind Jenkins now.
We also saw a debut for new signing Paul McShane and an impressive debut it was as well. He partnered the returning Eoghan O’Connell at the back and the former Bury centre back was outstanding on his return and was rightly awarded the Man of the Match award.
Rhys Norrington-Davies and Luke Matheson should both be back available after their international duties which may see Matt Done take a seat back on the bench for the weekend.
Saturday’s win over Accrington saw Dale climb to 17th in the league and are currently 4 points outside the relegation zone. Another win this weekend at Bolton will relieve a little bit of pressure. That said, Colin Murray from Quest’s EFL Highlights show informed us that they were presenting from Bolton this weekend and the omens were good for Bolton as the previous games they’d presented from all saw home wins. Let’s hope he’s talking rubbish!
This is the third time this season we’ll have faced Bolton with Dale hammering Bolton’s "youth team” in the Carabao Cup 5-2 and then drawing 1-1 after 90 minutes in the Auto Windcreens Paints Trophy. Dale managed to triumph on penalties. A third win would be very welcome.
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THE OPPOSITION:
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Another week, another former manager in charge of the opposition. While John Coleman isn’t exactly fondly remembered by Dale fans, the same cannot be said about the Bolton Wanderers manager.
Keith Hill, while it may have ended with a sacking, should still go down as the greatest manager we have ever had and his achievements at Dale have never been close to being matched and may never be matched again.
In taking over Bolton this summer, he also became reunited with assistant manager David Flitcroft and "Hillcroft” was resurrected.
The Bolton story could be an article on it’s own so I won’t go into it too much but their plight didn’t quite end up the same as Bury and they managed to start the season, and continue, albeit starting on -12 points and currently still lie on -8 without a win in their first 10 league games. In fairness, they were having to name their Under 7’s squad in the opening fixtures with everybody from supporters to BBC Radio Manchester/Bolton pleading for someone to think of the children.
Hillcroft took over the reigns from Phil Parkinson and another ex Dale boss Steve Parkin and began work on trying to assemble a squad in rapid time. It must have been like real life Football Manager. Among others, Hill managed to bring in Liam Bridcutt and Jake Wright on loan from Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United respectively and brought three familiar faces in as well in the form of Will Buckley, Chris O’Grady and Joe Bunney. The latter two have yet to make an appearance.
Despite having yet to win this season, their form has seen a slight upturn in that they’ve picked up three draws in their last five league games. Their form is sure to pick up at some point, but we’d appreciate it not happening just yet.
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FORM BOOK - LAST 5 GAMES:
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Rochdale:
Accrington Stanley (h) - WIN
AFC Wimbledon (a)- LOSS
Wycombe Wanderers (h) - LOSS
Fleetwood Town (a) - LOSS
Lincoln City (h) - DRAW
Bolton Wanderers:
Blackpool (h) - DRAW
Portsmouth (a) - LOSS
Sunderland (h) - DRAW
Oxford United (h) - DRAW
Rotherham United (a) - LOSS
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HEAD TO HEAD:
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ROCHDALE - 3
DRAWS - 5
BOLTON WANDERERS — 7
01/10/19 Rochdale 1-1 Bolton EFL Trophy (Dale win on pens)
13/08/19 Rochdale 5-2 Bolton Carabao Cup
14/02/17 Bolton 1-0 Rochdale League One
27/09/16 Rochdale 1-0 Bolton League One
05/12/92 Bolton 4-0 Rochdale FA Cup