We were scheduled to play Rochdale in December but because of a Covid outbreak in the Rochdale camp the game had to be called off, fingers crossed we have better luck this time round with the forecasted weather.
This is one of those games as an away fan you always look out for, not for the football as we have had some really poor games up at Spotlands, but it’s a proper old school stadium and a vibe about the place, but without doubt it’s the matchday chippy that sticks in most people’s minds as possibly the best-known football ground chip shop in the country. The Willbutts Lane venue is highly regarded by away day fans and it is a must visit on any trip to Rochdale.
The last time we played Rochdale was at SMK in January 2020 and was one of the last games before lockdown and PPG had to be brought in to decide the final league placings.
Ian Henderson scored for Dale early in the first half which was cancelled out by Carlton Morris shortly after the break with a rare headed goal from a Jordan Houghton corner. With fans heading for the exits deep into stoppage time, Healey was brought down in the box, and the Cardiff loanee picked himself up and slotted the penalty home (Pictured Above) giving the Dons their first win in three games and a bit of breathing space in 20th place in the league table.
So on to Tuesday night after a commendable draw against Sunderland, I wonder if it will be a memorable night with the return of Will Grigg.
Don’t forget, it’s a 7pm kick off.
THE SEASON SO FAR – Rochdale are currently sitting in 18th place in the League 1 table with a record of PLAYED 26, WON 6, DRAWN 8, LOST 12, GF 40 & GA 50 and that gives them 26 POINTS.
FORM AT A GLANCE – DDDLDLWL
HOME LEAGUE RESULTS 2020/21
ROCHDALE 0 CHARLTON 2
ROCHDALE 3 OXFORD 4
ROCHDALE 3 WIGAN 3
ROCHDALE 3 CREWE 3
ROCHDALE 1 GILLINGHAM 4
ROCHDALE 0 LINCOLN 2
ROCHDALE 1 NORTHAMPTON 1
ROCHDALE 0 AFCW 1
ROCHDALE 1 BRISTOL ROVERS 1
ROCHDALE 2 SUNDERLAND 2
ROCHDALE 0 HULL 3
ROCHDALE 2 FLEETWOOD 1
ROCHDALE 0 PORTSMOUTH 0
A HOME record of PLAYED 13, WON 1, DRAWN 6, LOST 6, GF 16 & GA 27.
YEAR OF FORMATION – 1907
CLUB NICKNAME – The Dale
HOME GROUND – Spotland Stadium (10,249)
THE MANAGER – Brian Barry-Murphy born in Cork; Ireland aged 42.
As a defensive midfielder his playing career started with hometown Cork City, with spells also at Preston North End, Southend United, Hartlepool United, Sheffield Wed, Bury and finally Rochdale in 2018. He played a total of 433 games scoring 17 goals and represented the Republic of Ireland at U21 level on two occasions.
Following the sacking of former Rochdale Manager Keith Hill at the tail end of the2018/19 season he was made the Caretaker Manager with the role being made permanent in the last week of April, giving him a two-year contract. This is his first managerial role and he currently sits with a record of GAMES 89, WON 29, DRAWN 22, LOST 38, giving him a slightly below average WIN RATIO of 32%.
FORMER MANAGERS – Rochdale have had 43 managers in their 113-year history, most notable previous incumbents include Harry Catterick, Bob Stokoe, Jimmy Greenhoff, Eddie Gray and John Hollins.
FORMER PLAYERS – Lee Duxbury, George Eastham, David Fairclough, Adam le Fondre, Brett Ormerod, Jordan Rhodes to name just a few.
PLAYED FOR BOTH – Clive Platt, Aaron Wilbraham, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Paul Butler, Kevin Long, Donal McDermott, Sanmi Odelusi and Scott Taylor.
FAMOUS FANS – Tommy Cannon (Comedian) and Lisa Stansfield (Singer). Incidentally in a survey from a few years back published in the Daily Mirror, Rochdale are said to have the longest suffering fans in English Football since the formation of the Football League back in 1888.
MATCH DAY MASCOT – Who knows why, but its Desmond the Dragon.
SHOOTERS BOOTS – Matty Lund with 10 goals in 25 matches.
CURRENT MATCH ODDS – Rochdale 31/10 Draw 12/5 MK Dons 11/12.
LAST TIME ROUND – MK Dons 2 Rochdale 1
Date – Tuesday 28th January 2020.
Team – Nicholls, Brittain, Williams, Moore-Taylor, Lewington, Houghton, Kasumu (Nombe), Thompson (Gladwin), Gilbey, Healey (Walsh), Morris,
Unused Subs – Poole, Agard, Moore, Asonganyi.
Goals – Henderson 16’, Morris 49’, Healey 93’
Referee – Charles Breakspear (5 Yellows)
Attendance – 6,393
HEAD 2 HEAD
2019/20 – MK Dons 2 Rochdale 1 (Morris, Healey)
2019/20 – Rochdale 2 MK Dons 0
2017/18 – Rochdale 0 MK Dons 0
2017/18 – MK Dons 3 Rochdale 2 (Ariyibi 2, Seager)
2016/17 – MK Dons 2 Rochdale 2 (Agard, Reeves)
2016/17 – Rochdale 0 MK Dons 1 (Wootton)
2014/15 – Rochdale 2 MK Dons 3 (Carruthers, Bowditch, Powell)
2014/15 – MK Dons 2 Rochdale 2 (Grigg, Green)
2011/12 – Rochdale 1 MK Dons 2 (O’Shea, Bowditch)
2011/12 – MK Dons 3 Rochdale 1 (Adam Smith, MacDonald, Beevers)
2010/11 – Rochdale 1 MK Dons 4 (Vine, Powell, S Baldock, Gleeson)
2010/11 – MK Dons 1 Rochdale 1 (Doumbe)
2007/08 – MK Dons 0 Rochdale 1
2007/08 – Rochdale 3 MK Dons 2 (Gallen 2)
2006/07 – Rochdale 5 MK Dons 0
2006/07 – MK Dons 2 Rochdale 1 (McLeod, Own Goal)
