Rochdale (H) League One 10 Feb, 7.45pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

Consecutive games of bumping into old friends.....it was Andy Butler at Doncaster, and we have the perhaps dubious pleasure of Febian Brandy's company as Rochdale come to the Banks's's' on Tuesday. It's likely that Olly Lancashire will also figure for 'Dale who are handily placed for a charge towards the play-offs, sitting in 8th place with 38 points and two games in hand over us. Their current League One form is a bit patchy though - in the last 10 games they've only picked up 12 points (against our 15) but their attack is not to be sniffed at, having scored 47 goals so far. You may recall that 4 of those goals were against Richard O'Donnell in the corresponding League One match at Spotland, a performance so poor that Dean Smith had the players in on their day off to try and see where it all went wrong. We won't see a repeat of one of those goals (the Andy Butler o.g.), but we will need to keep a firm grip on Febian Brandy and avoid heavy tackles anywhere near the box. Rochdale's current League One form:

20 Dec Notts County (H) Drew 2-2
26 Dec Scunthorpe United (A) Lost 2-1
28 Dec Fleetwood (H) Lost 0-2
10 Jan Bradford City (A) Won 1-2
17 Jan Crawley (H) Won 4-1
31 Jan Coventry City (A) Drew 2-2

One player who won't show up on Tuesday night is Rochdale's top scorer Matt Done, who signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Sheffield United in the transfer window a week ago - he had 14 goals to his name. As far as the Walsall teamsheet is concerned it will be too soon for Tom Bradshaw's return, but after the re-jigged forward line's showing at Doncaster it may not be an insurmountable problem. Competition for places is usually a good thing.....

It's a difficult one to forecast - Rochdale's away form is actually pretty good, they've only lost 4 away League One games (at Chesterfield, Sheffield United, Port Vale and Scunthorpe) and they did win 2-3 at Swindon. Couple that with our inconsistent home form, and the game has all the makings of a draw, hopefully. However, I'll keep my optimistic hat on and go for a 1-0 home win and I really don't care who gets the final touch - let's say Grimes, to double his tally for the season..... :D

[SoccerHQ]

Just don't play O'Connor at RB for this....Vicenti completely destroyed him in the away game.

Dale have been brilliant this season although will probably just fizzle out and miss out on top 6, tough game.

Another frustrating 1-1 awaits.

[clawtheolder]

Will they have a window open at the ticket Office for this and Saturdays game Monday.

[Soton Saddler]

Our bump game after a good win over Doncaster.
Regardless of recent form I'm hoping we're gearing up now for a top 6 onslaught.

Walsall 3 - 0 Rochdale (Downing, Sawyers, Grimes,)

UTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! C'mon!

[Louise]

Looking foward to watching this one and having my usual Tuesday night row to myself to stretch my legs;)
Time we changed our home form, think 2-0 to the Saddlers with new loanee Striker grabbling both .

[kshammer]

This Rochdale player will delighted to turn up at a posh town like what ours is.

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-hery-sorry-dale-slur-140229115--sow.html

[BathSaddler]

We're not very good at home and they are very good away from home, precisely the same scenario prior to our visit to Doncaster on Saturday. So, a 2-1 defeat for us, with Forde getting our goal, in front of 3,404.

[Derbyshire Saddler]

This is a very different team compared to the one that lost 4-0 earlier in the season. With the Hiwula effect from the bench I'll go for 3-1 to us - Grimes, Forde & Hiwula. 3,601

[tinned]

Are we still playing league games this season? Now we've got to Wembley I presumed all league games would be cancelled :?

[Derbyshire Saddler]

Are we still playing league games this season? Now we've got to Wembley I presumed all league games would be cancelled :?

I know, this league malarky is just getting in the way :D

[aaaae]

And shouldn't every thread title end in the "W" word? "Rochdale (H) League One 10 Feb, 7.45pm - Wembley"

[paddy]

1-1 tonight, grimes to score for us

[ShyTallKnight]

Whoever scores first will get at least one goal. :oops:

[BarnsleySaddler]

Whoever scores first will get at least one goal. :oops:

Would that be true if it was an own goal :?: :wink:

[Super Gabor]

I love the humour on this site :D

[ws9swift]

saddlers 2-0 rochdale cain and hiwula in front of 3346

[paddy]

Jordi starts and grimes on the bench

[Welsh_Saddler]

Starting line-up against Rochdale:

O'Donnell

Purkiss
Downing
O'Connor
Taylor

Cain
Chambers
Forde
Sawyers

Cook
Hiwula

Substitutes: MacGillivray, Baxendale, Preston, Flanagan, Grimes, Henry, Murphy

Brandy nowhere to be seen, but Ollie Lancashire starts for the 'Dale.

We are the bookies' favourites at 13/10, The Draw 9/4 and a Rochdale win 21/10 :D

[gerryhatrick]

It'll do Mick Kearns' head in tonight, deciding between O'Donnell, O' Connell and O'Connor

[Welsh_Saddler]

It'll do Mick Kearns' head in tonight, deciding between O'Donnell, O' Connell and O'Connor

I bet he's not too good at Hiwula-Mayifuila either....... :D

[Welsh_Saddler]

Elsewhere, early goings-on in Derbyshire....Chesterfield down to 10 men after 2 minutes against Preston (Hird red-carded)

And an early goal gives Barnsley a 1-0 lead over Fleetwood, which may just push us up to 11th place....

Also Sheffield United 1 Colchester United 0 (7 min)

Oldham Athletic 2 Swindon Town 0 (12 min)

[Welsh_Saddler]

WE HAVE THE LEAD !!!!!!!!!! 1-0 details to follow (O'Connor header, following a corner..... 13 min) :D :D :D

As it stands, we're 9th in the table, 3 points from the play-offs.

[chestersaddler]

Wehey, wahoooo

[Welsh_Saddler]

Would you believe 2-0 ????????????? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Forde, right foot shot, Sawyers assist......

[SaddlerCrewe]

2 - 0 Forde

[DavidWFC2010]

2-0, Forde :shock:

[IHTC.]

Sexy Football :D

Forde is turning into a right little Gem

[chestersaddler]

Double weyhey, wahoo

[BarnsleySaddler]

What`s going on? 2-0 at home. Up and at em lads think of the goal difference. :D :D

[DavidWFC2010]

3-0, is this right or am I dreaming? Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila