TEAM PREVIEW: Rochdale – Shaun Reid seems bright future ahead

 

Like their counterparts who shared League Two promotion in 2014, Rochdale also challenged the top ten of the table, just missing out on a spot in the play-offs, taken by Chesterfield. Under the experience of Keith Hill, Rochdale can make another push for Championship status this season.

Last Season: League One (8th)

Manager: Keith Hill

 

Squad

GKs: Josh Lillis, Johny Diba, Steve Collis
DFs: Joe Rafferty, Rhys Bennett, James McNulty, Ashley Eastham, Oliver Lancashire, Scott Tanser, Michael Rose, Tom Kennedy
MFs: Peter Vincenti, Matty Lund, Brian Barry-Murphy, Jamie Allen, Joel Logan, Andy Cannon, Callum Camps
FWs: Calvin Andrew, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Noble-Lazarus, Donal McDermott, Nyal Bell, Joe Bunney, Ian Henderson

 

Transfers

In: Lewis Alessandra (Plymouth Argyle), Donal McDermott (Ramsbottom United), James McNulty (Bury)

Out: Febian Brandy (Released), Stephan Dawson (Scunthorpe United), Bastien Hery (Carlisle United), Sean McGinty (Aldershot Town), Jack Muldoon (Lincoln City)

 

First Six: Peterborough United (H), Blackpool (A), Walsall (H), Chesterfield (A), Barnsley (H), Fleetwood Town (A)

Likely Lineup: (5-3-2) Lillis – Bennett, McNulty, Lancashire, Kennedy, Tanser – Vincenti, Lund, Logan – Alessandra, Henderson

 

 

A word from…Shaun Reid

On his time at the club It’s a club that I hold close to my heart, I bought a house there and I loved my time there, the people are fantastic.

I think the football club when I went there were struggling and we went through some lean times, one season we went to the last day to stay in the league and I was only a baby in those days! But progressively the club has grown and the chairman has done a great job, he’s put them on the straight and narrow and put the club in the right direction.

On long-term planning They’ve done that on the basis of building a foundation, you’ve only got to look at the likes of Portsmouth, they won the FA Cup in 2008 and look where they are now! Rochdale have done things right, it’s a community club, people want to identify with football clubs and it’s something not many clubs do, they alienate people.

From what I can gather Rochdale still seems to be that family club and that’s massively important.

On Keith Hill It gives you another perspective on what the club’s about, far from me to speak about other clubs but again they’ve put their faith in Keith and fair play to him he’s done a fantastic job over there.

It’s a constant run of academy players coming through too, all due respect to Rochdale they’re never going to be big in the transfer market and that’s just the nature of the beast. But what they can do is create their own, I’ve banged the drum about it for years, why do you have to go out and buy the best kids?

There are kids out there and football will never change in the community, it’s massive among the youth and there are kids out there who can produce, all you’ve got to do is watch, you’ve got to be brave and be patient but use Rochdale as the yardstick, look at what they’ve got coming through now, it’s working.

On pushing on I probably did the worst thing a player at Rochdale can do and went and signed for Bury but Rochdale is the team that’s stayed close to my heart and to see them where they are now is fantastic, it’s a world away from where they were back then.

Listen, the Championship is within touching distance for them and they’re always looking to improve. I think everything looks bright and rosy for them, I’m sure the everyday running is difficult because finances are always tight but they’ve got a respected manager who gets his players playing for them. That’s proved successful and long may it continue.

 

The Offside Rule Podcast Prediction: Keith Hill is vastly experienced and had no issues bringing his time up a level last season. With his key players still in place and a few new faces brought in, it could be another good season. You do feel they might need one or two more fresh faces to really challenge though.

Key Player: Peter Vincenti – The midfielder was a rock down the centre of the pitch for Rochdale last season and was a constant in a team that adapted nicely to League One. If he can hit similar form this season, he’ll be crucial to any hopes they have.

One to Watch: Andy Cannon – The 19-year-old made a break into the first team last season, earning his debut back in September. 18 appearances later and Cannon will surely go fro strength to strength and make more appearances this season.