Bolton make the short trip over to Spotland for a local derby tomorrow night. Wanderers are now five without a win in the league now, a run which is not good enough to be honest.
Various ailments and niggles are also affecting the camp, with possibly three of the back four missing for the match.
Rochdale are 19th in the table, this could be a chance to get that first win of September. But then again, Walsall were in a similar position in the table.
Vital Quotes:
‘The clean sheet mentality is important as everybody knows as we go along through the season. We need to build on that point’
Phil Parkinson focusing on the positive from Saturday. Note the singular.
Rochdale Team News:
Rochdale should have an unchanged squad, whether they make changes to starting lineup. Unlikely though, given their away win on Saturday.
Player to watch: Steve Davies
Not a prolific goalscorer but very experienced, having played for Derby and Blackpool in the Championship. He actually played for Phil Parkinson last season at Bradford, scoring five goals in 25 appearances. He has yet to score for Dale, making two appearances since signing at the start of this season.
While we’re on players to watch, Sanmi Odelusi is on loan at Spotland from Wigan, but has yet to make an appearance. Bank on either to score, because law of the ex.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Where do we start? Lewis Buxton, David Wheater and Mark Beevers could all be missing, meaning a centre-back partnership of Derik and Tom Thorpe would pick itself.
Keshi Anderson will be back from suspension though, so we might have one forward who can pass to a white shirt.
Josh Vela was unwell on Saturday too. Some good news th
Player to watch: Derik
He hasn’t really featured under Phil Parkinson, but chances are we’ll see him in some capacity tomorrow. Let’s hope he is ready if so. And that it isn’t at right back either.
Match Facts & Stats
Rochdale won 3-2 at Millwall on Saturday
We have played Rochdale six times in League football. We have never lost.
However, all three games at Spotland finished in a draw.
This is our first competitive game with Rochdale since 1992. On that occasion we beat them 4-0 at Burnden in the FA Cup second round.
Match Prediction:
A 1-0 win for Bolton. Surely we have to win again at some point.
Next Fixtures:
At home to Oxford on Saturday, then again at home to Blackpool in the Trophy on Tuesday