Swindon head to rock bottom Rochdale this weekend in what most would expect to be a walk in the park, but could prove to be Jody Morris’ biggest challenge so far. There’s no disputing that neither club has had the season they wanted, Swindon fans expecting a promotion push and Rochdale fans expecting… well, anything but this.
Morris has managed just two wins from his opening eight games, so you would think a trip to Rochdale would be exactly what his side needs to keep alive any playoff hopes that still remain. Rochdale just need points, despite Crawley picking up three points last weekend, you would expect them to struggle against AFC Wimbledon and with Hartlepool facing high-flying Bradford this weekend, Rochdale will see this as the perfect opportunity to close the gap at the bottom.
Last time out, Swindon ran away 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Wakeling, Williams and Hibs man, Harry McKirdy.
We sat down with fans from either side to preview the game and get their thoughts. Joining us for Swindon is Fools Rush In panellist, Ben, and for Rochdale, we’re joined by Her Game Too representative Charlotte.
Thank you for joining us, guys. Let’s crack on;
What would you tell your opposition to expect going into the game?
B: I’d say Swindon are a possession-based team, very gifted technically. However, lack experience and physicality.
C: You will definitely score from a corner or a set piece, that’s been a problem not only this season but for many seasons now. That’s definitely without a doubt our weakness. We leak goals but most have them have been from a corner, sometimes I do wonder what happens in training because it’s a regular occurrence. We also really struggle just after half time, I have no idea why or what happens during the break but we struggle to get back into games and that’s when we often leak a goal!
How do you expect to line up?
B: Changes from the last game? I see a few, maybe a change in formation. The team is a bit disjointed at the minute, and we’re struggling to find the right balance. We made a few changes against Walsall recently and it did not work. So expect a few again. Saturday we could go 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2.
C: I personally think it will be a very similar side, if not the same as the one that played at Grimsby last Saturday. I personally think if there was any change, it would be Henderson that would come in for Rodney or Quigley. Hendo struggles to play every game now due to his age but if anybody was to score it would be him. I’m not sure which of the two he would come in for though, Rodney has been scoring goals and is our top goal scorer this season. Quigley had a good start but has struggled since his injury but his height is vital to the team.
Who would you consider the most significant danger in the team?
B: There’s the obvious in Charlie Austin but away from home I’d say the two fullbacks and Hepburn-Murphy.
C: It’s a tough one because there’s not really any particular stand-out player. But I would probably say Henderson and Rodney from a goal-scoring point of view. Danny Lloyd and Brierley and Lloyd have been doing a good job in midfield the last few games so their partnership and creativity have been massive for us. I would also say Mullarkey too, since his arrival in January he’s been our best player in most games. A quality defender that isn’t shy to go on runs with the ball and have a shot at goal.
How will the result of the game impact your season?
B: We’re currently six points from playoffs with a game in hand with 11 games left. On paper, a victory would be huge. The question if we are good enough to maintain a run of victories to push a playoff spot is another matter entirely.
C: This is massive for us, it’s not looking good as we are five points adrift from Crawley in 23rd spot. We have to win to try and maintain points on the teams just above us, anything but a win is not a good result. I also think Swindon are having a very frustrating season so far too, so this is a game that we are capable of getting something out of, considering we have had wins away at Bradford, a win at home against Stevenage, Salford and we should have beat Northampton.
Sum up your season so far.
B: Frustrating!
C: I don’t think I can say the words that I would use so I will say, dreadful, frustrating, disheartening and just disappointing. It’s just been miserable for us Rochdale fans, a lot of things going on both on and off the pitch, it’s just disappointing for us. It’s been a real struggle.
Pre-season expectations vs reality, how is it looking?
B: Underachieving!
C: I didn’t expect us to do brilliantly this season but I predicted us to be 14th/15th. I thought it was going to be another strange and frustrating season because we have completely had a rebuild, lost a lot of vital players to our team and we had just gotten over the hostile takeover saga. I really didn’t expect us to be in the position we are in now, on the pitch and financially.
Finally, predict the result.
B: Rochdale 0-1 Swindon.
C: I’m going to be optimistic and try and think positively. Both teams have been frustrating this season and as much as we are still bottom, we have been improving since the new arrivals in January. The home win against Stevenage has hopefully helped boost our momentum at home too, so I’m going to go for a 1-0 home win for us. I think it will be quite a bleak and frustrating game for both teams but I think we will just scrape it with a Devante Rodney goal.
Bonus question; where do you think your opposition will finish this season?
B: Pains me to say this as Swindon and Rochdale looked out for each other over our recent troubles. I have to say they will finish 24th. I hope they stay up though.
C: I think Swindon will finish 9th, they have games in hand on Sutton and Barrow who I personally think will tire and finish below Swindon. Apart from Saturday against us, I really hope they do well. Swindon fans have been a huge help for us in recent years whilst dealing with certain individuals that were linked with taking over our club, so I genuinely wish them nothing but the best. A great club with a great bunch of fans!
