injury battered Huddersfield Town head over the Pennines to visit Rochdale at Spotland
Rochdale have made a bright start to life in league one, with only Colchester handing them defeat at Spotland this season so far, something that Town manager Lee Clark will be looking to copy.
Vital Quotes:
Lee Clark told the Club’s official website.
‘We put the Swindon game to bed quite quickly – straight after the game we talked about it and we continued that for a little bit of yesterday. Teams that are successful will lose a game here and there, but it’s about how you react. It’s good that we have a game so quickly, as it gives us another opportunity to get three points,’
‘I felt that the defensive side of the game was very good on Saturday and we had to defend quite a lot as we didn’t keep hold of the ball as well as we like, but unfortunately over the course of ninety minutes they will get an opportunity and their lad scored a terrific header – if any of my lads scored that goal, I would think it was tremendous. You have to hold your hands up sometimes and he beat one of our lads in the air before heading it in the only place he could to score.
‘We have to move on now. We’ve looked at the game to understand what we could do better and we will be looking to put that into action tonight.’
‘When we’ve been successful this season, we have done it by playing the football I want us to play and in the style that the players enjoy. It is important that we play good football, but away from home you have to win the battle first and foremost to get a foothold in the game. When we have the ball, we have to use it better.’
‘I think it’s a very similar scenario to the Notts County game at the start of the season, but Rochdale have carried that on and started well. They have only lost one game this season and are playing attractive football to get good results, so we know it’s going to be tough. However, we have to make sure we do our job properly and hope that gets us the result.’
I expect the atmosphere will be very similar to the Stockport game last season and we want to put on a show for our travelling supporters. However, getting the result is the most important thing.’
Rochdale Team News:
Deane Smalley looks likely to be on the bench again despite making his debut last week from the bench!
Scott Wiseman remains on the injured list, whilst Keith Hill has an otherwise full squad to choose from.
Player to watch: Gary Jones
Has started the season brightly and has 4 goals to his name already!
Huddersfield Town Team News:
Gary Roberts is ruled out with a broken arm, whilst Scott Arfield will face a late fitness test.
Gary Naysmith, Nathan and Tom Clarke also remain long term absentees.
Player to watch: Anthony Pilkington
The talented winger is expected to start in the absence of Roberts, a performance like at Notts County wouldn’t go a miss!
Match Facts & Stats
Rochdale have never beaten Town in 14 league fixtures in their history.
Match Prediction:
Mystic24 is going for:-
Rochdale 2 – 3 Town
Next Fixtures:
Bristol Rovers 2/10/10 (H)
Peterborough 5/10/10 (H) JPT
Colchester U 9/10/10 (A)
A poor result for Town tonight – although its early in the season, looks like its going to be difficult for Town if they don’t improve sharpish.
very poor, and not impressed by clarks comments, a man under pressure now for sure
Yeah disappointing that one. I would have been happy with a point before hand to be honest (as per my prediction), but as robin says its still early in the season. A comfortable win against Bristol would calm some supporters nerves but easier said than done
pressure will be on saturday, i can see a scrappy performance coming up 1-0 win for Town