Rochdale vs Aldershot - Match Preview

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 24 October 2008

Keith Hill did not spend much time revelling in the glory of his Rochdale side's 6-1 victory over Chester in midweek. As soon as the final whistle blew he began concentrating on the task in hand, tomorrow's game against Aldershot and the chance for Dale to lift themselves into the League Two play-off positions.

"From the final whistle on Tuesday it has been a case of all systems go for Aldershot on Saturday," Hill said.

The Dale manager is likely to field the same eleven that were rampant against an awful Chester side and will once again put his faith in the two young wingers that were so impressive in helping Dale to six goals. Hill singled out Joe Thompson and Will Buckley for praise after the game.

"It is frightening how good they can be," said Hill. "But it is also frightening that they might be attracting the attention from bigger clubs.

"I honestly believe that Will Buckley could be a Premiership player. I guess we will know by the time he is 26 or so whether he has made it and whether I was right.

"The future is bright for him but everyone has to realise that he is not the end product yet."
Thompson was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Chester but he was influential in three of the goals, while Buckley set up one and scored his fourth goal of the season.

The two teenagers will be looking to work their magic once more against an Aldershot who were themselves on the receiving end of a battering in midweek as they went down 5-1 at Chesterfield.

The game is sure to be an open affair as Aldershot, despite a recent run of bad results, have a penchant for attacking football. Dale are sure to carve out plenty of chances if they can recreate their attacking play of Tuesday night but they have not kept a clean sheet since the opening day of the season and Aldershot are sure to find chances themselves if they do not retreat into their shells after their midweek hammering.

The Shots' defeat at Chesterfield was followed by an apology to the club's fans from manager Gary Waddock, who promised that his side will get better as the season progresses. Waddock said sorry face-to-face with the travelling support as he went into the away end at Saltergate to apologise for Aldershot's performance.

Waddock's men have not won on their travels since an opening day victory at Accrington and he knows that they must improve their away form fast. He told the club's official website: "The players have to show desire and commitment. I don't want to be playing any side who look hungrier than we do in any match.

"We know what Rochdale are capable of. To be honest I wish we could have played them on Thursday. The sooner that we can get out into a game situation then the sooner we can get this slight problem out of the way. Rochdale scored six goals on Tuesday and let's hope they have scored their quota for the week."

The game at Spotland kicks off at 3pm. Everyone is welcome and can pay on the gate to see Dale go for back to back wins and boost themselves up to the business end of the League Two table.