Rochdale v Peterborough Preview

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Amidst rallying cries from the chairman, Keith Hill being named League Two manager of the month, initiatives to get fans to flock to Spotland and striker Lee Thorpe signing at the eleventh hour on transfer deadline day, Rochdale are ready for a play-off six pointer against Peterborough tomorrow (3pm).

After victories in four consecutive away games Rochdale return to the scene of their last defeat, against Lincoln, in the hope of bringing their home form into line with what they have achieved on their travels.

A win against high-flying Peterborough will affirm Dale’s promotion credentials and chairman Chris Dunphy has appealed to the town to turn up en masse to see what is, on paper, the match of the day in League Two.

Thanks to their FA Cup exploits Peterborough have not played away from home in the league yet this year but arrive at Spotland in high spirits following wins at home against Rotherham on Tuesday and a remarkable 8-2 victory over Accrington Stanley.

Peterborough brought Dale down to earth with a bump on the opening day of the season with an emphatic 3-0 win. Since that day in August Rochdale have not lost on the road and their hopes of avenging that defeat are high. Whatever the outcome, it promises to be some game.

Rochdale will be forced into making one change from the side that hammered Chester in midweek. Striker Rene Howe is on loan from Peterborough and as a result will not be allowed to play against them. That leaves the door open for new signing Lee Thorpe to come straight into the starting line-up alongside Adam Le Fondre.

Thorpe was signed from Brentford late last night on a deal that runs until the end of the season. The striker is keen for first team football and showed his desire by buying himself out of an 18 month contract with the London club so that he could sign for Dale on a free transfer.

Visiting manager Darren Ferguson faces a selection headache in central midfield having been unable to land a signing before the transfer window closed. Dean Keates will take up one of the midfield berths but it is unknown who will join him, with Micah Hyde injured and Charlie Lee suspended.

New signing Scott Mitchell or Tommy Williams are among the favourites to deputise but regardless of who joins Keates, Peterborough will ceratinly have the personnel available to complete a double over the Dale. Defender Chris Westwood returned from a seven week injury lay off in the win over Rotherham, completing Posh’s first choice defensive partnership alongside Craig Morgan.

At the other end of the pitch Aaron McLean and Craig Mackail-Smith have 40 goals between them in all competitions and the battle between them and the in form Rochdale defence is sure to engross. Rory McArdle has been immense in helping Rochdale to four consecutive wins but he will be hard pressed to keep the pacy McLean and the all round ability of Mackail-Smith quiet.

Results to Watch

Rochdale could move to fourth in the division as a win would take them above Peterborough and they would overtake Hereford if they fail to take points from their visit to Rotherham in what is another massive game at the business end of the table. Chesterfield lie just above Dale on goal difference and should beat struggling Chester at home. Rochdale’s other playoff rivals, Wycombe and Morecambe, face trips to Accrington and Barnet respectively.