So, after our almost disastrous end to season 2011/12, we are just days away from a new campaign.
The pre-season friendlies - as pointless as ever - have done little to ease the fears of many a Reds supporter.
It seemed throughout last season, that Keith Hill had two remits - to make sure Barnsley still had a second tier club, and to get the fanbase to believe/understand that we were overachieving just by being here. Well, I think it's safe to suggest that Keith (and BFC) succeeded on both counts.
Never can I recall a more pessimistic mood heading into the start of a new season.
Our first competitive fixture then, takes us to an all too familiar venue for some. The new season sees us kicking off not in a league game, but in the first round of the newly branded 'Capital One' League Cup, away at Rochdale.
I imagine the Dale supporters were more excited by the draw than we were, but no doubt the 'Hillcroft' factor brings added spice to the fixture, even for us Reds fans.
The duo's eventual decision to cross the Pennines last summer, certainly angered many Rochdale supporters. I likened it at the time, to when we ourselves lost Danny Wilson to Sheffield Wednesday. Keith Hill was their messiah, as Danny was ours. So I could definitely relate to them, sympathise even.
But that was over a year ago now, and they do say time is a healer....
THE OPPOSITION
After Hillcroft's departure, Rochdale supremo Chris Dunphy, appointed Manchester City youth coach Steve Eyre as new manager. Unfortunately, his tenure was brief, as he lasted just 27 competitive games, and recorded only 4 league victories.
Initially, he was replaced by caretaker manager Chris Beech. But on the 24th of January this year, current manager John Coleman was installed, leaving Accrington Stanley, a club he'd served for over a decade.
The new manager got off to a great start as Rochdale thumped local rivals Bury 3-0 in Coleman's first match in charge. However, it seems the rot had already set in at Spotland, and Coleman could do little to avert relegation.
Without meaning to be disrespectful, I think Rochdale are back at their true level. They have spent most of their 105 year history in the 4th tier.
They have been promoted just twice - in 1969 and 2010. And it's probably fair to assume that the last decade or so has been their most successful.
It does need pointing out though, that Rochdale were beaten finalists in this competition in 1962. Indeed, they are the only club from the basement division to have ever reached the final of a major cup competition. A record I reckon could well stand the test of time.
| Rochdale 'gaffer' John Coleman |
THE GAFFER
As a player, John Coleman never got further than non-league football. As a manager, while he may have begun in the non-leagues, his success at Accrington Stanley saw him finally become part of the Football League.
The scouser's near 13 year spell at the Crown Ground saw the club promoted as champions on three occasions, eventually to League Two in 2006.
Up until his move to Rochdale, Coleman was England's third longest serving manager, behind only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
THE PLAYERS
A lesser person would use this juncture to remark upon the amount of Rochdale players that King Keith has recruited. But to be fair him, it's players with Dale links that he's endlessly signing. Only Scott Wiseman and Matty Done have made direct moves to Oakwell.
| Veteran frontman Dele Adebola, a recent Rochdale addition |
Goalkeeper Josh Lillis however, is one of the more noticeable members of the squad. The former Scunthorpe stopper has spent time at Spotland previously, in loan spells, and manager Coleman has signed him permanently.
Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy is still there, having joined the club in the summer of 2010, after a six year spell at rivals Bury.
Ex Liverpool trainee Peter Cavanagh should form part of their defence. The former Accrington stalwart having teamed back up with Coleman, signing on a free this June. Back in 2009, he was banned from competitive football for eight months along with four other teammates. He'd apparently put a fiver on his own team losing against Bury (which they did).
Another defender has recently arrived in Greater Manchester. 18 year old Ryan Edwards has joined on loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers. He captained the Ewood Park outfits youth team to the FA Youth Cup final last season.
After a season spent on loan at non-league Hyde, teenage striker Reece Gray looked set for first team football back at Dale. But unfortunately for him, the lad suffered a horrific injury in a behind closed-doors friendly game with Liverpool recently. He's set for a six month spell on the sidelines.
Likely to be involved this weekend up front for Rochdale will be former Manchester City youth player Ashley Grimes. Now 25, the striker will be keen to cement his place in the Dale starting eleven, having scored a dozen goals last season.
He could be partnered in attack by new signing Dele Adebola. No stranger to Reds fans, Adebola has vast experience at a much higher level and even at 37 years old he could prove a canny acquisition for Coleman. The former Coventry and Birmingham forward has always troubled the Barnsley backline over the years.
| Tutte - Key Player |
KEY MAN
Another former Manchester City youngster is in my opinion the player to watch for Rochdale.
21 year old midfielder Andrew Tutte established himself as a key player for Dale last season. Brought in by his former mentor at City, Steve Eyre, Tutte was one of the standout performers in the clubs vain attempt to preserve their third tier status.
His goal in a 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town was voted as Goal of the Season at the clubs end of season awards evening. An hardworking yet creative player, his assumed battle with former Spotland favourite David Perkins will be one to watch.
THE FANS POINT OF VIEW
I always find it interesting to get the thoughts of the opposing clubs supporters before a fixture, and for obvious reasons I was doubly keen this time around.
I dropped the Dale fans a thread on their own forum, and they were more than helpful, answering a variety of questions I put to them.
Here are a selection of their thoughts....
What went wrong last season for Rochdale?
"Everything, Rochdale lost their passion, and poor man-management."
"We lost a great manager and replaced him with someone completely out of his depth."
"Terrible managerial appointment after Hill, and losing and not replacing two of our best players of recent years in Craig Dawson and Chris O'Grady."
"Too many things to count. Hillcroft leaving and taking some of our key players. O'Grady leaving, Eyre coming in and signing a tonne of substandard players, Beech being given too long when Coleman should have been signed straight away, Neal Trotman."
"STEVE EYRE. Totally clueless and should have been done by trade descriptions for impersonating a football manager!"
"Steve Eyre, and too many loan players."
"Steve Eyre - should have followed his Dad into the stationary industry, not the footballing."
"The manager chosen to replace Hill and Flitcroft wasn't up to the task, players that needed replacing weren't, and once the rot set in it was almost impossible for Coleman to turn it around."
"Losing Hill/Flitcroft/O'Grady, then starting the season with Steve 'never never ever should have got the job' Eyre, who dismantled everything Hillcroft did, and wrecked the playing side of the club."
"The root cause of what went wrong was the Board's hapless approach to replacing Keith Hill. First, they appointed an inexperienced manager, Steve Eyre, who proved to be out of his depth. They then showed terrible indecision for a month refusing to state whether a manager, Chris Beech, they had appointed was a caretaker or not. As the January transfer window closed John Coleman was appointed. They should have skipped to this final step back before the season had started."
What are your hopes for the season ahead?
"Outside chance of a play-off spot."
"Top ten finish."
"Top half, maybe a playoff challenge."
"Top half with hopefully a flirtation with the playoffs."
"I hope we can be in the play-off mix. I'd be absolutely delighted if we finish in the top 10. Realistically however, I think we'll do well to finish in the top half."
"Still in with a chance of the play-offs at the beginning of April, a season of attractive football and consolidation after the shambles of last season."
"Playoffs."
"Mid-table finish with the emergence of a few good young talents. Plus a return of actually looking forward to matches."
"Not expecting much but won't go down."
"Ask again at the end of the first transfer window. We have a decent but
thin squad. Unproven defence and lack of natural widemen could be an
issue. I would be happy with a solid top half finish and not selling
those who shine."
"Outside playoff chances would be nice, around 9th I reckon."
"Mid-table is a realistic expectation. Helmed by a manager who is proven
at League 2 level and with a team which is, for the most part, loyal to
him, we should have enough to avoid relegation. Looking at the squad
size a promotion push would be a big ask."
What do you think to John Coleman?
"Jury still out, now he has his own players in it will be easier to judge."
"Mind not really made up yet but relatively impressed. Relegation hurt
him. He will be judged on his players, which are now in place."
"I don't blame Coleman for last season's relegation he inheritated a
squad of mainly poor players and squad whose few decent players had
their confidence completely shot by the shambles of the season up until
Coleman's arrival. I believe the squad had already given up on survival
by the time Coleman had arrived."
"Wanted him as soon as Hill left. I don't think much to the signings he's
made but he definitely knows how to get the best out of players, and
definitely the best out of most of the players he's signed. I think he
will be a good manager for us, I hope he can prove it in the first few
months of this season."
"Old school, fighter, won't put up with players not trying and always
seems to have the look of a bulldog chewing a wasp, but I think he is
just what we need at this point in time!"
"A stark contrast to Hill. Experienced at League 2 and plays an old
fashioned brand of football. Where Hill led a youth movement, Coleman
has generally prefered to sign experienced players he has worked with
previously."
Which players should we look out for?
"Andrew Tutte."
"Not telling as you lot will probably tap them up for Oakwell."
"Ashley Grimes - If he's in the mood then he is possibly the best
finisher that I've seen in a Rochdale shirt in over 25 years of watching
Dale. 12 goals and our top scorer last season despite hardly figuring
in the starting XI for over half the season."
"Ashley Grimes has great goalscoring ability. He knows where the net is
and gets himself in the right positions a lot. If he works hard and
stays injury-free this season I am very confident he will get 20+ goals.
Andrew Tutte and Jason Kennedy are a pretty industrious central
midfield pairing too. Can't tell you about any of the new players as
I've not been to any of the friendlies."
"Ashley Grimes & Ryan Edwards."
"Grimes and Tutte."
"I would have said Reece Gray but unfortunately he was badly injured last
weekend, but Grimes can pop up out of nowhere and score important
goals."
"On his day Ashley Grimes is a fantastic finisher of the ball. Jason Kennedy is a quality, consistent central midfielder."
"Andrew Tutte - A player who, when given his chance, stood up to be
counted in the relegation fight where others didn't seem to care. One of
the few players who showed any creativity or dynamism as we battled for
League 1 survival"
How do you feel towards Hillcroft, 14 months on?
"They'll always be legends for promoting Rochdale to League One but it'll always be wrong of them walking away from the 7 year plan that would have
probably seen us mid-table Championship."
"Same as I did 14 months ago. Still love them for what they did for our club. Looking forward to welcoming them back."
"My best footballing memories are the football and the results we saw
under Hill and Flicker. I hope they succeed at Barnsley and continue
their rise up the football ladder."
"Great memories. The sour taste of how they left has finally faded away
now, and I'm just grateful to them for all they did for our club.
Unfortunately it seems like we're back where we started but certainly my
best times as a Dale fan were with those 2 at the helm."
"Looking forward to their return. Will always be legends at Dale for what
they achieved here. I hope they get a hero's welcome although some were
not happy with the way they left."
"Club legends. I'm sure they'll reach the very pinnacle of management one day."
"Ambivalence to be honest. I still respect them for what they did for the club even though they left on strange terms."
"Did the right thing and moved on to a higher level."
"The man remains the greatest Dale manager in history. My only qualm with
him is when he said he was staying and then left. It was a sour way to
end his time at Dale but time will show him as the biggest name in the
clubs history."
"They are and always will be legends. I'd still buy them a drink each."
"One of the best things to ever happen to Rochdale FC. I cannot
comprehend why any true Rochdale fans would still be angry at them for
wanting to better themselves and support their families by moving to a
bigger club. I wish them all the best and hope to see them manage at
Premier League level. What they did at Rochdale suggests they have the
potential to do so."
Who do you see as our danger-men?
"Fond memories of Perkins, so will have to say him."
"Matt Done."
"No idea. I only know your players that used to play for us. Yes, I know that is the majority of your team..."
"Mido, If he's slimmed down and up for it then he should be more than good enough for your Championship campaign."
"Kelvin Etuhu I remember from his loan-spell at Dale, has absolute pace to
burn and could cause our full-backs some trouble. Little David Perkins
was also probably the best central midfielder I've ever seen in a Dale
shirt so we'll have to keep our eye on Perks. Obviously Mido might be a
danger to the pie stands."
"Matt Done."
"If fit Mido will be a handful. Also expect Perkins to boss the midfield."
"Probably Craig Davies. Always been busy when I've seen him play."
"Scott Wiseman."
"Kelvin Etuhu, Mido, and Kate Rusby..."
"Perkins."
"A fit and interested Mido should cause problems for any League Two side."
Your score prediction?
"2-2"
"3-2 (Rochdale AET)"
"1-0 to Rochdale, Grimes."
"1-1 with Dale to win on penalties."
"Given Hilly doesn't do cups, 2-1 Dale."
"2-1 Dale."
"3-1 Barnsley."
"2-1 to Rochdale, Adebola and Donnelly for us and David Perkins for you because he always plays well against us."
"Sneaky 2-1 Dale."
"1-0 to Dale."
"1-1"
"2-1 Barnsley."
"2-1 Barnsley. Hill doesn’t seem to care much for cup competitions, but
he will have a point to prove here. I expect a close game with Barnsley
just edging it."
Your thoughts on Barnsley's chances this season?
"I thought Hill was unlucky losing players like Vaz Te, an inspired
signing, in January last season. It really disrupted the momentum they
had built. A 10-13th place finish would be more than respectable,
anything more is unrealistic to expect, but that doesn't mean Hillcroft
couldn't make it happen."
"Mid-table."
"Top half finish. Hillcroft will have raised their game and could surprise some people."
"Just be happy to stay up. A bottom six position at Xmas would lead to Hillcroft's dismissal."
"Thall be reet.."
"I think you will be fine this season around a 15th placed finish, you
will keep the core of the squad and next season (13/14) I reckon you
will make a playoff push."
"Top 12, good outside bet for the playoffs."
"22nd."
"Slim to none, and slim is on holiday.
If you can't find another Portsmouth to start on -10 then I'm afraid
you'll probably suffer the same fate we did last season. If you're in the
bottom six at Christmas would expect Hilly to be fired too."
"Honestly think you'll finish 24th. Sorry about that, I just look at that squad and don't see it as a Championship one."
"Hopefully you will improve on last season's finish and in particular the
woeful form at the end of the season so I would say without being
specific somewhere between the bottom three and mid table."
"Mid-table with an improvement on last year. (It's the Hillcroft way)
"Just above relegation - there are worse sides up there."
"Relegation I'm afraid."
Once again, I'd like to thank the Dale supporters who took time out to help me with this article.
You can connect with them on their own forum HERE
THE GROUND
Spotland Stadium is a sports venue located at Willbutts Lane in the
Spotland area of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Also home to Rochdale Hornets RLFC. It has a capacity of 10,249. Allocation to away fans is usually around 2,500 tickets.
TEAM NEWS
I never read too much into the friendlies played during pre-season. They are usually played at walking pace in the main, and managers like to tinker with tactics and team selection.
They are used primarily to help the players attain a good base of fitness, in readiness for the nine month marathon ahead.
However, we have already lost a number of players through injury, as a result of these games.
Mido was never likely to be fit enough to start the season anyway, but the hamstring injury he suffered in the warm-up at Doncaster will probably keep him out for much of 2012.
Fellow new signing Toni Silva, took the Egyptian's place in the team at Doncaster that day and he too ended up in the treatment room. He looks set to miss the first month at least.
Midfielder Stephen Dawson, and left back Scott Golbourne are unlikely to feature at Rochdale, and could also be doubtful for our opening league fixture against Middlesbrough a week later.
David Perkins received a nasty gash to the head last weekend, but after a rest in midweek I'd expect Perks to be involved in some capacity at Spotland.
Goalkeeper Luke Steele has still not recovered from the injury that forced him to miss the back-end of last season, and could also miss the first month of the new campaign.
| Dawson - An injury doubt |
A ROCHDALE RETURN
As well as Hillcroft, there will be more than a few Reds players going back to Rochdale too. So much so, that I expect the Dale fans will recognise more of our players than their own.
Scott Wiseman and Matty Done followed Hillcroft out of Rochdale and into Barnsley last summer.
The latter had a tendency to disappear in matches last season. At times, I forgot he was even on the pitch. But on the days he did show up, he proved to be a real threat. He's got decent pace, he's direct, and scored a handful of good goals when bearing down on the keeper.
If he could produce on a more consistent basis, he'd be a key player for us going forward. Unfortunately, I have my doubts that he can perform at this level on a regular basis.
Full back Wiseman meanwhile, has never been popular since he arrived.
The fact that King Keith went with him at right back instead of club legend Bobby Hassell, didn't help. Neither did his early performances.
However, during our good Autumnal form, Scott seemed to find his feet a little, and certainly improved towards the years end.
Despite that, his form seemed to suffer during the teams bad run, and he was more than culpable for many of the goals we conceded last term.
He's got great acceleration over short distances, and when played in a more advanced role he's often looked better for it. In fact, his best displays in a Tarn shirt were when he and Hassell were in the same eleven.
A big season ahead for him. He's a big favourite of Hill's, but his performances need to warrant that love, as he's fast becoming a target for the Oakwell boo-boys.
| Scott Wiseman |
His off-the-field incident is now in the past, and after featuring heavily for Portsmouth in their run-in last season, so it appears are the doubts over his fitness.
Strong, and pacey, he has big 'Vaz Te' style shoes to fill. It remains to be seen whether he's capable of filling them on a regular basis. Fingers crossed.
| Etuhu - Big shoes to fill |
Another forward once of Rochdale, has been probably Keith Hill's worst signing.
Chris Dagnall was struggling to perform for Scunthorpe in League One when Hill recruited him in January. And those struggles continued whilst wearing the Barnsley red.
To be fair to him though, he's had around ten games for us - hardly enough time to make a judgment normally.
But in those games, he looked completely out of his depth, and blatantly lacking confidence. It was a surprise to nobody when he was farmed out to League Two and Bradford City on loan.
Apparently, he failed to impress there either. But Hill has stuck with him, and he's been regularly involved during pre-season, although not many supporters remember him doing much.
I really want to be proved wrong about 'Daggers', and I'll happily eat my words should he step up to the plate. But for me, he's not Championship quality.
| Dagnall - Much to prove |
Definitely the best of Keith Hill's former Rochdale recruits, David Perkins has been a revelation.
Many doubted the fella could perform at this level, but he was fantastic for large parts of last season.
A lot of his work often goes unnoticed, and he does have his knockers among the Oakwell faithful. But the work he tirelessly puts in is key to the way Hillcroft like their side to operate. Without the graft, and simple stuff that 'Perks' offers, the more creative players would be unable to flourish. After Bobby Hassell, he'd be the first name on my teamsheet.
| David Perkins |
Another player once of Rochdale, but unlikely to be involved at the weekend, is young winger Scott Hogan.
Brought in on trial by Hill after impressing against us for Stocksbridge in a recent friendly, the lad turned out for us against Crewe this week, and by all accounts he did his chances of a permanent deal no harm at all.
| Trialist Scott Hogan |
WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS
I have no idea what to expect on Saturday as far as a performance/result is concerned. As I've already said, you learn next to nothing in pre-season. And while King Keith has said it's an important game (financially), I tend to think he'll use it as an extra friendly, as he prepares the lads for the big opening day clash with Middlesbrough at Oakwell.
I could be wrong. I often am. But I guarantee that if we've been knocked out by Saturday tea-time, Keith will use the old "the league's more important" excuse. And he'd be right. But when you consider how much the club whinge about income and revenue, a run in the cups would be nice.
No offence to Rochdale, but no matter which eleven starts the game, we should be turning them over.
If Dale still had a lot of Hillcroft players in the team, I'd suggest it would be a tighter affair, as they'd like to put one over their former gaffer. But they don't. And so I'm hoping to see a strong lineup, and signs of progress, as well as a result that sees us advance through to the next round.
I have to say, I'm really looking forward to the game. It will be interesting to see the reaction Hillcroft receive from the Dale contingent, and I'm keen to see how they too, respond.
Keith says he hasn't been back to Rochdale since leaving. SEE LINK
I've also never been to Spotland, so that's another away day crossed off the list.
The awful slump last season, the loss of key players, lack of tickets sold, it's all adding up to a feeling of despondency. And despite some 'interesting' recruits this summer, one can't help worrying about our lack of options up front, and we're still yet to sign a defender, despite that area of our team being our big weakness last term.
So yes, expectations - for me personally - are as low as they've ever been at the start of a new campaign.
Perhaps that's a good thing?
I know one thing though. And that's that my love for this great little club of ours will never die, and I'll never stop supporting my hometown club.
Bring it on!
*thanks for reading, and remember to follow me on twitter HERE... where I'll keep you updated on any further postings.
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