Rochdale Season Preview: replacing key men

Over the last three seasons, Rochdale have averaged 67 points, never falling more than six away from the play-off places. On a standard League Two budget, they have established themselves as a respected top half proposition. There is much for Dale fans to be proud of, as Daniel Wiseman discusses.

Honestly, what Keith Hill has achieved with the squad and the budget that he has been given is amazing. Constantly we punch above our weight and surprise everyone that watches league one football.

Ian Henderson was your top scorer last year with 15. He’s been quite a consistent source of goals for you under Hill? 

Ian Henderson is really reliable for us and is key in the Rochdale formula. Kieth and the players have a great understanding and are aware of the aims we have as a club, the players will work for Hilly.

Hill moved inside forward Joe Bunney to left-back at times last season. Did it take the opposition by surprise, having a naturally attacking player running at them from deep?

As a Joe Bunney fan myself this moved had shocked everyone not just the opposition. Joe clearly wasn’t getting game time at that given time frame and as a young player it’s what you crave. Unfortunately, Joe wasn’t doing the business up front so the change was made and what a change it was.

You conceded more goals than any side in the top 15 last season bar Bristol Rovers. Do you need to tighten up at set pieces and cut out individual errors?

Set pieces were our weak spot and this was clearly evident. Hopefully this has been worked on in pre-season and at least give us a chance in when we gift the opposition a set piece. For individual mistakes Jimmy McNulty needs to be more consistent at the back.

12 of your 14 League One clean sheets last term came in the games Keith Keane played in. An important player?

Keith Keane what a player. At Carlise away in the FA Cup we truly sang to get him to stay he his key in the Rochdale formula which we aim to get to ensure that we can have another successful season. Overall Keith Keane is a very important player.

Some fans are disappointed to see Conrad Logan loaned out to Mansfield Town and Brendan Moore arrives with mixed reviews from Torquay. Do you expect Josh Lillis to be the number one?

Josh Lillis will be number 1 keeper for sure. Last season we lost Lillis due to injury but having him back should be great. In my opinion Logan was just not good enough and made mistakes last season which cost us games. I’ve not personally seen much in Moore but hopefully he is a keeper which will push for the 1st team keeper role.

Joe Rafferty has been a mainstay in that time and has signed a new two-year deal. Could you argue he is the club’s best ever right-back?

When I got on Twitter and saw that Rafferty had signed a new deal honestly it was a great sight! It’s fair to say he is a solid keeper.

Another long-serving player, Matty Lund, has left for Burton Albion. Is Hill right to identify Andy Cannon as his replacement?

Matty Lund was a star for Dale and honestly I don’t blame him for going he deserves the opportunity in which he’s got. Cannon is a great player and in taking this role and responsibility on will only make him grow as a player.

Callum Camps has signed a new long-term deal, loanee Brad Inman is capable of the spectacular while new signing Jordan Williams impressed at Barrow. Do you think you’ll have goals from midfield?

The midfield that we have will be something to keep an eye out for. This looks like it could be very interesting for Dale fans this season.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, arguably your best player last year, has gone to Cardiff. Disappointed to lose him on a free?

I’m gutted he’s gone in general but he well and truly earned his move. Rochdale Football Club generate money from players that come in, improve and then leave for a sum of money. It’s definitely a shame but we can’t unfortunately do anything we just have to move forward.

Target man Calvin Andrew started 31 games last year, whereas in the previous two seasons he’d come off the bench more often than he’d started. Does that show how well he’s progressing?

Calvin Andrew is a great player and in the box he is a massive threat. I feel like he will continue to grow and could be a very dangerous in the box this season.

What are your thoughts ahead of the League One season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

As we have mentioned on the podcast I feel like next season will be very close and I personally don’t feel a team will walk the league. As for a dark horse I’m not sure, although it pains me to say I feel Bury will do well this season.

Where will you finish?

I’m hoping maybe this season we can get the playoffs. In my opionion we could sneak into 6th this season but we will have to see.

The Football Lab’s Verdict

Rochdale deserve great credit for their progress and another good year is expected from their young but seasoned midfield. Defensive frailties are evident though and Dale won’t be helped by the exit of Lund and Mendez-Laing. As other big-spenders enter the division, fresh challenges await. 16th