My mate and I saw the first half of the rugby and then began our adventure in the pouring rain to Rochdale. Even while waiting for my mate to pick me up a man walking his dog spotted my Gas coat and said 'are you going all that way, I am not very hopeful of a win today's I nodded at him thinking in truth a point may be a good result. We then travelled in the appalling weather through copious 50 mile an hour speed limits arriving in rainy Rochdale around 1pm. We parked up and made the short walk to the welcoming bar at the Crown Oil stadium. A relaxing and friendly chat was had with other travelling gas.
Before the game we decided to sample the local fish and chip shop and very nice it was too. So in to the ground, gasheads slowly ambling around the recess areas with a hopeful rather than confident feel.
On to the start of the game. Gas starting really well, chasing everything down In what looked like a 4 4 1 1 formation. No Tom Davies rumoured to have an injured knee. Rochdale, with a,16 year old on the wing, had no answer to our high press. Victor up against McShane, an Irish international! What could go wrong? Pressure from the Gas resulted in a Sercombe corner, Tony Craig jumping like a salmon at the far post guiding his header towards the goal and Victor tapping in a finish. One nil gas! Fans could not quite believe it. Gas continued pressing, a poor ball led to Sercombe receiving the ball on the left, he checked it back to Kelly who put in a tempting cross which cannoned off the head of a Dale defender past the bemused goalie. How sh** are you we are winning away sang some of the gas faithful! The gas seemed to drop off a little inviting Rochdale on, but our defence stayed firm, until a cross came in from our left and the Rochdale forward finished with aplomb. Half time came and went, Rochdale tried to hit long balls over the top of the centre backs and also used the wings to try to take on our full backs. Chances came and went begging with our Finnish hero of a goalkeeper making some incredible saves. Sercombe cleared off the line, shots were blocked. It wasn't pretty as everything but the Kitchen sink was thrown to our defence. The refs whistle went, all the gasheads let out a gasp of relief.
Well what about the players? Jaakkola was truly superb. He does not command his area or come off his line often but he is one of the best shot stoppers we have ever had. He was definitely man of the match making some very good and important saves. If he continues scouts will return to the Mem. Mark Little was playing his first game for a while. Would he last? He always seems fragile to me. But he did, the winger had the beating of him on occasions but his forward play especially in the first half, was good. Michael Kelly started in what was a bit of a surprise after his poor showing against Bolton. Playing in a flat back four he looks more comfortable and it was a peach of a cross that led to the 2nd goal. The two Centre backs Kilgour and Craig were immense dealing with everything. Millwall Tone is truly a great asset.
So a midfield of Ogogo, Clarke, Upson with Sercombe and Rodman wide did not fill us with confidence. Ogogo was playing slightly further forward pressing on the Rochdale Central defenders. Clarke buzzed around, playing slightly better than of recent times, Upson in truth was poor. Sercombe was involved in a lot of our good stuff and his delivery from set pieces was to be admired. Rodman looked more comfortable not having to be shackled into defensive duties. A lot of gas heads before felt playing big Victor was a gamble, but in fairness the boy ran his socks off and troubled the defenders.
It was a deserved, but not pretty win. I think GC probably decided to change the system due to Tom Davies injury, but it worked. Rochdale were set up to play at a against a 3 5 2 and struggled to adjust. People must give praise to GC, it isn't always pretty but we are quite difficult to beat.
I will never be as good as Stevek192 and I for one appreciate his quality reports.
