What to expect from Rochdale and what would you do?

So far Rochdale have played a combination of 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 for their matches this season. They score plenty of goals and conceded a fair few an all.  Their danger man is someone I would have loved here before Hanlan signed (who I now love so all good) Stephen Humphrys who was injured early in their campaign is now back and firing - 7 goals in 12 matches and brings so so much more.  Another player to watch out for is Matty Lund who has 10 for the campaign and a real handful.

*Please note - I have manually calculated the metrics as opposed to taking them off the stats site as it was counting 'matches' regardless of whether you played 5 mins or 90 mins. This has thrown a few different players into the mix due to smaller amounts of minutes played, but food for thought none the less.

Humphrys 4.3, Tavares 3.4, Baah 2.2 and Newby 2.0 take the most Shots per game
Gas comparison: Walker 4.0, Ayunga 3.8, Nicholson 3.0 and Oztumer 2.6
Key passes per game for them is Morley 1.6, Newby 1.3 and Lund 1.2
Gas comparison: Westbrooke 2.2 & Oztumer 1.86
Winning the ball back are Rathbone 3.4, McLaughlin 2.4, Ryan 2.3 and Lund 2.1 Tackles per game
Gas comparison: Hargreaves 4.9, Koiki 2.5, Tutonda 2.5, Harries 2.4, Grant 1.9, Kilgour 1.6 and Baldwin 1.6
Clearances per game wise they have Osho 6.0, O'Connell 4.2, McNulty 3.9 and McLaughlin 3.2
Gas comparison: Baldwin 5.6, Harries 5.7, Ehmer 4.5 and Kilgour 3.7
Battling in the air they have Beesley 5.8, Lund 3.5 and McNulty 3.5  Aerials won per match
Gas comparison: Ayunga 7.5, Baldwin 3.3 and Kilgour 3.2

*Please note - League stats only

+ Strengths
Shooting from direct free kicks - Very Strong
Finishing scoring chances - Very Strong
Coming back from losing positions - Very Strong
Attacking down the wings - Strong
Creating long shot opportunities - Strong
Creating chances using through balls - Strong

- Weaknesses
Protecting the lead - Weak
Aerial duels - Weak
Avoiding individual errors - Very Weak
Defending counter attacks - Very Weak
Defending set pieces - Very Weak
Stopping opponents from creating chances - Very Weak
Defending against attacks down the wings - Very Weak
Defending against long shots - Very Weak

Rochdale's Style of Play
Attack through the middle
Take long shots
Non-aggressive
Playing in their own half
Consistent first eleven


So then, a big big match next up for the mighty Gas on their home turf which has seen a fair share of defeats this season.  Dare we say 6 pointer.. We are coming off the back of a fine and very committed performance against Peterborough and they are coming off the back of another high scoring game that ended in defeat.  Both teams have a high level of goals against expectations and both can score, although Rochdale edge that now that they are free scoring again. 

We should be feeling good about the fact that Nicholson and Oztumer returned to the side on Tuesday and both had minutes managed by Tis to hopefully ensure they are fit again against Rochdale.  Like it or not, we seem to be returning to the 3-4-1-2 formation again which does see us playing much higher up the pitch but also means that we are liable to be on the edge of seats wondering if the next through ball will result in a goal for the opposition.  We remained strong and held out against Peterborough and that will mean a lot to those players and I expect the same formation on Saturday.  

Hardest part of this game will be who the 2 midfielders are likely to be.  Some said that in the relegation battle we can not afford luxury players and require more grit and from the match just gone it was evident that was the case.  That being said the Mem playing surface is far superior to that dross at Peterborough, so we may well see the likes of Westbrooke or McCormick returning.  Tough call for Tis.

Expected line up: