Keeper crisis for Rochdale
Rochdale may be forced to field a rookie goalkeeper when Chesterfield FC visit Lancashire on Saturday.
Manager Keith Hill is in the midst of a keeper crisis and unless he can make an emergency loan signing before this weekend's match, he looks likely to play 16-year-old greenhorn Danny Tabener between the posts.
Dale fielded the injured Kenny Arthur, who had difficulty kicking, in their first round FA Cup clash at Blue Square Premier side Luton last Saturday. And when the Hatters realised their opponents' keeper was hampered, they capitalised and rattled up a 3-0 lead within half an hour.
The Spotland outfit scrambled a draw and the lure of a 35,000 pay-day - for the replay to be held a week early and broadcast live on ITV4 - saw Rochdale face Luton on Wednesday evening.
Unfortunately, the game came too quickly for Arthur to recover and the inexperienced Tabener was blooded in the green jersey. Plucky Luton scented blood and it came as little surprise when they won the replay 2-0 to progress to the second round.
On the League Two front, Rochdale have been going great guns and they are currently placed second, two points behind leaders Bournemouth.
A fortnight ago, Dale travelled to Dean Court for the division's match of the day and gave Bournemouth a real thumping, winning 4-0.
Scoring goals, especially away from home, has been one of Rochdale's strengths and much of that has been down to strike partners Chris O'Grady and Chris Dagnall.
O'Grady, on loan from Oldham, is the big target man while No9 Dagnall is probably the better finisher. Between them so far they have scored an impressive 14 goals.
The Spotland side also has a miserly defence and one of its leading lights is 19-year-old centre back Craig Dawson who made his debut at the start of this season. Viewed as an instinctive reader of the game and a player who can pick a pass, Dawson is thought to have a big future in the game.
But the jewel in the crown is another 19-year-old, Will Buckley, who can operate up front or with menace on either flank. Buckley has only scored twice this term but the level of his creativity has been noticed and scouts are beginning to take an interest.
For the last two seasons, Rochdale have been involved in the League Two play-offs. Last term they were beaten by Gillingham in the semi-finals and in 2008 they lost out to Stockport in the final.
The Dale are tired of being labelled nearly men and their aim this time around is to gain automatic promotion.
Chesterfield, of course, have promotion ambitions of their own and after two 3-1 defeates, John Sheridan's men will be itching to return to the win trail.
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Weather for Chesterfield
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
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