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A Dale fan’s views ahead of the game

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Ahead of Saturday’s relegation battle against Rochdale at Adams Park, Lewis from Vital Dale answers a few questions for us.


Things look grim for you too, how’s confidence among the Dale fans?

In terms of staying up I think the fans have kind of accepted we’re doomed and are determined to have a laugh about it.

Some fans talk about this season like it’s on the scale of Man United going down, forgetting that this is only our second year in the division after centuries down in league two.

Most of us though are realistic and just want a return to the stability in the club that we enjoyed until Christmas.


Is your caretaker manager popular?

He’s popular with himself judging by his quotes.

I’d say he`s neither popular nor unpopular. We don’t know if he’s caretaker or permanent manager yet. It would seem neither does he, or the board (they’ve approached other managers then denied it when they got rejected)

It seemed strange to sack Steve Eyre saying he was too inexperienced and then replace him with a youth coach with even less experience.

Still, that’s not his fault, so we’ll support him until somebody figures out what’s going on.


What’s your team’s current style of play?

It changes like Pennine weather at the moment. One moment we’re playing like Keith Hill never left; keeping the ball and playing it wide to wingers and full backs.

The next it’s like watching table football, just kicking the ball aimlessly up field in the hope something will happen.


What are your team’s strengths?

Depends on the day; we don’t seem to know if we’re an attacking or defensive side on any given day.

One week we’ll be water tight, but toothless, so to address it the next week we’ll attack like Brazil in the 70s, but defend like a man in his 70s.

It keeps us fans on our toes if nothing else.


What are your team’s weaknesses?

See above. A permanent boss needs to be appointed so he can decide what kind of team we’re going to be.


Are there funds to bring in January reinforcements?

Depends who you listen to. We got a packet in the summer for Craig Dawson, Chris O’Grady and the management team, but we’ve just sacked Steve Eyre 6 months into a 4 year deal.

I won’t be expecting any transfers that come with a fee. Loans or freebies I should expect.


Who are your best players?

Super Gary Jones. Mr Rochdale. Rumours are he and Chris Beech (caretaker) don’t get on, which is worrying.

I think Jason Kennedy is underrated next to him in centre mid. He breaks things up and allows Jones to get forward.


Who’s not flavour of the month with Dale fans?

Probably the chairman at the moment. Harsh, because he’s a fan and he runs the club very well usually, and we wouldn’t want to change him.

However, the fans don’t have a clue what’s going on with the manager situation at the moment, and the board don’t seem too eager to share.


Do you personally believe you will survive the drop?

If we get somebody in, or back Chris Beech, then yes I think we can. If everything stays in limbo with no stability, then no I don’t think we can.

All depends on that.


Take a guess at Saturday’s result?

Something low scoring. The optimist in me says us 1-0, but the way we’ve been playing could as easily be 5-3 to you.

It’s a lottery being a Rochdale fan, costs money, you’ve no way of predicting the result, but it’ll most likely be bad.


Vital Wycombe would like to thank Lewis for his contribution.

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