Bristol Rovers v Rochdale - Dale

Back to the Mem tomorrow to see Bristol Rovers for the first time in a few weeks when they take on Rochdale.

Even if their team isn't doing well, most football fans can point to a few moments in history when things have looked rosier. Dale's supporters don't have that luxury.

The club were promoted from the bottom flight in 1969 before returning in 1974 and until last season's promotion via third place in League Two, er, that was it.

However, manager Keith Hill has built on the feel good factor and the club has started life in League One brightly and they currently sit in 9th place in the table with four wins and four draws in their first eleven games.

Worryingly for Rovers - who have already dropped seven points at home - two of those Rochdale wins came away from the Spotland Stadium as did two of the draws.

The last time I saw Rochdale was early this year at Cheltenham when Chris O'Grady grabbed a hat-trick in a 4-1 away win. O'Grady has been ever-present this season so far, has scored three league goals, but has been ably supported by Gary Jones and Jason Kennedy who have weighed in with four and three respectively.

But all hope isn't lost for the Pirates.

Rochdale only lost one of their first nine games, but have now lost two on the bounce and so the home side may be able to play on fragile confidence.

Indeed, boss Hill said: "Hill said: “We’re making steady progress, but we’re not a League One side just because we got promoted – not in the way that Bristol Rovers are.


They’ve had three seasons at this level and are starting a fourth. We’ve got to establish ourselves in a similar way. The results against Exeter and Yeovil have probably checked us, and given us a reminder as to where we actually are in the food chain.

I went to watch Bristol Rovers at Swindon on Monday night and, looking at those two sides in action, it has given me a reality check. I’ve got to be a bit more balanced with my aspirations and ambitions.

We’re not lowering our sights – we’re just accepting reality. We want to finish as high up the table as we can, and continue to make steady progress off the pitch as well."

Meanwhile frustrated Rovers chief Paul Trollope has said: "Having won four and lost four, you would expect to be in mid-table. but things are very tight and we are aware that a decent run over the next few weeks could leave us quite high in the league.


We need to be realistic because we have been recovering after a poor start, but we are certainly capable of putting a run together and there is a belief in the group that we can win matches."

And Rovers certainly have a first eleven who can match anyone in this division. After seeing them get stuffed by six goals against Oxford in the League Cup, I must admit I feared for them. But very often the mark of a good side is its team spirit and Rovers bounced back from that embarrassment by beating west country rivals Yeovil only four days later.

I think that this one is another game that's going to be tight, but I'll give Rovers the nod by a single goal - cue a five goal mauling by Dale then!