Rovers travel to Rochdale looking to make it back-to-back victories in Sky Bet League Two this weekend.
Gary McSheffrey’s side got back to winning ways by beating Crawley Town 4-1 at the Eco-Power Stadium last time out.
Here we provide all the details on our latest opponents.
Manager
Former Morecambe and AFC Fylde boss Jim Bentley was appointed as Rochdale manager at the end of August, replacing Robbie Stockdale in the role.
Bentley played more than 300 times as a player for Morecambe before being put in charge on a permanent basis. He spent eight years at the Globe Arena and at the time of his departure, was the longest serving manager in the EFL. He had a two-and-a-half year spell in the National League North with Fylde, but left with the club fourth in the division prior to joining Rochdale.
Form
Dale have won their past two games in league and cup with new manager Bentley beginning to have an impact on the side.
Prior to that, they had picked up two points from a possible 15 in the league, after drawing against Crawley and Carlisle but being beaten by Swindon Town, Leyton Orient and Northampton respectively.
Their first win of the campaign came last time out, as Devante Rodney’s penalty was enough to earn three points on the road at Colchester United. Goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell was instrumental in the victory, saving a stoppage time penalty to secure the points.
Key men
Experienced midfielder Toumani Diagouraga joined Rochdale from Sky Bet League One side Morecambe in June.
Having come through the ranks at Watford, it was with Hereford where he initially made a name for himself, racking up almost 100 appearances before kicking on at Brentford from January 2010 onwards. The dynamic midfielder featured heavily for the Bees in a six-year spell at Griffin Park. He then joined Leeds United and has since had spells with the likes of Plymouth Agyle, Fleetwood Town and Swindon.
He scored against Rovers for Morecambe last season, and was a key recruit for Rochdale ahead of this season’s League Two campaign.
Devante Rodney signed for Rochdale in the summer after spending the second half of last season with fellow Sky Bet League Two side Walsall. Rovers fans will remember him for scoring twice for Hartlepool United on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign to deny Darren Ferguson’s side the league title at Victoria Park.
An 18-month spell with Pools was followed by two years at Salford City, but he started just one game in that period and subsequently joined Port Vale in July 2020. He had an impressive record at Vale Park, scoring 12 goals in 44 starts.
Since his move to Dale in the summer, he has scored four goals in all competitions, including the winner at Colchester last time out.
Son of Rovers’ Academy coach Frank, Tyrese Sinclair has been an important part of the Rochdale side battling to climb up the table in recent weeks.
Sinclair got his first taste of the EFL at Mansfield, and made almost 50 appearances for the Stags, while also spending time on loan at Scunthorpe United last season.
He has already scored his first league goal for Rochdale, having netted in the 1-1 draw at home to Crawley Town in August.
Last league meeting
Rovers beat Rochdale 2-1 at the Crown Oil Arena when the two sides last met in May 2021. A double from Brighton loanee Taylor Richards was enough to secure three points, with Matty Done grabbing a late consolation for the hosts.
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