PREVIEW: Rochdale

Rochdale v Carlisle United, Saturday 28 January, kick off 3pm

Dale currently sit bottom of the pile with just one win from their last six league outings bringing cause for concern.

41 goals conceded and just 22 scored is perhaps an indication of the root of the problems, and relatively new to the managerial post Jim Bentley will most definitely be asking for more.

He took over on a two-year deal at the end of August, and he's already acknowledged that it's a big task ahead. 

It's been a relatively quiet transfer window so far on the incoming side of things, with just the loan of Sheffield United keeper Jake Eastwood to report. 

Adding to the current woes were the dismissals of Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Sam Graham in the 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool last Saturday - both will be missing this weekend.

We're going for 24-year-old forward Devante Rodney, who has maintained his consistency with seven goals from 32 appearances so far this campaign.

He's a real livewire and can find the net if given the ammunition.

Always a mobile threat, he'll have to be looked after.

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United had Jon Mellish, Kris Dennis and Paul Huntington to thank as they recovered from three setbacks to earn a 3-3 draw in what was an intriguing game to watch at Brunton Park in September 2022.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Carlisle were at Spotland at the end of March 2022 and they set themselves on the way to victory courtesy of an early Liam Kelly penalty. Conor Grant wrapped the game up with 10 minutes left to go. 

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Rochdale were at Brunton Park at the beginning of March 2022 and an early goal from Omari Patrick out the hosts in the driving seat. Tobo Sho-Silve came off the bench to secure the victory with just over three minutes left to play.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

These teams came together in the Carabao Cup in August 2019 down at Spotland. Jack Bridge scored a second half penalty for United, but Aaron Morley and Matty Done had already done the damage, and it wad the Dale who progressed.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Referee - Ross Joyce
Assistant Referee 1 - Mark Jones
Assistant Referee 2 - Alan Clayton
Fourth Official - Declan Ford
Observer - Peter Gibbons

Our referee for today's game is Mr Ross Joyce. Ross has taken charge of 17 games so far this season and has shown 58 yellows and three reds.

We saw him at Brunton Park for a rather dour 0-0 draw with Crewe in October 2022. Paul Huntington was booked in a game that had little other action.

He was in Carlisle again in April 2022 for our 1-0 home win over Mansfield. Omari Patrick scored the second half winner and the hosts had four players booked in what was a bit of a slog of a game - Jack Armer, Brennan Dickenson, Omari Patrick and Dynel Simeu.

We saw Ross at the Globe Arena in November 2021 when goals from Kelvin Mellor and Jordan Gibson secured progression to the knockout stages for the Blues in the Papa John's Trophy. No Carlisle names were taken that night.

Prior to that he was the man in the middle for a tetchy encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day in 2020. Aaron Hayden, Lewis Alessandra and Omari Patrick helped us to storm into a three-goal lead on what was a terrible day weather wise, but George Thomason, Nathan Delfouneso and Peter Kioso used the gale force wind to their advantage to peg us back. Kioso was sent off in time added on for the game, with Paul Farman, Rhys Bennett, Joe Riley and Jon Mellish having their names taken for the home side.

He was also at Brunton Park in October 2020 for our 3-1 home win over Morecambe. Jon Mellish and George Tanner added to an own goal from Songo'o as the Blues ran out as convincing 3-1 victors, and Joe Riley was the only home yellow to be shown. 

Ross was with us in March 2019 for our long away trip to Rodney Parade. Goals either side of the break sunk the Blues, and Anthony Gerrard had his name written down on the day.

He was in Cumbria for our December 2019 2-1 home win over Macclesfield. Hallam Hope and Jerry Yates scored our goals and Gerrard, Devitt and Yates were the Carlisle names which went in the book.

The first time we saw him that same season was for the Carabao Cup meeting with Blackburn Rovers in August 2019. Hallam Hope scored United's goal, but it was an emphatic win for Rovers on the night as braces from Bradley Dack and Adam Armstrong were complemented by a neat finish from Kasey Palmer. Kelvin Etuhu was the only Carlisle yellow card shown.