Rochdale vs Swindon Town: Match preview – TrustSTFC

Rochdale vs Swindon Town: Match preview

Swindon Town return to action after having last weekend off due to international commitments with a trip to take on Rochdale looking to bounce back after a disappointing display at Crawley.

The Crawley defeat feels like a lifetime ago, it was a bad day at the office. On any other day Swindon could have won that game in a convincing manner against John Yems Crawley Town side. Swindon Town were wasteful especially in the second half when the game was stretched. Crawley Town capitalised on Swindon misfortunes in front of goal with two second half goals which were down to poor defensive mistakes.

Ben Garner in his pre match press conference confirmed that both Louie Barry and Joe Tomlinson are back for selection after their injuries in late February. Harry McKirdy will miss tomorrow trip to Rochdale with an injury that will not keep me out till the rest of the season. An unnamed player is out Ill and will miss tomorrow’s game. Louis Reed will sit out the second game of his two-match ban after his sending off against Sutton United

My predicted XI vs Rochdale

4-3-3

Wollacott, Hunt, Conroy, O’Brien, Tomlinson, East, Williams, Iandolo, Payne, Barry, Davison.

Rochdale who will be welcoming Swindon Town on Saturday afternoon are in the bottom half of the league two table. Robbie Stockdale side are in nineteenth in the League Two standings with forty-three points from thirty-nine games. Rochdale are a healthy nine points clear of both Oldham and Stevenage who are second and third bottom on thirty-four points and are fighting it out for safety in League Two.

Rochdale form in the month of March has been poor, just one win in the eight games played in the month. The sole win came in the last game played in the month on the 29th which was a crucial 2-0 home win over Carlisle. The month started off with back-to-back defeats to Carlisle United 2-0 and Sutton United 3-0. Both games were away from home.

Two draws followed against Barrow 0-0 and Salford City which was 1-1, both games were at home. Then followed three defeats in a row away at Leyton Orient 3-1, at home to Mansfield Town 1-0 and then last weekend during the international break to Crawley Town. Ashley Nadesan with the winner for Crawley. Tuesday result at home to Carlisle gave light relief to what has been a difficult month for Robbie Stockdale side. Liam Kelly with a penalty and Conor Michael Grant with the second nine minutes before time gave Rochdale the win which they have been craving. The last win before that was on the 26th February which was a 1-0 win over Northampton Town.

By Scot Munroe