Traditional Starters - Rochdtail Soup v Pateborough United

[Fedora Dale]

So, for the third season running, the first match is Dale v Posh. And it will be as hard to call as ever.

Dale have much the same squad as last year. Nine of the eleven who started the same fixture last August are still at the club. The young players (Rafferty, Allen, Camps, Cannon, Bunney) are a year older and wiser, and hopefully better, whilst a couple of judicious signings have added to the competition in the squad.

Posh, too, have a bit of continuity, with Grant McCann finally getting the managerial gig on a full time basis. They also have some excellent players, and have some newcomers of merit.

I fancy both sides to be there or thereabouts as regards the playoffs at the end of the season.

It's going to be close, but I think we'll edge it 2 - 1. Henderson and Mendez-Laing with the goals for us, Maddison replying for Posh.

 

[The Hand of Dom]

Who even knows?

We absolutely need to start the game quicker than we have done in our preseason games, but our second half performances in those have been impressive.

As we know though, preseason means nothing except for fitness in the tank. We'll see what happens!

 

[Jamie_Posh]

getting very bored of playing you lot !

 

[Dayul]

getting very bored of playing you lot !

Silly ain't it, wouldn't have minded a trip to London Rd first game as I like an away day there. At least you're not travelling up here on a Tuesday though.

Not seen any of our pre season games so no idea how this will go. I'll be happy with a draw

 

[Fedora Dale]

One difference this season is the venue. Thanks to a sponsorship deal signed earlier today, the game will now be the first at the renamed (for five years) Crown Oil Arena.

 

[Posh Hammer]

Good win for us that and nice to start the season with 3 points on the board.

 

[Fedora Dale]

That was a bloody good game.

Two sides playing decent football, and going toe to toe for 90 minutes. And the more clinical.won, narrowly.

While I don't enjoy watching Dale lose, today was enjoyable. Posh are far more likeable under McCann than Fergie or Westley.

I still expect both teams to be there or thereabouts, play-off wise, next May.

And kudos to the ref, who got most things right, and let the game flow.

 

[Dale4ever]

Not sure I agree. Thought both sides were average on the day. We were defensively poor but probably did deserve a draw overall for our first half efforts. Posh were the better side second half. The third goal was calamitous to say the least. We all know Lillis is a decent keeper but that definitely wasn't his finest moment. We got caught down the flanks time and again. First 15 mins or so I thought we were unlucky not to be 2-0 ahead. But as soon as we scored the first we sat back and invited pressure. Then courtesy of a penalty we led 2-1, to give it away almost immediately again. Tough to judge off one match, but defensively we need to improve.

 

[Fedora Dale]

Ironically, I thought Alnwick looked dubious on crosses throughout, and generally nervy. Yet the goalkeeping blooper came from Lillis, who'd looked solid for the first 88 minutes...

I thought McGahey had a decent game. First time I've seen him, and he looks a useful acquisition.

 

[The Hand of Dom]

Stuff to work on for both sides for sure but that was decent.

Cannon for Rochdale was a pest all afternoon. How many times he got past Hughes was unbelievable and I think Rochdale under utilised that a bit.

Defensively, as ever with us, stuff to work on but Gwion Edwards made a huge difference to us when he came on, along with the formation change.

Both teams will be near or in the POs. I'm happy!