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A defining weekend
For all Steve Eyre’s struggles in the league, a win would offer immediate redemption this weekend.
A victory at Bury would be the tonic to his and the team’s troubles and be an ideal way to break his side’s duck this season.
Despite the closer proximity to Oldham, the rivalry with Bury has proven to be the most fierce in recent times. The clubs have met in almost every season in the last decade as opposed to not meeting the Latics in a competitive fixture in almost four decades. The bile between the two sets of supporters has built as a result of their frequent clashes.
A few players have also crossed the divide, Nicky Adams and Brian Barry-Murphy of Rochdale’s current crop have plied their trade at Gigg Lane and Andy Bishop and Andy Haworth have featured at Spotland.
The current Leicester full-back Tom Kennedy also swapped between the two clubs and taunted Bury supporters after scoring in a 3-0 victory in 2009, causing one fan to chase him as he sprinted down the touchline. His departure has left the role of pantomime villain vacant.
Efe Sodje had shown designs on filling Kennedy’s boots in the past, but he made the role his own this week. The Nigerian defender incensed Dale’s faithful by “guaranteeing” that the East Lancashire derby spoils will be taken by Bury. The assertion was seen by many as disrespectful- bordering on arrogant- and he is unlikely to be popular with the away fans once again.
The form book does back up his claim somewhat. Dale are stuck in a rotten streak and still have only managed to amass two points from their campaign so far.
However, Bury have suffered from key departures- as Dale did earlier in the summer- and the loss of Ryan Lowe and Damien Mozika could see the Shakers struggle to reclaim the terrific form of the early weeks of the season.
After such a rough start, the time is approaching for Eyre to silence the doubters. Patience and goodwill- some gained in the historic Carling Cup run (the first time Rochdale have reached the third round since they reached the final in 1962)- are fast running out.
If a Sodje own goal has given Dale a much-needed three points on Saturday at 5pm, Eyre will have got a few more fans on his side.
He’ll have to do better than that to ensure survival and prevent a return to the familiar surroundings of League Two.
Posted by Rochdale fan Liam Geraghty
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