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Hill’s Eyre struggling to prove his worth
It has been tough learning curve for Steve Eyre.
The new man has had huge boots to fill at Spotland after Keith Hill’s move to Barnsley. The Dale’s most successful boss has shown that it is tough for a manager to make an impact in a new job with his struggles at Oakwell.
Eyre hasn’t fared much better.
The former Manchester City youth coach remains winless in League One with his side currently sitting in 21st and the drop zone. A tendency to concede goals and profligacy at the other end is not a magic combination and explains the two points mustered in four games. Eyre will be hoping to break his duck in the games against Hartlepool and Stevenage before the battle for local pride at Bury.
The cup competitions have been a different story altogether. Rochdale have reached the third round for only the third time in their history. Chesterfield were defeated 3-2 in extra-time for Eyre’s first win. This was followed by a 2-0 win at Premier League side Queens Park Rangers. Although Dale faced a much-changed QPR side, the quality of the performance gave many fans cause for optimism and a sense of turning a corner.
So can Eyre turn it around? The loss of so many members of last season’s squad- including key men Craig Dawson and Chris O’Grady- has intensified the difficulty of the job. The majority of the new additions have looked promising and- given time- Eyre may be able to gel them into a side resembling the force of last season.
While a few members of the Spotland support maintain lingering doubts, there can be no doubting the extraordinary task facing the rookie boss.
Posted by Rochdale fan Liam Geraghty
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