Alan Buckley returns to the bank

By Nathan Jackson
September 29 2003

Saturday will see the first time Alan Buckley has been back to Sincil Bank since he left for financial reasons at the end of the 2001/2 season.

On Saturday, one very familiar face returns to Sincil Bank with his new team. After taking a year out after leaving Lincoln by mutual consent during the adminstration period, Alan Buckley was appointed Rochdale manager in June. He has made a respectful although very familiar start to his ROchdale career. He has guided Dale to midtable which he did at the start of the 2001/2 season for Lincoln.

Rochdale are very similar to Everton in the way that having stayed in Division 3(4) throughout their existence. They have never been promoted or relegated which no other club can boast.

City go into the game on the back of a 5 game unbeaten run, only conceeding 1 goal in that time and that was last Saturday against Kidderminster. Rochdale are suffering from a bit of inconsistancy in their last 5 games, winning 2 and losing 2. Last Saturday, they lost 2-0 at home to Hull who outnumbered the home fans taking nearly 2500 which was 250 more than the Rochdale fans.

Rochdale's main threat is midfielder Leo Bertos. Recent results between the 2 sides have gone majoritivly City's way. Infact, last season, City did the double over 'Dale, winning 2-0 at Sincil Bank and 1-0 at Spotland.

Last 5 results against Rochdale (most recent first)

Dale 0 City 1
City 2 Dale 0
City 1 Dale 1
Dale 2 City 2
Dale 3 City 1

Prediction - After some fine displays by CIty recently, I'm predicting a replica of last season and a 2-0 win to CIty.