Security of second goal vital

Athletic’s wing wizard writes every week for Chron Sport

THE ROCHDALE game is one all of the players are really looking forward to.

They are a side with some good players and always seem to be somewhere around the play-offs, so it will be a very tough game at Spotland. To get anything from it, we can’t afford a dip in form.

We go into it boosted by the three points gained at Swindon. That game provided a good example of how it is always dangerous holding a 1-0 lead. No matter how much things can seem to be under your control, you always want the security of that second goal to put it to bed.

We took on what we had done against Sheffield United in the first half and put it into practice at Swindon. The home crowd was kept quiet and knowing they like to play it out from the back, passing it round in defensive areas, our game plan was executed really well.

Thankfully, after Swindon managed to equalise late on, Danny Philliskirk popped up with another goal to give us the three points we feel we deserved.

I was disappointed not to play - as I always am - but I did expected it, given how well the team performed last Saturday against Sheffield United.

Right now, a really good squad is available to the manager. If you look at the sort of players he can bring off the bench, it bodes really well for the rest of the season. Those who are in the starting XI know they will have to perform to keep their place.

One of the players who has been a substitute for the last two fixtures is Ricardo Fuller. He has been great around the place already and is getting towards match-fitness, which with all his experience picked up in the Premier League will give us a further boost.