Football Season Guide

Rochdale are coming from a memorable season that saw them enjoy a superb FA Cup run but look like pretty much being certain to go down as late as February. However, the Dale improved their league form a great deal once their FA Cup run was ended by Tottenham and went on to secure their survival on a dramatic final day of the season, which saw them beat Charlton and stay up thanks to Oldham's inability to beat already-relegated Northampton. The Dale have the reputation of being a well-run club, with Keith Hill, who has been in charge for 10 of the last 12 years, getting his side to keep the ball on the ground, therefore winning over many neutrals with his approach. The Dale had several players on their books who barely contributed last season and there was little surprise that they opted to part ways with so many players, but two players who featured frequently have left as well in Niall Canavan, who joined Plymouth, and Stephen Humphreys, who is back at parent club Fulham. Bradden Inman and Jordan Williams, who both spent time on loan with the club last season, have now signed on permanent deals, while David Perkins and Aaron Wilbraham are two of the summer signings who are well-known at this level. In a league whose sides frequently changed half of their squads over any given summer, the Dale were always built around stability and there is hardly any surprise that the core of their squad will once again remain unchanged. The football that Rochdale played last season was far better than their finishing position suggests and perhaps the fatigue from their FA Cup adventure was a part of the problem. Their fans will be confident of a far better finishing position this time around.