Getting to watch the game on ifollow today but not via video call this week as Crouchy gave me his spare code so got the game on in 3 Faces Of Foleys pubshed.
Not sure why Walker isn’t starting as he has been our better player so far. Four changes for Salop today with Burgoyne back in goal, Fossey, Williams and a debut for Charlie Daniels after joining in midweek on a short deal.
Town were quite dominant in the first quarter of an hour, getting forward well. Udoh was unlucky early on and Cummings shot just over. Nice to see the new signing Daniels getting forward well from left back, will be interesting to see what happens when Golbourne is fit again. He was linking up well with Vela on the left hand side. Clarke went close with a header from a corner. Early on we were creating well and looking tidy at the back.
I think I jinxed it with that last sentence, in what felt like Rochdale’s first attack the defence seemed to be static and with a header from Rathbone Dale took the lead.
Salop really need to be more clinical in the final third, Cummings, Udoh and Clarke really should be doing better. The midfield seem to be lost in the game and nothing being created, seemed that the goal knocked the stuffing out of us.
Town seem to have fallen asleep as a ball was knocked over the top and Pierre couldn’t keep up as Newby slotted past the advancing Burgoyne to send the visitors 2-0 up.
Cummings always seems to want to take a touch too many rather than feed the ball to a team mate or take the shot on. Really hard to see how Salop are going to get back into this game, frustrating though as we seemed to start well but the hunger had gone. Silly mistakes have crept in.
A great corner into the far post from Daniels and Pierre smashed a bullet header against the cross bar, would have been the perfect time to score just before half time. Another corner into the second minute of injury time from Daniels and it was met on the 6 yard box by Pierre again but this time it was neatly headed in to the goal to get one back and make it 2-1. Salop have dominated the possession and more shots at goal but need to make it count now as we went into the break behind.
Several early set pieces for Town in the second half and both taken by the new boy Daniels, good to see the early pressure from Salop. Daniels seems a smart player and has the quality with some great passes. Town pressuring well and penning Dale back, we just need to get that ball into the net.
The game has become very end to end, with each team being able to cancel each other out. Cummings really doesn’t look right in the position he’s in and he just seems to make everything look difficult, would be considering bringing him off. Rochdale went close with a free kick from the an angle on the edge of the box. Ryan Barnett came in for the last 20 minutes replacing High.
Another Pierre header from a Daniels corner but was headed down and bounced just over the bar. Town seem to not want to shoot when the ball is in the box and want to make the extra unneeded pass. Some good long range passing from Norburn picking out Fossey well.
A clash between Fossey and Beesley who were both down and received lengthy treatment, must have been some blood as Fossey had to switch shirts. The Dale playing having to go off due to the collision.
Salop having the bulk of the possession, but frustratingly Dale players seem to be blocking any chance we have. Aaron Pierre flicked on a header in the box and Fossey with a close range header but a great save from the Rochdale keeper denies Salop. Our best chances seem to be coming from our defenders, which is worrying when we have three strikers on the pitch.
Walker came on with just over 2 minutes left of normal time for Vela, must have been due to the booking or for Walkers aerial presence. Town still having the better of the possession as the clock runs down, getting the ball into good areas as Udoh got into the box but wasted the chance. Udoh has seemed the liveliest of the three strikers today with Clarke having a very quiet game.
Eight minutes of added time as Zamburek replaced Fossey, a good attack minded change and a bit of energy added to the game. Daniels with another dangerous ball into the box and Walker unlucky not to get his header on target. Rochdale decided to want to keep the ball in the corner with 5 minutes left to play, annoying from a Town perspective.
Town causing problems after another Daniels ball into the box as the ball bounced around after the keeper fumbled but Ro-Shaun Williams’ first time shot was blocked wide. This ball just won’t go into that bloody goal!! The referee blew up after the 8 additional minutes came to an end.
A frustrating defeat for Salop today, we dominated possession wise and looked good as we had the ball box to box and glimpses of quality but once again our strikers just didn’t perform as we would hope they should. I think Cummings needs to be dropped and earn his place back as he really is not looking worthy of a start. A good debut for Daniels and Fossey did well coming back into the team.
My Man Of The Match was the debutant Charlie Daniels, he showed that he had that touch of class and experience, did well getting forward and delivered some great crosses and set pieces. Hopefully his experience runs off on some of the other players in the squad and see us push on.
PLAYER RATINGS
Burgoyne – 5
Fossey – 7
Williams – 6
Pierre – 6
DANIELS – 8
Vela – 6
Norburn – 5
High – 5
Udoh – 6
Clarke – 5
Cummings – 5
Barnett – 6
Walker – 6
Zamburek – 6
Another midweek game for Salop as they they travel to the North West coast to take on Fleetwood Town, which could be another tough game for Town as they are decent side but then again Shrewsbury seemed to do better away from home this season.
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Shrewsbury Town against Rochdale.
Daz Carding
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