Team News 4 changes from the home victory over Portsmouth the previous Saturday. In: Curtis Thompson, Giles Phillips, David Wheeler, Alex Pattison Out: Joe Jacobson, Matt Bloomfield, Nick Freeman, Scott Kashket
Thompson first start of the season Jacobson and Freeman didn’t travel due to “groin injuries” Bloomfield rested as precaution following “recent head knocks” Adebayo Akinfenwa Captain Jacob Gardiner-Smith on bench for first time in FL game Rolando Aarons returned on bench.
Reaction:
from wwfcofficial
Gareth Ainsworth
“That’s a very satisfying result. Rochdale did so well at Man Utd and we had to be at our best today. We don’t have to beat them on possession; we have to beat them on goals.”
“We came with a plan, and Rochdale threw a curveball at us so we changed tactics within five minutes. We changed shape, and we’d deliberately picked a team selection that enabled us to change shape if we needed to, which came to fruition.
“Rochdale are a good side; they want to keep possession and when they do that, you either let them have it or press them high. We’re really strong on the counter attack, with the explosion of pace and end product that we’ve got in our attack, and that came true.
“Some of the performances were outstanding, and I don’t want to name names because it’s not fair, but we had players out there who have just come back from injury, or were playing out of position, and they were all amazing and performed really well.
“I’ve got to credit my staff. We all work really well together – the medical side gets them ready and activated for the game. Andy does his work with the keepers, and Josh Hart – our analyst – has been a diamond and gets us really in-depth information about what the opposition are like. Dobbo and I asked the boys to do something and they’ve done it. I’d back the boys in any fight; they’re solid, they’re steady and they learn from their mistakes. I ask them to give me everything, to believe in what we’re doing, and to be excited to play. They did just that.”
“The fans were awesome. The game was nearly off, but the ground staff did a great job to get it on. For the fans to all come here today in bad weather was fantastic, and you can see that the numbers are growing. We’re getting more fans when we come away, we’re definitely getting more fans at home, and together we’re trying to push this club further and make it bigger. I can’t say any more than ‘thank you’.”
Wanderers up to 2nd spot in the table with 22 points from the opening 11 games. Ipswich Town lead the table with 24 points from 10 games.
The 3-0 victory was Wanderers biggest victory on the road since 22nd November 2014 when goals from Paris Cowan-Hall, Steven Craig, Joe Jacobson and Matt McClure saw Cheltenham beaten 4-1 in ‘League Two.
The previous 3 goal margin victory had been the ‘survival day’ 3-0 victory at Torquay United on 3rd May 2014 – also in ‘League Two’.
In League One (Third Tier), the previous three goal margin victory was a 3-0 win at Tranmere Rovers on 13 April 2010 – however, Wanderers were relegated at the end of that season.
Wanderers record away victory in the Football League remains the 5-0 victory at Northampton Town on 4 January 2003 in the Third Tier.