[Greyfriars Bobby]

29 January 2014

Yesterday was the close of the January transfer period. Paul Sanderson didn't expect it to be a busy day, and he was right.

"We're playing well right now. We've put together a solid squad, with players who understand how we want to play the game at Rochdale. They're becoming more and more familiar with our tactics. There's also a really positive vibe around the team right now."

The manager had been tinkering with tactics and formations in an effort to maximize the benefits of adding players like Lars Nielsen and Steven Jackson to the squad. "I used to always play a flat back four," Paul explained. "Lars is a natural wing back, and Mike Staley, the left back, can play higher up the pitch, too. We can move the left and right wings up into attacking positions and apply a lot of pressure to the opponent's defense." Dave Gale and Alan Foster were both well-suited to play AM(L), and Joe Webb was better at AM(R) than at M(R). All in all, the new shape seemed like a good fit.

Using this new formation, Rochdale won 3-1 away to Annan Athletic on the 18th and 3-1 against Stenhousemuir at Spotland. The Dale benefited from own goals in both matches, but Sanderson was quick to give his lads some credit. "Against Annan, Nielsen put a corner right on Steven Jackson's head. He hit it, and it caromed off their defender into the goal."

Nielsen's ability to deliver the ball to teammates in position to score had been a huge, huge plus. In four league matches, Lars had five assists--one fewer than the team leaders, Charlie Baird and Alan Foster.

Rochdale had risen all the way to ninth, and the board had noticed. Paul's job was now more secure (54%) than it had ever been. No wonder there was no need for drastic action on Transfer Day.

That's not to say nothing happened, however. Blackpool (League One) made Sanderson an offer he couldn't refuse: £80,000 for young midfielder Lee Bates. "I wasn't eager to sell Lee, but that was quite an offer," Paul confided. The money could be put to good use. The pitch at Spotland was in terrible shape, and now Paul was in a good position to ask the board to relay it over the summer holiday.

The loan periods for David Jones and Matt Leonard expired, and they returned to the clubs that owned their contracts. Leonard's loan spell had been successful for all concerned; the experience of Jones, who demonstrated an alarming tendency to give away penalties with reckless fouls in the area, was less positive.

One new player joined the club: right winger Adrian Martland, on a three-month loan from Brighton & Hove Albion (League One). Martland, 20, was a lot like a younger, more athletic version of Joe Webb and, like Webb, he could play any attacking midfield position or at striker.

"I get along well with Antonio Gonzalez [Brighton's manager], and we arranged for Adrian to come here and get some playing time. Antonio expects us to use him in the rotation, and as talented as Adrian is, that won't be a problem," Paul said.