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Greyfriars Bobby · 12-15-2014, 09:02 AM

19 August 2014

"This isn't the way I envisioned this season starting out, I can tell you that."

The look on Paul Sanderson's face said it all. His Rochdale team was bottom of the table after three matches. A season-opening 2-3 defeat at home to Montrose, a 1-1 draw at home to Fleetwood Town, and a surprising 0-3 thrashing away to Stirling Albion meant the Dale had managed only a single point so far. For a club that had championship aspirations, this was unexpected, and unacceptable.

"We've battled injuries," Sanderson said, but it was clear he was not offering that fact as an excuse. "We have enough talent that we ought to be able to cover for an injury or two."

Graham Somers was only now back in training, and he had yet to make his first apperance in the league. Jamie Bennett, who was covering for him, had struggled, and so had his partner in the center of the defense, Andy Carr. Neither of the new goalkeepers, Morten Pedersen or Sakari Kinnunen, had been stellar, either. Kinnunen suffered the worst luck, pawing a Stirling Albion shot into his own net and allowing the visitors to steal a point.

"It's not the young players' fault," Sanderson added. "Johannes Scherrer is the only teenager who's been starting, and he's been fine."

Rumors of increased transfer activity were already starting up, with the deadline less than a fortnight away. The papers were speculating that Lars Nielsen might be sold, and there were offers being made for Steven Jackson already (Jackson wasn't going anywhere, though). And Rochdale had already signed one new player, a familiar face to Royal First Division fans.

Andy Sim was the league's second high scorer in 2013-14, netting 25 goals for Peterhead. His scoring feats weren't enough to keep the Blue Toon from the drop, and Sim didn't relish the prospect of playing in the Qualification Groups. He wanted a bigger challenge, and Sanderson was willing to offer that to him. For £21,000, Andy was now sporting a Rochdale shirt.

"Andy can pair with Steven Jackson, or with Charlie Baird, or play as a lone striker," Sanderson explained. "And he is only 22, so he's still got time to grow as a footballer. We're glad to have him here."

The manager leaned back in his chair and sighed. "It's still early days, but we need to turn this around in a hurry."

12-15-2014, 09:02 AM	#39
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	19 August 2014 "This isn't the way I envisioned this season starting out, I can tell you that." The look on Paul Sanderson's face said it all. His Rochdale team was bottom of the table after three matches. A season-opening 2-3 defeat at home to Montrose, a 1-1 draw at home to Fleetwood Town, and a surprising 0-3 thrashing away to Stirling Albion meant the Dale had managed only a single point so far. For a club that had championship aspirations, this was unexpected, and unacceptable. "We've battled injuries," Sanderson said, but it was clear he was not offering that fact as an excuse. "We have enough talent that we ought to be able to cover for an injury or two." Graham Somers was only now back in training, and he had yet to make his first apperance in the league. Jamie Bennett, who was covering for him, had struggled, and so had his partner in the center of the defense, Andy Carr. Neither of the new goalkeepers, Morten Pedersen or Sakari Kinnunen, had been stellar, either. Kinnunen suffered the worst luck, pawing a Stirling Albion shot into his own net and allowing the visitors to steal a point. "It's not the young players' fault," Sanderson added. "Johannes Scherrer is the only teenager who's been starting, and he's been fine." Rumors of increased transfer activity were already starting up, with the deadline less than a fortnight away. The papers were speculating that Lars Nielsen might be sold, and there were offers being made for Steven Jackson already (Jackson wasn't going anywhere, though). And Rochdale had already signed one new player, a familiar face to Royal First Division fans. Andy Sim was the league's second high scorer in 2013-14, netting 25 goals for Peterhead. His scoring feats weren't enough to keep the Blue Toon from the drop, and Sim didn't relish the prospect of playing in the Qualification Groups. He wanted a bigger challenge, and Sanderson was willing to offer that to him. For £21,000, Andy was now sporting a Rochdale shirt. "Andy can pair with Steven Jackson, or with Charlie Baird, or play as a lone striker," Sanderson explained. "And he is only 22, so he's still got time to grow as a footballer. We're glad to have him here." The manager leaned back in his chair and sighed. "It's still early days, but we need to turn this around in a hurry." Last edited by Greyfriars Bobby : 12-15-2014 at 09:03 AM.