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Meet the Team: Midfielders
Left Midfielder: Dave Gale (age 26)
A stylish player with the ability to run either wing or play as a attacking central midfielder, Gale can score goals or set them up. If he plays well, the Rochdale attack becomes much more potent. His Achilles heel is defense, which potentially leaves the team vulnerable to attacks down his side of the pitch--especially if Staley is also dashing forward.
Central Midfielders: Josh Moore (age 33), Paul Webb (age 22) and Matt Leonard (age 19)
Sanderson will rotate these three players through the central midfield spots. Moore, as described above, is the team's best all-round player. Paul Webb is a deep-lying playmaker with the requisite passing, tackling, and technical skills, and he likes to unleash powerful shots from long range. Leonard is a box-to-box midfielder who likes to control the tempo of the match. He can take a more defensive role when he's paired with Webb.
Defensive Midfielder: Lee Mason (age 32)
Mason is the club's captain. He provides a secure defensive anchor in the midfield, and he can get the ball forward with short, simple passes. Lee is a good player, but he's every bit as valuable in his role as captain, helping Sanderson manage the team's morale as it suffers a poor run of form.
Right Midfielder: Joe Webb (age 28)
Joe Webb is the club's most versatile attacking player. He can move up and lead the line or slot in at any attacking midfield position. Joe is the best alternative at right wing, however, where he offers the same kind of offensive threat as Gale, but with more defensive awareness.
In the Wings: Alan Foster (age 25), Kyle Radcliffe (age 21), Andy Barron (age 27), and Lee Bates (age 21)
Foster is better as an AM(L), so he will start when Rochdale uses that formation. His big paycheck (£1,500/week) means that he will have to be very productive to remain in the club come January. Radcliffe is a talented advanced playmaker with very good pace. Barron is the team's best AM(C), and he is comfortable playing all over the middle of the park. Bates can deputize for Joe Webb when Joe is playing striker, and he can move up to play forward himself in a pinch.
The Future: Andy Funnell (age 17)
Funnell is Mason's heir apparent at DM(C). His technical abilities are advanced for a youth player, and his future is extremely promising.
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