Rochdale will look to heap more misery on troubled Portsmouth when they travel to Fratton Park for Saturday’s League Two clash.
Dale now lie fifth in League Two having won all of their September fixtures while Portsmouth were trounced 4-2 at York City to sit 17th.
While the 2010 FA Cup finalists’ slide down the divisions has disturbed many, Rochdale manager Keith Hill remains unmoved.
“They probably are at worst a Championship club and they’ve fallen on hard times, but I’ve got no sympathy,” Hill told The Dale Player after last week’s 3-2 victory over Wycombe.
On Saturday the away side could prove as merciless as their manager. Although Portsmouth may have the greater status, there’s no doubting that Dale are the team in much better form.
Nevertheless Hill and his players will be occupying an away dressing room that was housing the likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka and Clarence Seedorf in the Europa League less than five years ago.
This is not lost on winger Matty Done, fresh from pleasing Hill with a brilliant performance last week.
“It’s a pleasure to go and play at Pompey. They are a Championship club with a great pitch and a great stadium so we’re going to go down there and thrive playing on that it,” said Done.
Dale are fast-establishing themselves as one of League Two’s best footballing sides, with Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth last week claiming they dragged his team from “pillar to post.”
A fifth consecutive Dale win at League Two’s most high-profile club would only enhance their growing reputation after an already impressive opening to the season.
Image courtesy of Rochdale FC via YouTube, with thanks.
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