Talbot Tactics Enough to Defeat Dire Dale

Rochdale 0 - 1 Oxford United

Rochdale fans witnessed their side’s worst performance of the season as they lost to a well disciplined Oxford outfit who did not allow the Rochdale strikers a single clear cut chance. Oxford manager Brian Talbot, who inspired many similar displays over Dale when he was the boss at Rushden & Diamonds, came to Spotland with a clear game plan and it worked to maximum effect as the U’s took the three points.

The game was low on quality and even lower on entertainment as the home side failed to produce the flowing football that has taken them to third place in the division. Oxford were not much better but their defensive display and fortuitous goal meant there was only ever going to be one outcome. Both goalkeepers found themselves to be spectators for the majority of the game, the only difference between the two being that Matthew Gilks had to pick the ball out of the net on the hour after Quinn’s wickedly deflected strike.

Not for the first time in recent weeks Steve Parkin was forced to shuffle his pack. With the team struggling for first choice midfielders, Jamie Clarke took up the position that saw him turn in some inspired performances last season. Sheffield Wednesday loanee, Rory McArdle was given his first start as he took up the right back position vacated by Clarke. McArdle was the first to be involved in any form of action as he was booked as early as the third minute. A challenge on Craig Davies was made to look worse than it was thanks to the theatrics of the Oxford striker.

Rochdale created a chance minutes later on one of few occasions were Grant Holt found himself in some space. The striker made his way to the by-line and hit a fierce volleyed cross across the six-yard box. The ball did not reach Lambert who would have had a tap-in to open the scoring, but Chris Willmott almost did the honours with an own goal but the ball deflected clear.

Rochdale did not seem to get going all game and they certainly had not done so in the opening exchanges as Oxford’s midfield began to take control and showed some neat passing, without ever creating many chances. Steve Basham put one of their few opportunities wide of the mark.

The one area where the home side did look capable of threatening the Oxford goal was from set-pieces and a couple of excellent Jamie Clarke deliveries were almost converted. A free-kick outside the box was collected comfortably by Turley via Gareth Griffiths head but McArdle’s header from a corner came much closer; flashing wide of the right-hand upright.

Again Oxford continued to enjoy possession without ever looking dangerous. A scrappy half ensued with the game played mainly in midfield with little in the way of chances thanks to stray passes and a distinct lack of creativity on the part of both sides. Oxford still looked the more threatening with their fast strikers, Davies and former Northampton front-man Eric Sabin, but there was never an end product to force Gilks to make a save.

A late half downpour did little to improve the game and the enjoyment of the fans, who had the prospect of cueing for a half-time brew in a storm having watched a dire half of football to look forward to. However, the home side did manage a shot on target after some neat footwork by Rickie Lambert, one of the few things pleasing to the eye all evening, created the striker some space and he fired a venomous shot along the wet surface that went straight at Turley, much to the home fan’s dismay. It was one of few shots on target for the home side and one of few moments of skill from Lambert who had a poor game.

The second half began in much the same fashion, neither side taking the game to the opposition. Oxford were content in quelling a Rochdale attack that was clearly lacking ideas against the best defence they have faced so far this term. The visitors continued to deal with the high balls that Dale defenders were forced to play due to the tightness of the Oxford midfield and the constant pressure of the nippy front-men.

The first chance of the half was a good one for Chris Willmott as the Oxford defenders attacked a right wing free-kick. Willmott, having lost his marker, powered a header goalwards only for Gilks to tip over. It was a fine save but if the defender had headed downwards Oxford could have gained more than just a corner.

With ten minutes of the second half played Rochdale finally began to string some passes together around the Oxford box and they looked much better for it. Blair Sturrock looked to get in behind defenders after a well-timed Gary Jones pass and after turning his marker the Strurrock looked to be in on goal. However, an excellent recovery tackle prevented a meaningful attempt and Turley gathered the ball.

However, Rochdale’s passing period was short lived and the visitors were rewarded for being the better side on the hour. A shot from outside the area wrong footed Gilks after a wicked deflection.  The Dale keeper was rooted to the spot as the ball went in the corner of the goal to the shock of the Dale fans and to the clear delight of the few that had made the trip from Oxford. Barry Quinn claimed his first goal in over 150 league outings although it could easily have been an own goal, such was the wickedness of the deflection.

With Dale continuing to persist in not threatening the Oxford goal Alan Goodall looked to add some life to the Rochdale side and a couple of good runs from the substitute put Oxford on the back foot. Indeed the Oxford defence were on their heels when Grant Holt made an excellent run past Jon Ashton, although a seemingly sight challenged linesman had a different opinion of Holt’s charge and raised his flag.

Rochdale pressed for an undeserved equaliser following the introduction of Paul Tait in place of the ineffective Lambert. However the closest they came was from a long-range Tony Gallimore effort who had pushed forward with ball to combat the deep Oxford defence. It was an excellent strike along the slick surface but Turley saved well and clung onto the ball to ensure his side took the points.

This was Rochdale’s worst display of the campaign thus far, something which manager Steve Parkin was the first to admit after the game. This poor game will not linger long in anyone’s memory; it is how the side act on this defeat that will be of most interest. With Rochdale’s home record as it is they have to expect sides to come to Spotland and put 11 men behind the ball and force the home side to create. Creativity was clearly absent in this fixture and it is something Dale will have to discover against Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday without the services of suspended star-man Grant Holt.