After a disappointing result in the FA Cup, it’s back to league action for Yeovil as they travel to league leaders Rochdale on Saturday.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
Consistency remains a major issue for the Glovers this season, both on and off the pitch. Since Richard Dryden was reappointed as manager, the team has shown a real Jekyll and Hyde form. The first three games under Dryden’s leadership featured strong performances and promising results that fans could support, however, in the two matches since the team has looked lacklustre, and the results have reflected that.
The 3-0 home defeat to Boreham Wood was understandable given their opponents strong start to life back in the National League Premier Division status as one of the league’s top sides. But the recent defeat to lower-league Hemel Hempstead was far more concerning. The Glovers looked devoid of confidence. While the Tudors played well, Yeovil were equally poor, leaving travelling fans frustrated after the 2–1 loss and another early exit from the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage.
The only positive was Harvey Greenslade getting back on the scoresheet with a 71st-minute equaliser. Hemel had opened the scoring through Kyle Ajayi and sealed the win three minutes from time when Finley Wilkinson found the net.
Rochdale A.F.C
Dale were also knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend, but their defeat came against much tougher opposition in York City (with no disrespect to Hemel Hempstead). Like Yeovil’s match, York took the lead before Dale equalised in the 72nd minute through top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. However, York struck again in the final minute to end Rochdale’s hopes of progressing.
Outside the Cup, things have gone well for the Greater Manchester side. They’ve lost just one of their last five league matches—a defeat to FC Halifax Town, and only their second of the season, the other coming at Brackley Town at the end of August.
Rochdale currently sit top of the league and remain the only side without a draw this season. That means if the Glovers can come away with even a point, it would be seen as a good result.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE McCORMICK
We’ll be honest it was tough pick this week, with no players really showing any form as of late. But looking back to when we three on the bounce McCormick was one of the real stars of the show.
The midfielder controlled the games, sat back when needed to but also helped out in the attacking third as well. It was the Aldershot game that really caught my attention though, as he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, along with others and brought some joy at a time of need for fans.
Since then he has seemed quiet, and we need his tenacity back if were going to get results. Maybe it’s all the football he is playing catching up with, as he hasn’t missed a minute of football since the Braintree game. Which is indicative of the whole squad, some more players to help rotation in the middle of park could be beneficial to making McCormick tick again.
ROCHDALE – ETHAN EBANKS-LANDELL
This was also a hard choice but for different reasons, do we go for experience and leadership or goalscoring prowess, an we’ve gone for the former. Ebanks-Landell has been a stalwart football league defender for the majority of his career, amassing 286 appearances in the EFL.
Now in the latter years of his career, the centre-back has found a home in the North West. Having joined Rochdale from Shrewbury in the summer of 2022, he has been a leader for Dale. As well as controlling the defensive line, he has become captain which has no doubt contributed to Dale’s success this season.
In fact the two games where he hasn’t played a big part in Rochdale lost both. First against Brackley, where he didn’t feature at all, his side lost 2-1. The second loss was to Halifax, where the 32-year-old played a total of 20 minutes. Maybe the Glovers will have to get him off the pitch if they stand a chance of winning.
THE GAFFER…
Jim McNulty will be in the home dug-out at Spotland on Saturday. A true Rochdale stalwart, McNulty has spent most of his recent footballing life at Spotland. After a solid playing career in the lower leagues with clubs like Brighton, Tranmere, and Barnsley, the Scouser joined Dale in 2015.
He spent eight years as a player at the club before retiring and moving into coaching. As part of the backroom staff, McNulty was involved during a difficult period that saw Rochdale relegated from the Football League in 2023—for the first time in 102 years.
After two short stints as caretaker, Rochdale’s ownership took a chance on their former defender and appointed him as permanent manager. Since then, the 40-year-old has built a strong side aiming for a return to the EFL this season. His record against Yeovil so far? Two wins from two.
LAST TIME WE MET…
Rochdale took all three points the last time the sides met in January, handing Yeovil a heavy 4–0 defeat. Goals from Devante Rodney, Kairo Mitchell, Leon Ayinde, and Jake Burger punished the Glovers in a game most fans will want to forget.
Their last meeting in Somerset also ended in a Dale win, though by a much narrower margin. It was a fairly even contest until Conor McBride struck in the 90th minute to snatch a 1–0 victory and take the points back to Greater Manchester.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
Dan Moss will be a familiar name to Glovers fans. The right-back spent the first half of the 2021/22 season at Huish Park, making 23 appearances during his five-month loan spell. Now 24, he will face his old side.
Glovers’ defender Kyle Ferguson is a name the home fans will recognise. The defender made 25 appearances for Rochdale before making the switch to Yeovil.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Jamie O’Connor is the referee taking charge of today’s game in Greater Manchester. Read Ben’s preview of the man in black – here.