Rochdale vs Bromley (FA Cup) preview
We’ve been here before. Who would have thought history would repeat itself with the roles reversed?
In 2016/17, Bromley drew Rochdale away in the first round of the FA Cup. At the time, Bromley were a mid-table National League side and Rochdale were in League Two.
Bromley travelled to Greater Manchester with high hopes that they could cause an upset and snatch the ever-elusive place in round two.
It was not to be. The Ravens were put to the sword in a 4-0 humiliation that once again saw them fluff their lines at the first-round stage.
If Bromley were to reach the second round, it would be their first time at that stage in 79 years, so let us not underestimate the importance of this game. For many old-timers, this is the last item on their bucket list.
Of course, the roles are now reversed, with Rochdale in the National League and Bromley in League Two. Will Bromley do to Rochdale what they had done to them?
Rochdale are in their second season at the National League level. Last season saw them fail to get promoted at the first attempt, with Rochdale stalwart Jimmy McNulty in the hot seat in his first official managerial post. In reality, his task was to stabilise the club on and off the pitch following their relegation the previous season.
This season, however, McNulty’s mandate is clear and his Mission: Promotion Challenge is well underway. At the time of writing, Rochdale sit in 6th place, eight points off top spot, so they are firmly in the play-off conversation at least.
While they lost exciting attacking-midfielder Tyrese Sinclair to current league leaders York City, Rochdale kept hold of last season’s top-scorer Kairo Mitchell. The frontman, who has nine goals to his name already this season, is complemented by new signings Colin McBride, Aidan Barlow, and former Wealdstone winger Tarryn Allarakhia.
Rochdale’s recent form is a bit sketchy. With only three wins in their last eight matches, they are failing to show the level of consistency that would likely lead to a top-three challenge. However, they do boast the third-best defensive record in the National League, so there is good reason to believe that Bromley will not have an easy ride at the Spotland Stadium.
If Andy Woodman is bothered by the club’s FA Cup record then he should be going all-guns-blazing to create another piece of history at Bromley Football Club.
I am sure he is acutely aware of Bromley’s second-round hoodoo, and for that reason I expect him to go full-strength at Rochdale. No giving players minutes and rotating.
With no Tuesday game immediately after the cup tie, it makes sense to play your strongest eleven.
Given Michael Cheek’s substitute goal cameo last weekend, I expect him to return to the starting lineup. The only real question is whether Louis Dennis gets a start alongside him. I have a certain amount of bias where Louis is concerned, but I do think the two of them have good chemistry.
Further back, we also saw our first glimpse of Carl Jenkinson at right back against Barrow last Saturday. I don’t think Rochdale is the time to experiment, but at some point this season, will we see Danny Imray on the wing with Jenkinson behind him?
Would you experiment or would you go with the strongest possible XI? Either way, who are you picking for this one?
The From Bromley with Love XI
Smith
Sowunmi Webster Grant
Imray Thompson Leigh Odutayo
Whitely
Cheek Olomola
Please note all match photographs in this article are by Martin Greig - please follow him on Twitter here
All articles are edited by Peter Etherington you can link to him here
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