Why Rochdale MUST stick with a back three - for now
25.08.26, 23:25 Updated 25.08.26, 23:25
Matt Turner
IT ultimately did not work in terms of a result, but Rochdale’s change in formation for Saturday’s defeat to Crawley Town was welcome.
And for now at least, the feeling is it has to be one they stick with.
Having lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation throughout pre-season and the first three competitive fixtures, manager Ian Watson changed to a three-at-the-back system at the weekend – a move fans had been calling for after the desperately poor way in which they were hammered at Newport County on the opening day.
Put simply, he had no choice – the system is more suited to the players he had at his disposal – but it at least showed his willingness to be adaptable.
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Matt Turner A lifelong Rochdale fan, Matt has a decade of experience in sports journalism including a brief spell reporting on The Dale for the Rochdale Observer. He currently writes for the Warrington Guardian sports desk.