Strugglers Rochdale host an in-form Plymouth side at The Crown Oil Arena

After their midweek loss away to Blackpool, Dale manager Brian Barry-Murphy will be looking for a positive response as Plymouth visit The Crown Oil Arena this weekend.

The loss on Wednesday night was Rochdale’s third consecutive defeat, and with just one win in their previous 11, the club find themselves firmly in an unwanted relegation fight.

The visitors arrive in contrasting form registering three wins in their previous five, the Pilgrims sit in tenth position and just four points off the Play-Offs.

Despite often being praised for their bravery and willingness to attack, it has actually cost Dale dearly this season and as a result, they have the leakiest defence in the division.

In just 28 games they have conceded 55 goals, and with an average of almost two goals a game, there is cause for concern as Barry-Murphy looks for improvements.

Plymouth will be hoping leading talisman Luke Jephcott can capitalise on the opposition’s weakness, as he looks to add to his already impressive 16 league goals this season.

However, one aspect manager Ryan Lowe will certainly be looking to improve on his sides away form having only managed 13 points in as many games on the road this season. If the Pilgrims are serious about a promotion push heading into the latter part of the season, this is something they must address.

Last time out at home, Rochdale were on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat to MK Dons. The Dons opened the scoring after five minutes before Matty Lund equalled things up just before the break. Three goals in seven minutes however were enough to win as Rochdale suffered again on home soil.

Lund, who is now in his second spell at the Dale, is the clubs leading goalscorer this season notching 12 for the campaign. The midfielder was named as the EFL League One Player of the Month for January after a great month individually for the Scotsman.

While young starlet winger Kwando Baah has also impressed in recent weeks, with the 18-year-old picking up the EFL Young Player of the Month award for January.

Baah, who is due to join Manchester City at the end of the season, will be looking to continue his recent purple patch as the Pilgrims visit.

Team News

Rochdale are reporting more or less a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday’s game. Jimmy Ryan is the only doubt after sustaining a knee injury, while club captain Eoghan O’Connell has recovered from the hamstring problems that kept him out in recent weeks.

Veteran central defender Paul McShane is also in contention after recovering from a calf injury, he featured on the Dale bench during their midweek loss away to Blackpool.

For the Pilgrims, club captain Gary Sawyer and midfielder Lewis Macleod both continue to make good progress on their return from injury, however, manager Ryan Lowe is not looking to rush them back and has confirmed they will both miss the encounter.

Some positive news is that Joe Edwards is firmly back in contention, after making a full recovery from a knee injury. The defender made an appearance off the bench in last weekend’s victory over Fleetwood Town.

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