Rochdale are enjoying a terrific season as they sit in second place in League Two and have won through the first three rounds of the FA Cup, including a very credible 2-0 success against Leeds in the last round. Having won through against Torquay and Rotherham – both of which were on the road – the visit of a huge club such as Leeds would have been welcomed and the fact that they were able to win through and receive another home tie against a Championship club will be music to the ears of the board. They come into this weekend’s match on the back of three consecutive home victories where they have scored eight and conceded none. They have every right to be confident of taking another scalp as they focus again on the cup.
Sheffield Wednesday are one of a host of Championship clubs who have sought to change their manager in the first half of the season, getting rid of Dave Jones at the beginning of December. Stuart Gray has been in temporary charge ever since then and word is that he is close to being offered the job on a permanent basis. Since assuming control he has oversaw vast improvements in performances and results as the Owls come into this match unbeaten in seven in all competitions. They may only be two points outside the relegation zone but it’s a massive difference compared to where they were before the managerial change occurred.
Promotion in the league will also be far more of a priority for a side like Rochdale but the romance of the FA Cup remains alive and well at the lower level and from the players to the supporters they will want to see how far they can progress to. Considering their exploits to date whatever happens is obviously a bonus but having saw off a higher ranked club in the last round they have a realistic chance of progressing even further.
Wednesday required a replay to get the better of conference side Macclesfield after a draw in the original match which was away from home. It’s further evidence how much of a leveller the FA Cup is, especially when the supposed favourite is away from home. They are on their best run of form this season but there’s enough experience in the squad to know that if they want to win through the fourth round, they have to be at their very best.
It may not be the most glamorous of ties this weekend but it’s an old fashioned FA Cup encounter and both clubs will believe they have a good chance of reaching the next round. Both managers set out their sides to attack and that is evidenced with the regularity they have found the net in recent weeks. It promises to be a close tie and is one where both teams can get on the score sheet.
Both teams to score 4/5 @ Skybet
