Ferguson ruled out for season
Blow for youngster Kyle but squad picture in general looking healthier for Mcnulty
ROCHDALE head into one of their busiest spells of the National League season with head coach Jim Mcnulty finally allowed the luxury of selecting from a healthy squad.
Dale have negotiated a tough run of fixtures recently with a number of injuries impacting results.
But they were able to name a strong bench for Saturday’s trip to league leaders Chesterfield, where goals from D’mani Mellor and Devante Rodney helped them recover from two goals down to rescue a point.
Ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Wealdstone, Mcnulty was having to come to terms with losing defender Kyle Ferguson for the rest of the season. But he admitted the outlook in general was healthier than at any stage this season.
Mcnulty confirmed defender Ferguson will need surgery on a thigh problem.
“Kyle Ferguson, unfortunately, has had a real significant injury in training, which we’re devastated about,” commented Mcnulty.
“He gives everything. He’s got the perfect attitude, and he wants to help the team.
“He got a real significant thigh strain and he’s going to need surgery on that. He’s going to be out for a number of months.
“It’s a difficult one for Kyle after the season he’s had, which hasn’t really got going for him.”
With almost a full squad to choose from – just Ferguson and goalkeeper Brad Kelly are out injured – Mcnulty had to omit some players from his 16-man matchday squad.
Dale have a busy schedule of Saturday-tuesday matches coming up, which, Mcnulty says, will mean he has to rotate his squad.
“For the first time ever, I’ve been able to rotate. I’ve been able to bring players out that have needed a rest.
“I’ve been watching performances and you get to that 30-game stage of a season, and people do plateau.
“They can feel flat and they do need a bit of inspiration, or find the best version of themselves again. But we’ve not been able to do that, we’ve had to bat on, no matter how those players have been batting.
“There were guys not part of the squad in Jesurun [Uchegbulam], Cameron John and Max Taylor.
“I’ve got to keep my eyes on them and look for the guys out there that need help and a rest.
“None of them will want to rest because they want to help us and they’re desperate to fight. I’ll have to fight with my own players to sometimes tell them what I think is best for
them. We’ve got a monstrous schedule coming up. We’re a good few games behind teams. Having a healthier, deeper squad gives us the best chance of coping with that
schedule and the run-in.”
After the midweek clash against Wealdstone at the Crown Oil Arena, Dale face back-to-back long trips, firstly to Barnet on Saturday and just three
days later they venture further south for a midweek fixture at Ebbsfleet United.
That is followed by a home double header against Oxford City on
Saturday 9th March and then Woking come to the Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday 12th March ahead of another long journey – to Eastleigh – on Saturday 16th March.