x

Back To Reality

Saints have to bring themselves back to earth after the magnificent win over Sunderland on Saturday when they take on Stoke City at St Mary's.

The problem for Saints when they take on the Potters on Saturday is that they have now set the bar a couple of more notches higher after drubbing the Mackems 8-0, and as older Saints fans know from some hard lessons, inevitably after a great result comes a big drop back down to earth.

But under Ronald Koeman there now seems to be a quiet confidence in the tam not to mention a grounded realism that should hopefully enable us to keep our feet on the ground and not believe our own hype.

Last season a win like this would lead to great talk of Champions League etc but under the Dutchman you have the feeling that he takes every game as it comes and that by doing that he keeps his players feet on the ground.

Of course Saints will start firm favourites to win, but Stoke will not roll over with the same lack of commitment that Sunderland did, as a team we will need to start again and do the basics, the romp of the final 20 minutes on Saturday needs to be put behind us and the steely determination of the first 20 minutes, do that and there is no reason why we should not march on.

What to read next:

TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Oldham Athletic
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Saturday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Oldham Athletic.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Oldham Athletic
Dale’s lunchtime local derby against Oldham Athletic on Saturday will be refereed by GREG ROLLASON.
Dale Drawn Against Leamington In FA Trophy
The draw for the 3rd round of the FA Trophy took place on Monday and Dale have been drawn away from home.
Refwatch - Wealdstone v Rochdale
Dale’s trip to Grosvenor Vale to take on Wealdstone on Saturday will be refereed by STEPHEN PARKINSON.
TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Sutton United
Refwatch - Rochdale v Sutton United
Dale’s home game versus Sutton United on Saturday will be refereed by RICHARD ASPINALL.
TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Bromley (FA Cup 1st Round)
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup first round tie against Bromley.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Bromley (FA Cup 1st Round)
Dale’s FA Cup first round tie at home to Bromley on Saturday will be refereed by AARON BANNISTER.
Refwatch - Barnet v Rochdale
Dale’s trip to Barnet on Saturday will be refereed by JACOB MILES.
TVOS Preview - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Tuesday’s Vanarama National League fixture against FC Halifax Town.