'Pick 'em up', where art thou?

Rochdale AFC 0 - 1 Wycombe Wanderers FC

Journey:

I can't blame Sudden roundabout for my 35 minute journey to Spotland today. I can't - because it isn't a roundabout anymore. The ongoing improvements dictated that both Edinburgh Way and Roch Valley Way were closed to traffic. Meaning the ex-roundabout was converted into a contra-flow cum cone storage area. A long and infuriating diversion via Spotland Bridge was the alternative - thanks RMBC - you're the best!

Food:

Diet Coke, Pie (just one), coffee at half time - fingers now devoid of finger prints. Mr. Keane and Mr. Turner opted for the burger option again (can't see the fascination my self) - Mr. Mitchell was captured on a hidden camera scarfing down a Twix.

Weather:

Grey, grey, grey. Not cold, not windy - not much of anything really.

Away Support:

About 100 - maybe a few more. A decent showing for such a long trip. A vocal minority kept up a fairly consistent chat of 'Rent Boys' throughout the game. I am obliged to querry this - as it pre-supposes that anyone would be willing to pay your typical Dale fan for what I am told transpires in some public conveniences. As for 'boys' - for me that ship left the harbour a very long time ago.

Action:

As the game began I was really excited. I had in fact been in a state of un-reasonable excitement since Tuesday. Following the win against 'that' Yorkshire last Saturday I was convinced that the metaphorical corner had been turned and that I was going to see Dale win for the first time in 2008. I was therefore devasted when I learned that Jack Frost had robbed us of our chance to rack up three more points against the ever hapless Notts County. Disappointment turned to fury as I was targetted as a 'figure of fun' by Bury fans over the brazier incident on Monday night. I think I handled it pretty well - I simply pointed out that Bury wouldn't have enough fans to do the same at Gigg(le) Lane if the need ever arose. Oh - and they have a rubbish ground.

So, excited - and with a point to prove.

Dale started like a thunder bolt. They moved and kept the ball well and seemed to have caught Wycombe cold. Young Billy Buckley seemed to work well with Howe and it seemed only a matter of time before the ball would be nestling in the back of the net.

I was and wasn't dissappointed...

On 13 minutes Wycombe were ahead through Leon Knight. Wycombe's first real effort of the game - and we were behind: again!

Un-bowed Dale fought on in the same spirit they had begun the game. They strung together a few decent chances and had a couple of promising close range free-kicks - one of which looked for all the world like it ought to have been a penalty. However, as the interval whistle blew the score remained 1-0 to Wycombe.

As half-time unfolded I was treated to Desmond and Spotty the Dale-mation (oh, god) frolic with the crowd and a group of distictly non-plussed youths traipse round the pitch holding up the winning 'Golden Gamble' number - 822 if you are interested. Whilst this feast for the eye rolled by I noticed that something was missing... 'Get off my train' wasn't in the crowd.

When you stand in the same place week-in, week-out you come to recognise certain regulars - and 'Get off my train' is almost like a landmark down and to my right (I won't explain why he is called 'Get off my train' - watch Ghost and then scan the Sandy to the right of the goal - you'll see what I mean). We are also treated to 'Staedler & Waldorf' two old boys immediately behind us who moan about everything. 'Tony Havana' - behind and to our right - looks like an ex-porn star and also moans about everything.

Then it really hit me - where was 'Pick 'em up'?

'Pick 'em up' is a strangulated scream which emenates from the rear of the Sandy and accompanies every corner Dale have defended for years - and also as I was to discover an anonymous looking middle aged man with an extravagant 'tache. I hadn't heard him at all this season - and feared for his well being. Mr. Keane reassured me that he was still there - and pointed him out to underline the fact. Why has 'Pick 'em up' been becalmed? Then the horrible possibility occurred - perhaps even he has lost the faith?

The second half kicked-off - and Dale were right back at it. They had more of the ball and were making the most of it. The Wanderers didn't really offer much but contained the Dale with a clinical professionalism which was tedious and admirable in the same breath.

Despite Dale's vigorous huffing and puffing there was still no break through. The fifty first minute saw the introduction of Higginbottom and LeFondre in place of the impressive Buckley and the endlessly disappointing Muirhead. LeFondre made an almost instant impact - lashing the ball just north of the bar with his second touch.

As time ran down Dale pushed forward again and again - but in spite of this Wycombe remained resolute and largely untroubled. The highlight of the half was LeFondre's shot on the turn from inside the Wanderers area - agonizingly, just inches wide.

1-0 to Wycombe - probably fair on balance - but still deeply disappointing. Another week goes by and I have yet to see Dale win in 2008.

Summary:

Young Buckley was great value. LeFondre remains a god-like genius. Jones and Perkins excellent as always. Holness and McArdle were outstanding - I particularly enjoyed McArdle's dribble past two men on the edge of his own 18 yard box. Spencer deputised well between the sticks and apart from recovering the ball from the net was barely involved. With so much good to recount - it is galling to report yet another defeat. The win will come - believe in the sign...

Turner Watch:

My belief is that getting his own section of the match report has gone to Mr. Turners head (alarming, I am sure you will agree). At times I felt he was deliberately hamming it up to steal the headlines. He sang ('Money for nothing' and rather bizarely 'We're off to see the Wizard'), danced and at one point went into some kind of aerobics routine.

However, all this was forgivable as through some bare faced cheek he had snagged me a complimentary ticket for the game. 8/10.

23/02/09