After relegation from the Football League last season, Rochdale have managed to ensure a steady mid-table finish this term; all the more impressive given the off-field challenges and constraints on boss Jim McNulty.
With new ownership on the horizon and an encouraging campaign in which they have adjusted admirably to the level, Dale will feel that they have a realistic chance of pushing for the top seven next season.
However, they will no doubt need to strengthen their squad – a luxury that perhaps McNulty has not had this term – and so with that in mind I take a look at some areas which they need to strengthen in and suggest some targets they should go for.
New Number One – Dave Richards (free)
The Dale have relied largely on use of the loan market this season to bring in short-term loans. However, if Rochdale are to be a play-off competing side next season, I think that they need the security of a regular number one and as such I think they should look at Dave Richards.
On the books of Crewe Alexandra and having spent much of this term out on loan with Scottish side St Johnstone, it is clear that Richards does not have a future with The Railwaymen beyond this term; he is out of contract at the end of this season while he was also made available for transfer at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. The goalkeeper will be looking to go and find a more regular playing berth for next season, and as such could be the answer to Dale’s calls.
Richards has experience of being promoted from League Two with Crewe Alexandra. North of 30 appearances in League One as recently as the 2021-22 campaign, Richards may well be at the point in his career – after playing a largely backup role for much of his professional career – that he wants to now find himself a starting role.
Starting Right Back – Tyrrell Warren (free)
Rochdale do have a right back option in Jimmy Keohane, and have called upon the likes of Kwaku Oduroh and more recently Kyron Gordon. However, I feel that they would benefit from adding another right-sided option of superior quality and as such recommend that they look at Barrow’s Tyrrell Warren.
Warren is on the books of Pete Wild’s League Two side, but has not featured heavily for Barrow this term with just 15 league games; albeit, much of those have been enforced through injury. He is out of contract in the summer and with Barrow trying to chase automatic promotion under Wild, Warren may not see his contract extended at Holker Street. If that is the case, I think Dale should make a move for the former FC Halifax Town man as I feel he would be a coup for the National League.
During his time at The Shay, Warren showed himself to be a powerful, athletic and quick full-back that is ideal for a wing-back role as he has played during his time at Barrow and indeed The Shaymen under Wild. Speaking to a Barrow fan, they are undecided on whether he will be kept on going into next season albeit the overall consensus is that perhaps a step down into the National League could well be of benefit to him at this point in his career.
The fact that he has been out for the period he has through injury may mean that Wild looks for alternative options in the summer, especially given that Barrow could well be in League One and at the very least challenging at the top end of League Two. His campaign in the National League with FC Halifax Town was promising, he has good pedigree in youth spells at Manchester United, and he also spent time with Salford City; there is a player there. He fits the model of the type of player that Dale have tried to sign this year, and so I think he ticks a lot of boxes.
Starting Left Back – Max Conway (transfer)
The first of two players on this list that will be well-known to Dale boss Jim McNulty – given that he has spent time at Spotland on loan this year – is Max Conway. Despite being under contract at parent club Bolton Wanderers, I think that Conway could be one that with looser purse strings in the summer they might be able to prize away from the UniBol.
There are a couple of factors as to why I feel Conway could be attainable for Dale on a permanent basis. With Bolton Wanderers in the mix to be promoted from League One and first-team opportunities seemingly limited, Conway may want to go and find a permanent home in which to knuckle down and accelerate his development. Also, Conway’s agent is the same as that of current Dale midfielder Ryan East, and so there is the potential leverage with which to work a deal.
Conway will no doubt be of interest to AFC Fylde, with whom he has spent the main part of this season. However, I think that he will still be of interest to Dale and as such I wouldn’t be surprised to see McNulty re-ignite interest in the youngster; especially after a loan spell with AFC Fylde in which he has shown he is a more than capable left-back for the level.
Centre-Back – Billy Sass-Davies (free)
Rochdale need to add an extra central defender to their ranks during the summer, and one player who I think may be of interest for Rochdale is Billy Sass-Davies. He is no stranger to the National League and is out of contract at the end of this season, and Sass-Davies is a player who I feel would benefit from McNulty’s coaching.
Sass-Davies on the books of League Two side Crewe Alexandra, and with a pathway into the first-team few and far between and regular minutes limited to loans away from the club, I expect Sass-Davies to be let go. However, Sass-Davies is always one that has impressed me when I have seen him play, showing himself to be a diligent defender during his time at Yeovil Town, and likewise under Darren Sarll at Woking.
I feel that Sass-Davies needs an environment in which to develop as – in my view – there is a talented player there. North of 20 appearances in League One, games in League Two and a former Welsh youth international, Sass-Davies is a good size and has come through an academy that is renowned as being one of the best in the Football League. Jim McNulty has shown an ability to improve centre-backs during his time in charge, and as such linking up with McNulty could do wonders for his career.
Sass-Davies has spent a number of loans in non-league; indeed, Boreham Wood is his fifth National League club. As such, it is now time for him to depart The Railwaymen and settle somewhere on a permanent basis. He already has North of 130 first-team appearances at the age of 24, and I think he’d represent a useful addition.
Goal Scoring Midfielder – Stefan Mols (free)
Rochdale have some good technical ball-players in their midfield, with Ryan East having been a standout for Jim McNulty’s men with his calm and controlled playing style. However, I think that Dale could do with a player in their midfield who is capable of getting forward and contributing the scoring stakes – all of the top sides have midfielders who can do that – and so I would look at Stefan Mols.
Formerly of Warrington Town, Stefan Mols has spent the campaign with fellow National League North outfit Curzon Ashton and has shown himself to be a hugely talented player who couples an athletic, physical profile with a technical proficiency, strong work-rate and an eye for a goal.
Mols has good pedigree, having come through the ranks of a Blackburn Rovers academy who have a strong recent track record for developing talented young players. Originally from Spain, Mols is a natural athlete and is able to get about the pitch really well, adding mobility, speed and power to the Dale midfield. Indeed, he has been able to constantly break the lines and provide an option in the box from deep, registering 10 goals this term.
Starting Winger – Cian Hayes (free)
The one player that will no doubt be near – or indeed at the top of – Jim McNulty’s list of targets during the close season is Cian Hayes. The wide player doesn’t need an introduction to Dale fans, with the youngster having excelled for Rochdale and by some metrics has been their standout player, and so with Hayes out of contract, Jim McNulty will naturally be eager to bring him back to the club.
There will be lots of interest in the wide player given the levels he has played to this term, however given that he has spent time at Spotland that should put Rochdale near the top of the list for his next move; that could well be a key lever in allowing The Dale to go and steal a march on the other interested sides for his signature.
The strength of Rochdale’s success this term has been centred around Hayes’ form, with the trickery and intricacy of the wide player key in enabling Dale remaining a threat regardless of who they play. He is direct, creative, has good feet and close control. Quite a large proportion of Rochdale’s best attacking work has come through the Town youngster, and so McNulty will certainly be eager to maintain continuity in retaining his services.
Experienced Forward – Josh Parker (free)
The last player on this list is Oxford City front man Josh Parker. The former Gillingham man has had a strong season individually in the National League, and will be rightly confident that he has demonstrated sufficient body of work to suggest that he is able to land another contract in the fifth tier. As such, I think that Dale should make a move for the Hoops front man.
Josh Parker has been one of the shining lights for a Hoops side that have struggled in the National League; his ability to create out of nothing and provide firepower at the top end of the pitch almost single-handedly has been mightily impressive.
Parker is out of contract with Oxford City, and so logistically there isn’t the stumbling block of having to negotiate a transfer. There could potentially be an issue regarding being able to attract Parker to Rochdale, with much of the experienced forward’s career to date having been in the London and South East region. However, given his desire to no doubt remain at the level, an offer from a side such as Rochdale could well be of interest.
Off The Line Blog 
Leave a comment