By Cameron Hogwood
Gillingham enter this weekend’s clash against Rochdale as the only team yet to have earned a clean sheet in League One this season.
Fifth-placed Rochdale will be on the hunt for their fourth win in a row across all competitions as they look to pile the pressure on fourth-placed Bradford.
The away side’s trip to the Priestfield Stadium comes on the back of their 4-0 thrashing of Walsall, who now sit one place below Gillingham.
Keith Hill’s men will be looking to put an end to their hosts’ five game unbeaten league record in Saturday’s fixture. Rochdale’s first seven game winning run at home in the league since between March and April 2008 is sure to give them confidence as they travel to face the 16th placed Gills.
Hill told rochdaleafc.co.uk: “I think we’ve performed well and consistently throughout the course of the season and now that is being provided with points, there’s no question about that.”
He added: “From a manager’s perspective, I’m really, really, really pleased that we’re picking up points and that’s what’s really important for any club, any manager and any player up and down the land.”
Dale have been missing several key players over the past few weeks including striker Calvin Andrew, who is currently serving a 12 match ban for elbowing Oldham’s Peter Clarke.
9 home wins in a row ✅
21 goals scored ✅
2 goals conceded ✅⚽️👏 #RAFC pic.twitter.com/PEdVIVqbkx
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) November 23, 2016
Gillingham have also had to deal with several absences but could see the return of forward Frank Nouble, who came on as a late substitute in their 1-0 defeat against Oxford.
Manager David Kerslake told gillinghamfootballclub.com: “Chris Herd and Frank Nouble have had a good week of training, so they’ll be in contention tomorrow. We seem to be getting there now, we’re getting our players back and up-to-speed.”
Kerslake also discussed the threat Rochdale pose, adding: “They’re a good team, they took to play, they have good midfielders and lots of pace out wide. They’ve scored a lot in the last few games, but we think our centre-halves will be able to handle that.”