Opposition Report | Rochdale

Rochdale have had a difficult start in their first season back in the EFL since 2023, as they remain one of the two sides at the bottom without a point.

An opening day 3-0 loss on the road to Newport County wasn’t on the cards for Dale's return to the Football League, with the Dale falling to 10 men after the hour mark. This was followed by a 2-1 defeat at home to Crawley, with Ebanks-Landell getting on the scoresheet, and a loss to Colchester in Essex courtesy of a late Jaden Williams winner.

A win on penalties against Tranmere in the Preliminary Round of the EFL Cup gave Rochdale something to cheer about, before being dumped out in the first round away to Bradford. Rochdale will fancy their chances at home against Salop today, as they desperately search for that first point since losing Jim McNulty to Stockport.

The Head Coach

Head Coach Ian Watson was originally a left-back in his playing career, where he featured at regional level for sides in the North East of England. His foray into professional management began when he joined Gateshead in 2019, initially as a strength and conditioning coach before being promoted to assistant manager under then-manager Mike Williamson.

At Gateshead, the pair managed to win promotion from the National League North in 2022 and reached a play-off final in 2023. Watson then followed Williamson to MK Dons, where they managed to turn around the form of the Buckinghamshire side to reach the play-offs that season. Following his manager's dismissal, Watson had spells at Carlisle as a first-team coach, with a short return to MK Dons, before being offered the managerial role at South Shields.

In his first season on the Tyne Estuary, he managed to get South Shields to a club-record highest finish of 2nd place in the National League North, losing in the play-off final to Kidderminster Harriers. He joined his current side this summer, replacing the departing McNulty.

Ethan Ebanks-Landell

A name that will be very familiar to Shrewsbury fans, ex-Salop captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell is starting his 5th season in Greater Manchester. Starting his career in the academy at Wolverhampton, the West Bromwich-born centre-back had a number of loan spells at EFL clubs, including Bury, Sheffield United, MK Dons and his current side, before coming to Shropshire on a free transfer and making over 100 appearances in Blue and Amber. The commanding centre back then moved to Rochdale, as skipper overseeing a relegation and a return to the Football League, scoring the club’s only league goal so far this season.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe

Target man Dieseruvwe is The Dale’s main attacking threat up front. The 6’5” attacker started his career in the Sheffield Wednesday academy, before moving on to Chesterfield and then breaking into the non-league game with Kidderminster. He was then snapped up by Salford, providing a stable attacking option as they rose up the leagues. A short stint at Tranmere Rovers followed, with a successful return to non-league with Halifax and Hartlepool seeing his goal tally hit double figures over three seasons. He joined Rochdale in 2025, with his 26 league goals playing a vital part in their promotion.

Ian Henderson

41-year-old Ian Henderson is a living legend at Rochdale, entering his 12th season with the club split over two spells. Breaking into the Norwich first team at age 17, he became a regular sight at Carrow Road in the first division, leaving in 2007 to join Northampton. A season at Luton Town and an injury disrupted season in the Turkish Super Lig came next, before establishing himself at Colchester. His first spell at Rochdale started in 2013, where he then hit double figures in seven consecutive seasons and led the line for their promotion to League One. He left in 2020 for two seasons at Salford, then returning to Rochdale in 2022. He broke the club's all-time goalscoring record, reaching 169 goals in over 520 appearances.

Ryan East

Deep-lying midfielder Ryan East was celebrated as the 50th player to graduate from The Royals’ academy. He left the club after a decade in 2021, joining Swindon and Bradford City, gaining regular playing time in League Two. He joined The Dale on loan in 2023, before making the deal permanent that December. Since then, he has gone on to make over 100 appearances in Greater Manchester, providing key passes from deep, an extra line of defence, and a threat from set pieces.