Dale begin the first of three games in a week with a trip to Colchester.
The U’s picked up their first victory last time out as they overcame ten-man Oldham Athletic, unbeaten so far in their two games.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Tickets for the game are on sale via our ticketing site Fanbase.
Advance prices are available until 4pm on Friday. Dale fans have seated tickets in the North Stand.
Click HERE for the full details.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Dale Player is your place to keep up to date with the action, bringing you live audio direct from Colchester.
Supporters who have subscribed to Dale Player in our previous two seasons must sign up with a new account.
Overseas supporters can watch the game in full.
Click HERE to sign up for monthly or yearly passes.
PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW
Ian Watson spoke on the challenge of facing Colchester United, an update on Laurence Maguire and further recruitment.
You can read what he had to say HERE, with a link to the full interview included.
TEAM NEWS
The Head Coach confirmed that Laurence Maguire had suffered an injury setback and therefore will not be involved this Saturday, likewise with Sam Beckwith.
Devante Rodney, who missed our game at home to Crawley Town, has also been ruled out through injury.
Cian Hayes remains on the sidelines, with Casey Pettit and Will Jenkins the long-term absentees.
Jonny Smith is available for minutes after recovering from a previous injury.
THE OPPOSITION
Overview – Colchester United are into their 11th straight season in League Two, after a lengthy stint in the third tier. During that time, the club have flirted with the playoff positions up until the 2019/20 season when they faced Exeter in the semi-finals, which ended in defeat in extra-time. Inconsistent seasons followed with two in three fighting relegation before their rise under the Cowley brothers.
Manager – Danny Cowley (47yo, appointed Jan 4th 2024). The former Lincoln manager kept Colchester up on the final day of the 2023/24 season and the club have kicked on from there. The following season, the U’s finished tenth, just three points from the playoff positions.
Last Game – Colchester United 2-1 Oldham Athletic (63′ Anderson, 90+4, Own Goal).
Top League Goalscorer (2026/27) – Ellis Iandolo, Rob Hunt & Harry Anderson (1).
New Signings
Thimothee Lo-Tutala (GK)
Jake Leake (RB)
Sean Raggett (CB)
Paul Digby (CM)
Leon Chiwome (FW)
Oscar Thorn (FW)
Bradley Ihionvien (FW)
Moses Sesay (FW)
PLAYED FOR BOTH
There are two members of Dale’s squad that plied their trade with Col U, starting with Ian Henderson. In January 2010, Hendo flew back from a spell in Turkey to head to Essex. The forward spent three-and-a-half-years there before being loaned to Dale initially in summer 2013.
Additionally, Luke Hannant had a stint with Colchester from 2021 to 2023. He scored his first goal in a EFL Cup tie at Ipswich Town which proved to be the winner, before he moved on loan to Scotland for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
Other names include David Perkins, Michael Rose and Tarryn Allarakhia.
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 54
Rochdale Wins – 14
Draws – 20
Colchester Wins – 20
Most recent matchup – Dale 1-2 Colchester United (14th Jan 2023).
First ever matchup – Colchester United 2-1 Dale (6th Sep 1958).
JOBSERVE COMMUNITY STADIUM
Our hosts have put together a first visitors guide, which you can read through HERE.
OFFICIALS
Referee | Declan Bourne.
Assistants | Lee Venamore & Joe Wright.
Fourth Official | Harry Wager.
