Rochdale

Odds: 40/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 14 (League Two), 2004/05 - 9 (League Two), 2003/04 - 21 (League Two), 2002/03 - 19 (League Two), 2001/02 - 5 (League Two).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup First Round vs Brentford (h) - lost 1-0.
Carling Cup First Round vs Bradford City (h) - lost 5-0.
Football League Trophy Northern Section Secon Round vs Tranmere Rovers (a) - lost 3-2.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Rickie Lambert (striker) - 22 goals.

Players In
Adam Rundle (Mansfield Town - Free).

Players Out
Paul Tait (Boston United - Free), Tony Gallimore (Northwich Victoria - Free), Gareth Griffiths (Northwich Victoria - Free), Neil Brisco (Released), Blair Sturrock (Released), Scott Warner (Released), Ben Kitchen (Released), Lee Cartwright (Released).

Rochdale have been an inconsistent side over the last few seasons in League Two. One season they look as though they could make an impact in the play offs and the next they are languishing in mid table. Last season was the latter even with Rickie Lambert's 22 goal haul.

The former Blackpool, Macclesfield Town and Stockport County striker gave manager Steve Parkin some good news by stating he was ready to commit his long term future to the Spotland club.

Manager Steve Parkin claimed that the club's player budget "is like feeding a family of five for a week on a tenner" and admitting defeat in his attempts to sign his pre season transfer targets. He has been able to sign Mansfield Town winger Adam Rundle but has been forced to rely on trialists to make up the numbers.

Rochdale are often stereotyped as potential strugglers in the basement division but this season the pessimists have a real case to argue. Much of the last four seasons have been spent in the lower reaches of the table while a win in their 44th match last season escalated Dale to a fourteenth placed finish14th last season. This result went some way to masking a shocking run of just four wins in 27 matches stretching back to November 2005.

Parkin has shipped out several older members of the squad including defensive duo Tony Gallimore and Gareth Griffiths - combined age of 70 - to Conference outfit Northwich Victoria and released 34 year old midfielder Lee Cartwright.

Verdict
Rickie Lambert's decision to remain at the club is positive news for Rochdale but a lack of real transfer activity and a dire run of form indicates they could be in genuine danger of falling into one of the two available relegation spots. Speculative punters may want to get on to the 8/1 available.