Rochdale vs Bradford. FA Cup Preview

Stoppable force will face moveable object this Saturday when Bradford host Rochdale in the FA cup. Whilst Rochdale are in the relegation places of League 1, considering their crowds, staying up will be a solid season all round.

Bradford on the other hand, had just short of 10,000 turn up for their latest league defeat and will consider their spot, 21st in League 2 and one point about the drop zone, a major underachievement.

Steve Eyre is a managerial rookie, compared to Parkinson, who is at his fourth club and his 8th year of management. Both are under pressure.

Eyre continues to have his every bad move criticised and his every good move ignored by fans who have come to expect top half finishes in League One.

Parkinson has to appease fans who have had to change their expectations from staying in the Premiership, to staying in the Championship, to staying in League One, to getting promoted from League 2 to now, doing better than scrapping for relegation to the non-league; all within 10 years. It`s a slide that`s been hard to stop.

Eyre is seeing it as a chance to kick start Dale`s season. Speaking to the BBC he said: “I don’t see the FA Cup as a distraction, I see it as an interesting challenge. I’m waiting to use the phrase ‘I’m proud of my players’ on a winning evening or Saturday.”

Here`s hoping he`s saying it this Saturday after the trip to Valley Parade.

Here at Vital Rochdale we`re predicting Rochdale to get through 2-1. Agree? Get commenting below.