Episode 3 Late Kick Off North West

This man likened Rochdale to Brazil at the weekend. Tonight John

Coleman will tell us why. Welcome Coming up tonight, it's just like

watching Brazil. Dale's double derby delight. A win and a boss the

fans want Stanley's new start, we're at the Crown Ground for the

other side of the John Coleman story And are Oldham Wembley bound?

They are a different team, a totally different team. We bring

you tonight's action from Boundary Park. With me tonight in the studio,

man of the moment John Coleman alongside a former Rochdale manager

and an ex-boss of Preston, Paul Simpson. But still had not started

13 seasons and they are hoping for some luck today. But they needed.

Rochdale are part some of the league. -- but they need it.

Rochdale are bottom of the lake. A local derby against Bury. We are on

the way. He is my best friend and a fan. We are not caught the drift

completely. It could look different in two weeks'. I think buried will

win. Why it do you think about the new manager? Hopefully he will do

the same for us. Before this new era began at Spotland began I spoke

to club chairman Chris Dunphy. What was the thinking behind the

appointment up Steve air? They had a team to take over and it needed a

bit of tweaking. It is always difficult. He ended up with half a

squad. By we are thinking there was a manager who could develop a

players but it did not work out that way. Neither of the players

worked out for you. What was the thinking behind getting John and

Jimmy? He stepped up to the plate and I would like to thank him for

what he did in that situation. I think we found it in for a few

months last season. -- firmed it in. It was the sort of thing that a

sticking-plaster would not fix. John was the absolute perfect fix

for what we were trying to-do. Having met him I saw that he was

someone who was entirely focused and passionate about the game and

did a fantastic job. It was quite an easy decision. This was more

than local pride at stake, Dale in deep trouble and Bury wanting to

push on to the play offs. Jean Louis Akpa Akpro tapping in.after

skipper Gary Jones set up the chance... It was all Dale and five

minutes before the break Ashley Grimes added a second. The Shakers

looked shaky and to make it a perfect start for John Coleman and

Jimmy Bell, Grimes was on hand to make it safe just ten minutes after

the re-start. Three points played their local rivals off the park and

off the bottom. It is easy to be a manager when you have players like

best. They believe in themselves and it is all about the players. --

players are like this. They have played some great football. It is

amazing that a new player canned -- manager can come into a different

team. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

This is 100 % better than last week. I have no complaint with the scores

but I have some complaints about the performance of the players.

This is the third time I have come out and not been able to defend my

players. When the manager comes in you know that if you do not perform

you do not play. You could not have scripted it better. It did not seem

bike they were at the bottom. -- like they were at the bottom. They

were well on the ball and they were into the game. You have to thank

the players. Jimmy did not play on Saturday, as much as he wanted to.

We had to alter or the formation a little bit to get the opposition on

the ball a little bit. There had to be a little bit more confidence.

You must have had a lot of confidence in yourself. How

impressed have the ban but the attitude on the pitch and how did

you imagine it would be. -- you must have had confidence on the

pitch. Paul has probably been in this situation. He has got some

great Mids. He also has an all new set of players. Torfaen great moves.

-- great moves. I was losing some of the names have way through

saying them. How would you have approached it, because, out wide

Rochdale? You have been teased before. People have pursued you

before. It was the location. It was also the infrastructure of the club.

Everything is in place to be successful at this level. Has there

been any promises of money? You are not going out and buying players

when you're at the bottom of the lake. -- of the league. There are

teams that were at a place where we want to be. Talking of

infrastructure, I want to get on to Accrington in a moment, but what

are you trying to say? It would be unfair to compare the two clubs.

There is support that goes with that that his financial support. --

I would love a league team at that stage. We are still playing catch-

up and we are doing our best. kind of club is it? You will come

out and back it if it is getting a result. If John can get them

playing the kind of football that Accrington was playing them that is

why they want someone like him. He has transformed the club around. He

has a bit of a start because Keith Hill has done a fantastic job. I

feel bad for Steve Hill because he has -- for Steve because he has

brought in some new players and we know what happens when it goes bad

for her Bamforth up you get there. Last season... I hope Johnny can

keep it going. Rochdale hadn't won at home in four months and started

Saturday bottom of the League One table. His first game? The small

matter of a local derby against a Bury side pushing for the play-off

places. They might not have won, but after just one victory in their

last twelve League games, having last twelve League games, having

muich the better of promotion chasing Huddersfield must have felt

like one for Tranmere. They were much the better side for most of

the afternoon and almost took the lead first through MustafaTyriaki

and then from Martin De-vain-ey after Tyriaki's good work on the

right. There might have been feelings of 'here we go again' when

Town took a second half lead through highly regarded striker

Jordan Rhodes but Rovers refused to let their grip on the game go. They

were level within minutes, Adam McGurk heading home the equaliser

the game, Les Parry's side will feel they did enough to win. James

wallace's shot was shovelled around the post by Ian Bennett, Lateef

Elford Alliyu was also thwarted by the visiting keeper who knew

precious little about Ryan Brunt's goalbound effort that hit him and

somehow stuck rather than cross the line for the winner Rovers so badly

wanted. The Graham Westley era at Preston North End has started

somewhat slowly with one point from a possible nine. They'll have

wished their trip to Yeovil had a similarly unremarkable opening but

it didn't and Craig Morgan's third minute sending off ensured an

uphill battle at Huish Park. The ten men went behind on the half

hour, Clark Carlisle unable to cut out the through ball to Andy

Williams who advanced on Stuckmann and scored. Yeovil doubled their

lead after the break after another long bal not dealt with by the

North End defence. The ball was squared to Williams who tapped in

his second. Preston did battle back and make a game of it late on when

Carlisle got forward to head home, but even the dismissal of Paul

Huntington late on couldn't help them find an equaliser and prevent

It is going to be difficult be curse at Rochdale have been on a

rise. A lot of financial changes at the football club, a lot of

personnel changes. Graham has gone in with a great record and working

on a shoestring budget in comparison with Preston so he has a

big job on his hands. I think the first thing he has to do is get the

players together. There is a lot of negative coming through the club at

the moment. Once he gets the players on his side, he has decent

players. A those rumours about text messages,

is that just Styles needing to come through? I think so, yes. If it is

true. If players are finding out they have been left out of the side

at 2am by a text message, I don't think that is the right way to do

it. Graham obviously thinks it is. If you are sending text messages,

training long hours, that is all fine as long as you get results. So

far he has not. But we are talking about three games so fast, so there

is a long way to go. Let's have a look at where our League One side

stand at the moment. Bury have games against two other teams

against them. That is that Charlton tomorrow and then home to

Hartlepool on Saturday. All of our other League One teams currently

reside in the bottom half. If now it is debating that John

left behind. Last Monday he announced his departure from

Accrington Stanley after 12 years. It meant a strange week to players

and it was Leem Richardson who had to get them through it. With the

Stanley side of things, here is Sarah Mulkerrins.

Their ground look lonely this week. John has been at the heart of the

club for over a decade and when he announced his departure, the mood

was gloomy. John and Jimmy said there have been

a few tears. Backroom staff as well, not just players. To be fair, they

have responded. We got them up onto the training ground on Tuesday, I

gave them a short shop session where we pass the bowl. Once they

had the bowl at their feet, they were professional. It was emotional.

Those players here have been with John and Jimmy for a long time.

Sing them leave was a sad day, but you cannot rest on your laurels.

Happen it does and it was at the Leem Richardson to focus the team

on the weekend. He had his own separate meeting on Tuesday so I

think it was important to sit down and let everyone know the situation.

It stops all of the whispers and opinions. It was only fair on the

lads and that will help them move forward.

This de gout is synonymous to John Coleman. For over 12 years he

stamped his authority on his club and his team cheering. Now,

Accrington Stanley of faced with the unenviable task of finding his

successor. And it is a job that Leem

Richardson wants to be considered for.

The bigger picture is I have been coaching and done various studies

outside of football, but as it comes to was the end of the Korea,

I have doubled with injuries. -- struggled with injuries. I rate

myself highly and I have learnt a lot from previous managers.

Whoever replaces John Coleman will have big bits to fail.

Everyone knew what was going on because he was he of for so long so

it will take time to get used to. bit mixed feelings. He has been

here along time, as everybody knows, he has done a marvellous job.

captain went last week and now the management this week. It is all

change and it was a surprise, but there it is.

Every player will go on like it is a normal game, which it is at the

end of the day. We have to go in with the same appetite as the last

couple of months. If we do that, we will give Gillingham a good game.

Boy did Accrington Stanley start well. Burnley's though from the

keeper in the first minute and Michael Smith was there to tap it

home. Gillingham had other ideas and Jack

-- Danny Jackman's kick levelled -- Danny Jackman's kick levelled

things off. Shortly after, Smith was causing trouble in the box and

put Accrington ahead. On the half-hour mark, it was Smith

again taking Accrington to three. Just before the break, at Smith

claimed his hat-trick. Despite Gavin Tomlin claiming a

break for Gillingham, Stanley held on to the win.

on to the win. A fresh start, yes. Don't forget

about the past, but you have to look forward and push on. We still

have the same goals as when John and Jimmy were in. It is just a

case of regrouping and pushing for that together again.

A lot of grown men saying they have not been afraid to cry, what I your

emotions watching that? Even on Saturday, it is nice to hear some

of the things they said. On Saturday it was a strange feeling.

I felt like a parent to let their child go out on their own for a

drink on their own. You cannot help but think about what is going on,

but you have to focus on yourself. Certainly a text message before the

game for the player saying we were working with them in spirit. I said

to them, just be yourself. What kind of club have been left

behind? I think Accrington have a great

chance of making the play-offs. I left a solid team who I used to

winning games. Of the pitch, we have grown together. It is a lot

better than what we first came into. The big problem that Accrington had,

is they nearly went bust a few years ago. We just did not

anticipate that their crowds would plummet like they did. We played

one year and had 3000, another year had 1000, we lost 2000. When it

goes, you do not know how to get the money so that is why the taxman

was the last one to get paid. They are slowly getting on an even keel

and I think the future is bright. Paul, how would you view Accrington

going forward? Which you be interested in the job? I think it

is a good club. They are synonymous with being a non-League team, but

over the last six years, John and Jimmy and the players that they

bought him, they have made it a Football League club and they are

in the Football League on merit now. Year in, year out they are

competing at the top end. I think it is a strong club. You just asked,

what it is light behind the scenes, it is a club that is a lot stronger

than when he first went in 12 years ago. There is a massive change, it

is a football club that I think has a real chance of getting in the

play-offs. And you will slowly have to wean

yourself off them. You can't just turn the emotions on and off. They

possibly might have gone level with Liverpool. That is going a bit far,

isn't it? More in the second. Stanley are the

top North West team at the moment, here is Delyth Lloyd with more.

Underhill played host with a couple of League to form teams. Barnet

have taken 10 points from the last 12. Crewe won their previous three,

12. Crewe won their previous three, but this was a game out of the

visitors' hands after half-an-hour. They've all stretched David Artell

was down in the box. Barnet's penalty and dismissal for the

defender. Macleod converted the spot-kick. Worse to come before the

break. Adam but Belle's lunch gave the referee little choice but to

bandage as second red. Credit growth on not capitulating, but

their fate was sealed. Macclesfield started superbly

against Cheltenham. Marcus Marshall almost profited after quality build

up play, but was crowded out in the box early on. Colin Daniel came

close soon after. The pressure eventually be paid with Marshall

getting a goal on his debut. Unfortunately, Gary Simpson's side

could not capitalise. Macclesfield duck -- stuck to their side after

the break. There was a shout for handball after the break. With a

worrying five straight league worrying five straight league

A look at the table shows Stanley were not doubt yesterday by Oxford.

Crewe's play-off push has been slowed by the bonnet defeat, but

they host Barnet on Saturday. Macclesfield have to huge games

coming up on Saturday and at home to second bottom Plymouth after

that. Now it is time for the quiz that

every dressing room is talking about. It is our own one on one.

Battling to become their eggheads are Adam McGurk and Owain Fon

Williams. Adam is an expert on at their own home alone. Owain Fon

Williams owns a yellow boat. With What does the official national

anthem of the USA? I know it! It can't be one-0, can it?... Land of

the brave? Something like that? The star-spangled Banner. In the

Simpsons, which they learn is always trying to kill part?

Sideshow Bob. Which planet is known as the Red Planet? Mas. The flop is

associated with which track-and- field event? High jump. How many

red boxes are there in deal or no deal? 30.

22. Here is the noisiest player at the club? Andy Robinson. Graham.

Here his nose regularly late for training? Gym.

Who takes the longest in the shower?

LAUGHTER. So now you know that Ian Goodison

takes too long in their shower. Let me assure you, we won't be saying

the same thing about crew next week. It is a classic.

On to tonight's action and Oldham had a defeat against Chesterfield

in the place -- for a place at in the place -- for a place at

Wembley. Here are the details. It was a heartbreaking night fog

Oldham Athletic. They threw everything at this stubborn

Chesterfield side. Heroic goalkeeping and a little bit of

good fortune kept them up. As Oldham chase the game, Jack Lester

benefited from a mistake to smuggle home a winner. Despite great

support from the home crowd, Chesterfield hung on to hold their

place in the Wembley final. Oldham lost 1-nail on the night. It was a

lot closer than the scoreline suggests. Chesterfields penalty

ultimately decided this tie. No You can get all the reaction on BBC

Radio Manchester tomorrow morning. Burnley and Blackpool will try and

improve their play-off chances midweek. Blackpool will be

favourites at home to Coventry tomorrow. Bury get a chance to

bounce back from the bail defeat, but it gets no harder than an away

trip to Charlton. BBC Radio Lancashire and Manchester will give

you details. Stay tuned for the details.

Only going for the play-offs, as are Blackpool. He do you fancy?

fancy Blackpool. I think they have a real chance. I am doing there, --

commentary tomorrow night. I am looking forward to it. They have a

great opportunity to get closer to the play-offs.

A lot of tough teams at the top of the championship? Yes, but

Blackpool running the easiest. I think both of them could make a

chance. They have Eddie Howe in charge,

what do you make of what he has achieved?

I think he has done well and I am delighted for him because he is a

good fellow. He made a big decision coming from North book. He has made

a lot of changes and it is a really starting to show. I am really

pleased for him and the club because they are looking a strong

proposition. Coventry going to Blackpool, they

are struggling at the moment? Sometimes going into teams at the

bottom, you have everything to lose and nothing to win. They will be

focusing on the three points. The match was on the sofa a couple

of weeks ago saying they have played a lot of the top teams. You

would think on paper it works to advantage? Possibly the ones you

want to play ed the end of the season of the ones that have

nothing to play for. Not pushing the play-offs and not in any bother

of going down. They are the ones that will probably clock off first.