Rochdale striker Joe Bunney has warned his team mates not to take Accrington Stanley lightly when the League Two strugglers visit Spotland on Saturday.
Dale were left reeling after a 2-1 mid-week defeat at bottom club Torquay United and are looking for a pick me up against 21st place Accrington.
However, Bunney believes the visitors, who stunned league leaders Chesterfield 3-1 last weekend despite playing nearly an hour with ten men, will be no walk-over.
“It’s the business end of the season now and they (Accrington) are fighting for points,” Bunney told MM.
“Teams that are fighting for points you can say are dangerous because they do come at you, they do want to win, so every game is going to be tough game from now on.
“Accrington will come and they’ll be competitive but I am sure we will be competitive too and we’ll be fighting to stay at the top of the league.”
Keith Hill’s side will again be without top scorer Scott Hogan as well as Oliver Lancashire, who was sent off in the defeat at Torquay, but Ian Henderson will return from his suspension.
Hogan is expected to return from his knee injury before the end of the season and has, in the meantime, been nominated for the League Two player of the year award.
The winner will be announced on Sunday at the Football League’s annual awards bash.
The 21-year-old is up against Scunthorpe’s Sam Winnall and Chesterfield’s Gary Robert’s for the League Two gong and Bunney is backing his team-mate to scoop the prize.
“He (Hogan) has been superb and I think anyone who plays at the football club will tell you that he deserves that award,” said Bunney.
“He’s a credit to play with. It’s a credit to be involved in a promotion fight with him. He’s a big push for all the lads.
“Anyone who’s watched him this year will tell you he deserves the award more than the others.”
Bunney, 20, has been a bit-part player for Dale this season netting once in 14 appearances, but as a young player learning his trade, the former Northwich Victoria forward says he is pleased with his involvement in the squad.
“I’m happy to come in when I’m needed or when someone is injured,” he added.
“Anyone can come in at any given time: it’s that good a squad. We are all buying into it together to get promoted so I’m happy with my progress at the moment.”
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