City target Shaw a big threat

8:03pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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City fans will get the chance to see what might have been when Jon Shaw lines up for Rochdale.

The striker was a summer target for the Bantams but they did not want to pay the £60,000 Spotland boss Keith Hill shelled out to Halifax Town.

The England non-league international, who used to be with Sheffield Wednesday, hit 20 goals in 38 starts for the crisis-hit Shaymen last season.

Shaw got off the mark last Saturday in the 3-1 home victory over Barnet.

Hill said: “Jon Shaw scores goals. He still has a lot of catching up to do as he hasn’t played League football for some time. But one thing I do know is if we put the ball in the right areas for Jon he will score.”

The victory saw Rochdale register for the first time this campaign after they had drawn blanks in 0-0 draws against Grimsby and Oldham in the cup (Oldham winning 4-1 on penalties).

Hill added: “I don’t know why anybody in League football questions our scoring capabilities because we create opportunities and we have goalscorers in our squad.”

Barnet boss Paul Fairclough wasn’t one to doubt Dale’s ability after their defeat, saying: “They were strong last season and on that evidence they are even stronger this season.

“My players have chased more in that game than in the previous two put together.”

The loss of midfield general David Perkins has been offset by the signing of Clark Keltie from Darlington, who has linked up well with captain and record Rochdale appearance-maker Gary Jones.

On Saturday’s match, Rochdale’s assistant-manager Dave Flitcroft said: “Bradford City are one of the big-hitters in our league, there is no secret about that.

“Their chairmen have assessed what manager Stuart McCall did last season and wanted to kick on by really backing him in the transfer market.

“He has been able to get some super players in there and, with what they had last season and what they have recruited, they will be a great test for us.

“They are one of the early-season favourites along with Shrewsbury and Chesterfield.”