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Andrew relishing Stoke clash

Image: Calvin Andrew: Wants that winning feeling

Calvin Andrew says Steven Gerrard giving him an ear-bashing will be close to his thoughts when Rochdale face Stoke.

After goals in his last two games and with Peter Vincenti an injury doubt, Andrew is hoping to be given the nod for Rochdale's FA Cup fourth-round clash against Stoke at Spotland.

The striker's favourite FA Cup memory is of scoring the winner for Luton against Nottingham Forest - coincidentally Dale's victims in the third round - seven years ago to earn a third-round tie with Liverpool.

But it is a previous meeting with the Reds that most sticks in Andrew's mind, and not for the right reasons.

He said: "I came on and had to mark Gerrard on corners. He sat on the edge of the box. It wasn't much fun at all. I remember getting screamed at.

"I was following the game, a long ball came into the box and someone headed it clear. I went to close down the ball and left Gerrard.

"The ball went square to him and he was on his own and he hit the top of the crossbar from about 35 yards. He completely lost me. Not a fond memory. When we played them the next time I had a lot better game."

Andrew's career began with Luton, his home-town team, and he arrived in Rochdale last summer via Grimsby, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Millwall, Swindon, Leyton Orient, Port Vale, Mansfield and York.

The 28-year-old has played for a lot of managers but is in no doubt that there is something special about Dale boss Keith Hill.

"A lot of managers have a certain way in which they conduct themselves but his drive is so plain to the rest of the lads, it inspires," the striker said.

"He's a big part of everything that goes on here and there's a respect that he has from everyone at the club.

"He's really good with the lads and his philosophy of the game filters through the club, from the players even to the cleaners. Everyone has his energy around the place.

"After meeting the staff and the manager and being here for a couple of days to try to get a feel for the place, there was just something about the atmosphere that suited me right down to the ground.

"I definitely knew the club could go somewhere and the season's not finished yet. We've got a low budget but it's not all about the money. It's about the mindset.

"Even in training you see how hungry the players are to do their best at all times."

Hill first joined Rochdale as a player and is on his second spell as manager having twice guided them to promotion from League Two.

Now they are eyeing a place in the Championship for the first time in the club's history.

Professionalism is a key mantra for Hill, who remembers turning up for work as a player and having to wait while a training venue was found.

Dale do not have their own training facilities, while the weather and illness to Hill have complicated matters this week, but still all has run smoothly.

Andrew said: "I've been at bigger clubs than here and have had that (nowhere to train), and it really is a bad feeling for a footballer, you're sort of in limbo.

"It's never happened here and I can't see it ever happening. Everything's very professional and it's a really great place to be."

Dale have only reached the fifth round of the FA Cup twice but go into Monday's clash in great form having won their last three games - and no doubt inspired by a weekend of shocks.

"Once you get used to winning and that feeling, you thrive off it," Andrew said.

"Every game we go out there, we want to win the game and we believe we can win the game. If you're one down or one up, we're confident we can grind out a result.

"That's what we've shown so far this season and hopefully we can continue to do that."

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