ROCHDALE manager Steve Parkin's appetite for the season ahead was whetted further when his side beat a determined Gloucester City side 4-1 on Tuesday night.

But while he was satisfied with the win, Rochdale's fourth in a row in pre-season friendlies, he isn't getting carried away.

"I'm happy. There's no getting away from the fact that winning games is a good thing," he said.

"But there's no guarantee that we'll go to Scunthorpe for our first league game and win, just because we have won in pre-season."

"We were disappointed to lose at Accrington, but since then we have done well."

"The other night at Gloucester it was a difficult pitch to play on after a hard morning doing fitness tests at the university."

"The players really applied themselves against a strong, physical team, in a physical game, and they did smashing. It was a good result."

Grant Holt (2), Ashley Probets and Chris Armstrong were on target and the Rochdale boss was pleased his strikers have all been on the mark in the games played.

He added: "It's been nice that the strikers have shared the goals around."

"We've got plenty to pick from and hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the season, especially for the initial run of six or seven games in four weeks."

With the season set to get under way next Saturday, Parkin this week added two players, Alan Goodall and Leighton McGivern, to his squad, but he would like to add one or two more.

"I think if everyone is fit, touch wood, we have enough players to start the season. But it would be nice to add one or two more to the squad."

"Alan Goodall has done well in the games. He's a good trainer, strong and a good defender."

"He uses the ball well . He has done great and won't let us down. He could be a really good signing."

"I came across Leighton McGivern through an agent. He's come in and worked very hard. The lad struggled for the first couple of days in training, but he's got better and better."

"He's a good finisher, has a cracking left foot, and we'll wait and see. He certainly knows where the net is."

Rochdale are due to play Oldham on Friday night and Parkin's main interest is to remain injury free.

"I want to start the build up to Scunthorpe on Monday with a full squad, everybody fit and everybody pushing for a place."

In a break from tradition, Friday night's match is to be decided on penalties if the game ends in a draw.

Previously, the trophy holders had retained the Rose Bowl in event of a draw.

• ROCHDALE Supporters Trust AGM is on Tuesday in Studds Bar - start 7.30pm.

• DON'T miss our pre-season special on pages 45-52 of Saturday's Rochdale Observer.

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