Whaley will be totally focused for Dale match (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Whaley will be totally focused for Dale match

6:40am Saturday 28th November 2009

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Simon Whaley insists he won’t need to double take when his current loan club face up to his last one.

Whaley has immediately made his mark for City after a spectacular goal on his full debut at Grimsby.

Now he has set his sights on next week’s home clash with Rochdale – opponents he knows just as well.

Whaley was in the Dale line-up just a fortnight ago when they lost 3-2 to Chesterfield, ending a two-month stay at Spotland.

Any confusion on Tuesday night would be understandable but the winger is determined it will be business as usual.

He said: “It will be strange because I was there up to a few weeks ago. But this is football and you just get on with it.

“It would be easy to have a crack with the Rochdale lads and have a bit of a laugh. But as soon as that whistle goes, I’ve got to put all that to the back of my mind and just focus on the game.”

Whaley could still have been wearing a Rochdale shirt at Valley Parade if an extension to his deal had been sorted.

He said: “The eight weeks I was there were brilliant and I know they were keen to keep me. But there was a bit of a hiccup on the finances and it was disappointing the way it ended.

“But I’m looking forward to doing just as well here. It’s always good to start with a goal and I did the same at Rochdale.

“Hopefully I can carry it on. The lads have been welcoming and I’ve fitted in quickly.

“Last week’s win was a good confidence boost. I was impressed with the way we got the ball down and played.

“It should be a good game between two top teams. Rochdale have always been the nearly men and could go top of the table if they win and we know we can’t take our foot off the pedal.

“I just hope the pitch holds up because otherwise it could be a bit of a grind.”

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