Rochdale not making up numbers next term - Watson

Rochdale boss Ian Watson says the way he will lead his side means they will not simply challenge for survival on their return to the English Football League.

Former boss Jimmy McNulty led Dale to promotion through the National League play-offs last term off the back of a memorable battle for automatic promotion with eventual champions York City.

McNulty departed the club last week for Stockport County, with Watson taking over after managing South Shields last term.

"There's going to be some huge games, and we really want to be successful this season," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"I haven't come here just to survive and be a number in the league. We've come here to really put this club back into the EFL and on the map and be a really strong team within this league."

The 40-year-old joined after leading South Shields to second in the National League North last season; however, they missed out on promotion in the play-off final to Kidderminster Harriers in May.

That was South Shields' highest finish in their history, despite missing out on National League football next term.

Watson said the football he wants his Rochdale side to play "may be a different way from what a lot of League Two clubs do".

He continued: "I'm not saying there's a right or wrong way; it's just going to look slightly different to what a lot of League Two clubs do.

"We're going to be really proud of that, we're going to love the style and the philosophy a lot.

"We're all going to buy into it, and we're looking forward to really attacking the league, and we're really excited by the games that we have coming up."