IT HAS not taken long for Richie Smallwood to become a hit with the Rovers fans after joining in the summer from Rotherham.

He has been arguably Rovers’ most consistent performer in the opening month of the season, and he admits a terrace chant is helping to spur him on during games.

The combative central midfielder has become known as ‘The King of Ewood’ as part of lyrics to a chant about the 26-year-old to the tune of Earth Wind and Fire’s hit ‘September’.

An expected travelling following of around 3,000 at Rochdale this afternoon are likely to give it a good airing, just as they did at Bradford last month when 1,965 Rovers fans made the journey.

On his song, Smallwood said: “It’s really pleasing, I’ve never really had a song before, especially one that catchy.

“I’m pleased with it, but obviously they wouldn’t be singing it if I wasn’t really performing, that’s how I look at it

“It’s great to have a song, you can hear it loud and clear, especially at Bradford.

“You can hear it and it gives you an extra incentive to do what you do.

“I like to get about and get some tackles in and if I make a tackle and hear that song then it gives me more of an incentive to do it again.

“It is good and obviously the family and friends love it.

“They come to a game and it gets stuck in their head and they will sing along while they’re at the game.

“That’s good, but if I don’t perform they won’t sing it.

“As long as I do my talking on the pitch that’s fine.”

Smallwood will be a key component in the Rovers side looking to get the better of Rochdale at Spotland this afternoon.

He was on loan at Scunthorpe United last season when Keith Hill’s side ran in to a 3-0 lead before the Iron scored two late goals.

An unused substitute on that occasion, Smallwood will be looking to stem the flow of Dale attacks as Rovers look to make it three league wins in a row.

He added: “No game is easy, Rochdale and Scunthorpe away are tough games, they don’t come much harder in this division.

“Rochdale beat Scunthorpe last year and they were totally dominant so I know it won’t be easy and ready to put up a fight if I’m selected.

“We were really confident and on a really good roll, they just totally dominated us on the day and they were really strong so I’m expecting something similar.

“We just have to match them.

“We had a couple of days break but we have worked hard for most of the week and are ready now. We know how tough it is going to be.

“They are a good team, especially at home, and we have some tough games coming up, so need to start well there.”