Hill’s warning as Dale get set for Stoke trip

ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill has warned his side they must defend better – or risk an avalanche of goals when they face Premier League Stoke City tonight.

Dale travel to the Britannia Stadium for a Carabao Cup second-round clash with Hill expecting to face a strong Potters side.

“We couldn’t get a more difficult tie. Mark Hughes and Stoke are so professional and they’re an unbelievable side at home. Hughes has got a winning mentality and winning instincts,” said Hill.

“I listened to him on TV the other day talking to Gary Neville and he says he’s going to take the competition seriously, so we couldn’t have had a worst draw with respect to trying to cause an upset.

“But I’m excited about going to the Britannia Stadium because it’s a great opportunity for the players.

“It represents a hefty challenge. I don’t think it’s a 50/50 challenge, I think it’s more of a yellow card challenge, but from a plotting and testing yourself perspective, it’s exciting. And who knows? We’ll be going there relatively pressure free.”

Dale head to the Potteries on the back of a 3-2 loss at Shrewsbury on Saturday, and Hill is demanding a defensive improvement.

“It gives us an opportunity to try to put things right defensively against an outstanding Premier League side. But we have got to be better – if we’re not it could be an avalanche, a goal fest for Stoke,” he said.