Dale improve on halfway record
ROCHDALE are heading for a positive half-term report from Keith Hill – but the boss admits he’s looking forward to the second half of the season with pessimism and optimism in equal measure.
Dale produced arguably their finest display of the season so far in Saturday’s 3-2 victory against League One leaders Scunthorpe at the Crown Oil Arena.
Goals from Joe Thompson, Oliver Rathbone and Calvin Andrew saw Dale deservedly in command
‘Am I excited? I’m excited but I’m also pessimistic in the same snowball’
and in truth, Scunthorpe “We haven’t got the look too closely at the It was one of the best barely deserved their late cash fortunes which propel result with respect to the games I’ve witnessed having consolation strikes. you into the same two goals the opposition said to the players this
Saturday’s win kept position as Scunthorpe or scored,” said Hill. is what we’ve got to do. It Hill’s side fifth in the the Charltons on this “The performance was was amazing. league with Dale two world. I am very optimistic amazing and I’m really “We deserved that victory, games shy of the halfway for this group of players pleased by that. because of the mark and have already and it’s great that we’re “It does get nervy and energy, the commitment exceeded their previous making good business you do get a sense of and the quality that we points haul by that stage. while we can.” injustice when the scoreline played with.
And while that pleases Hill instructed his players became 3-2 and it “But for me, the most Hill no end, he’s also not to take too much does happen like that, important thing was that mindful of the tough ask mark and we’re looking notice of the final score we’ve seen in so many those players trusted the in competing against forward to those games,” after Saturday’s win, times. way that I said I could win cash-rich clubs like said Hill. “We’re in good insisting the game was not “But I can’t take anything that game. Scunthorpe at the top end shape to retain our League as close as the result suggested. away from those “From my perspective, I of the division. One status which is the players with respect to am a lot cooler and calmer
“It looks good – we’ve first port call. Dale were far and away that performance. with respect to selecting got 33 points, which is the “Am I excited? I’m the better team on the “For them to say ‘I trust players as long as they are most points total we’ve excited but I’m also pessimistic day, with Iron boss Graham you gaffer, this is what going to do it my way. I get had from 23 games and in the same snowball Alexander admitting we’ve got to do against really frustrated even if we we’ve two more games left as we evolve, because as much. them’ was brilliant to see win and players haven’t before we hit the 23-game you have to be. “I told the players not to in action. done it my way.”
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