Shape-shifting enough to turn contest

A CHANGE of shape worked wonders for Rochdale against Millwall on Tuesday.

Keith Hill switched things around at 2-0 down and under the cosh, Dale responding by scoring twice themselves before the interval.

“I thought we started the game well and their first two goals are mistakes,” he said “The first one is a mistake by the referee and the other one is a mistake by Jim McNulty.

“When we went 2-0 down, at one point I thought it could have gone, three, four or five before half time.

“I had to change the shape because we weren’t getting any continuity or a foothold in the game but as soon as we did, we got the two goals.

“After half time we took control. They changed their shape and then they took control again. At 3-2, we didn’t quite hang on, but they are a difficult team to play against.

“From my perspective, we came up with a different plan at half time and it worked. We got the third goal and we should have had the fourth and fifth but once they stabilised and they changed their shape, I think they could have gone on and got the fourth and the fifth goal after scoring the third.”

Hill praised the spirit of his players in hitting back from two down to secure a point.

“The players have run themselves into the ground,” he said.

“I’ve got to thank them for putting everything into it because we could have gone under at 2-0 down.

“From somewhere, the players found the spirit.

“They didn’t find their footballing brain and they didn’t think with the clarity that I expected.

“But they came up with something to get something from the game and that’s where I’m highly delighted.”