Dale boss will try to add to squad in January window

KEITH Hill has revealed he is trying to ‘work a little bit of magic’ to add players to his Rochdale squad in the January transfer window.

Dale have dropped into the League One relegation zone following their 0-0 draw at home to Oxford United on Saturday.

A busy festive period awaits Hill’s team, but the Dale boss also has one eye on January as he looks to try and bolster his team despite the club’s financial restrictions.

“I don’t know whether we need an influx of new players, we haven’t got the capability of doing that. But I am trying to work a little bit of magic to freshen the squad up,” he said.

“We talk about good housekeeping at this club and good values and one of those is not overspending. I need to trust the players. There will be players who leave, that’s just natural as you want to get better and we will get better.”

Up next for Rochdale is a home game against Walsall on Saturday, and Hill sees similarities between his team and the Saddlers.

“I think Walsall are a similar sized club and a similar team to us. They narrowly missed out on getting promoted when Dean Smith was there”, he said. “They have been rebuilding since because that team was stripped away, but they are creating another good team and it takes time.

“We almost have a fully fit squad, although you just don’t know what happens in the course of a week.”

Walsall are 11th in the League One table, having won seven, drawn seven, and lost seven of their 21 matches so far this season.

They head into the match with Rochdale on the back of a defeat, having lost 2-1 against strugglers Northampton Town at the Sixfields Stadium last Saturday.

Despite the loss, Walsall defender Jon Guthrie says his team are fully focused on the upcoming match against Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena.

“We want to keep Published by MEN Media, Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, OL9 8EF. Printed by Mirror Colour Printers (Oldham) Ltd, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EB climbing the table and we’ve been on a good run lately so I don’t think we should get too down about Northampton.

“We’ve got to focus on getting back on a good run as soon as we can,” said Guthrie.

“We have a lot of games coming thick and fast and with a good run of results you can push right up the table. Anyone can beat anyone, and we’re now focused on Rochdale.”

‘There will be players who leave, and that’s just natural’