Hill: We must adapt to our terrible pitch!

KEITH Hill insists the Rochdale players have got to deal with playing on a terrible surface at the Crown Oil Arena – though he admits he has no idea how his squad can get used to the pitch!

The condition of the playing surface has rapidly declined in recent weeks and has struggled to cope with the wet winter weather.

The conditions have taken their toll and the last couple of home games have seen Dale struggle on their home patch.

But Hill said that was no excuse for the late goal Dale conceded against Lincoln City in the midweek game

“I don’t know how you get used to playing on that pitch - it’s a question only NASA could work out!” said Hill.

“The pitch is difficult to play on but we have to play on it because the demands are there to play on that pitch.

“It’s not helping us, it’s hindering us and it’s hindering the opponents as well.

“But we shouldn’t be conceding in that manner at that late stage in the game, absolutely no chance.

“I was reasonably happy with the first half but nothing went on in their box in the second half.

It was trench warfare – and it was a trench.

“It’s difficult but we have to find a way and the players have to find a way.

It was meandering to a 0-0 and I’m almost preparing for penalties, because I didn’t see them scoring either, so I was pretty comfortable going to penalties.

“But we got done with the sucker punch just when we need to have a bit more concentration.

“I’m disappointed that we’re out. This competition is a good opportunity to be successful but we’re out.”