Firm foundations in Dale home run

WORK rate and honesty have been the cornerstones of Keith Hill’s success at Rochdale AFC – and they were back in abundance at the weekend.

Dale earned only their second home win of the League One campaign when they beat Charlton 1-0 thanks to Ian Henderson’s fourth-minute strike.

Despite the narrow scoreline, Hill and counterpart Lee Bowyer said the home side were deserving winners, with the Dale chief delighted to see his team on the front foot from the off.

“We were at it from the get go and that’s why we for example. But one against Leicester under made were outstanding. I Darren Pratley – and later got the performance,” said quality we should always 21s and the FA Cup clash think we could have been pulling off a stunning stop Hill. “We didn’t give the have over any opposition against Gateshead. slightly better in possession. to push Josh Cullen’s opposition time, and is our energy, our work “We’ve got another At every opportunity 25-yard strike onto the instead of me changing rate and our honesty. home game on Saturday we tried to attack. Our woodwork. tactics, Charlton were “I think we showed that and the more points you full-backs should have “The one that he pushed changing tactics. and it certainly gave us the get they become less difficult slowed the game down a onto the post was an

“Our personnel choices perfect platform for the and you are under little bit more, but I’m incredible save,” said Hill. were good, our tactics result. less pressure,” said Hill. pleased. “He was responsible for were good and that “It’s the reason why we “I thought the lads dealt “It’s 1-0, we’re at home, the penalty – that was allowed us to take the lead are a League One football with the pressure of only we’re getting points on the clumsy. But Brendan’s like and then I thought we club, because we are having won once at home board which we need if that, he tends to make a managed the second half honest and we work well. I think the last we’re going to have a mistake and then an well. harder than the opponent performance at home, chance of staying in unbelievable save. The

“If you’ve got all your with an underdog attitude.” against Doncaster, was League One so we’re giving penalty was not a penalty players putting everything very good and it didn’t ourselves a fair crack miss, it was an outstanding into the performance then The result meant Dale reflect the scoreline but I of the whip.” save – but it was his you will get results. We started the first of four thought we were worthy Brendan Moore was fault we were in that predicament have quality players and successive home games in winners. named the sponsors’ man in the first place! I’m not disrespecting my winning style, with Luton “We had opportunities of the match after saving “He came for a cross he players or the fotball club Town next up in the as well and I thought their Lyle Taylor’s penalty – had no chance of getting when I say we haven’t got league before the Checkatrade goalkeeper was outstanding. having conceded the spot and that’s the creature the same quality as Charlton, Trophy game Some of the saves he kick himself for a foul on that is Brendan Moore!”

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