Gaffer hails attitude in late victory
BRIAN Barry-Murphy praised his players’ application and conviction in securing victory against Shrewsbury.
The visitors had created the better openings up until Dale scored in the 88th minute. But stout defending and belief saw BBM’s side emerge with a much-needed victory.
The result raised Dale ten points above third-bottom Tranmere Rovers – next visitors to the Crown Oil Arena on February 15th.
“We knew this was going to be a difficult game from start to finish given the conditions and the opposition, who are very difficult to play against, so to see the lads show so much dedication to playing the way we wanted, to stay true to that and get the chance at the very end was huge for everyone,” said BBM.
“To see Tyler Smith score his first goal for the club was huge for everyone in the dressing room. It’s great reward for the lads because we have had some tough blows over the last few weeks. There is a presumption that kind of thing will change and you’ll get some of those things go your way, but I don’t think it works like that. It’s down to the application of the players and their courage to keep going for the win when it would have been easier to settle for the draw.
“Shrewsbury have had a tough schedule, like ourselves, so take nothing away from them and their part in the game. But our goal came from a phase of play where we defended very, very well and managed to break. As we scored our goal I looked up and we had all of our ace marksmen in the box, Matty Done and Ian Henderson in the box, as usual, but there was Tyler in the middle of the goal and it wasn’t luck that he got that chance, it was a very good piece of intuitive striking play and his finish was far from easy.
“Tyler was injured when he came to us, so he is still very much catching up with game speed and we’re seeing him improve every day. He is a major asset to our dressing room because he can do what is very difficult and finish chances on a weekly basis. When it fell to him there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to score.
“I think he’s much more than just a fox-in-the-box type, he is a very good player and for all the talk about what would and wouldn’t happen in January, my main focus was retaining the players we already had in the squad and adding to that with one or two additions.
“We have a strong core group of players that we really believe in who have, despite our league position, provided us with some memorable moments this season and to work with that group going forward from a position of strength is huge for us all.
“We had hoped that, at the turn of the year, we’d have everyone available and that would be our biggest boost during January.
“While we have had a few setbacks in recent weeks, the players all feel that, barring Callum Camps, we are almost at full tilt now.
“That makes everything feel better and we look forward to the rest of the games.”