Rochdale boss Hill to change his ways
ROCHDALE manager Keith Hill admitted he may have been placing too much pressure on his players following a hard fought win over Chesterfield.
Ian Henderson proved the second-half match winner, condemning the visitors to their fourth straight loss.
And with his side back to winning ways, Hill believes the expectation may have got to his young side.
“Chesterfield have been going through a difficult run of results, as we have, so it was always going to be a battle” said Hill.
“The game was not for the connoisseur but at this time of the season it is all about results. It's about trying to re-establish confidence and self-belief.
“I think we've been trying to put too much pressure on the players to try and achieve the dream, which is getting to the play-offs.
“But really when I look at it and analyse what's going on in this league financially, we'd need a benefactor to be putting in £2m a year at least towards the playing budget for us to maintain any sort of challenge throughout the course of any season in League One.”
The home side created the first chance on 14 minutes when Tom Kennedy crossed for Peter Vincenti who headed over the bar.
The visitors Ollie Banks fired at Josh Lillis on 55 minutes before Dale forward Joe Bunney burst
through and saw his effort saved by Tommy Lee five minutes later.
The breakthrough arrived on 65 minutes when Henderson met Michael Rose’s vicious free kick and flicked the ball past Lee from close range.
The visitors almost snatched a point at the death as substitute Caolan Lavery saw his fierce drive tipped over the bar by Lillis to leave Chesterfield manager Paul Cook lamenting his side’s lack of cutting edge.
“First half we looked the better side and I thought we could go on to win. But we’re just not penetrating in that box at the minute” said Cook.
“Whatever we offer at the minute doesn’t seem to be enough. The margins in football are so small. There’s nothing in that game.
“The players have done ever so well for me and this football club and now is the time to show character.
“What we mustn’t do now is chop and change. As a manager I must learn from my mistakes in the past and chopping and changing won’t get us anywhere.
“The players, staff and supporters all need to step up the plate.
“The lads are dejected and it does hurt them. It’s important our mood stays good. Now is the time we need the supporters.”