Ian feels ton-derful but Gary’s boys flop
CHESTERFIELD boss Gary Caldwell refused to go down without a fight despite time running out on the Spireites.
Caldwell’s men are ten points adrift with just six games to play, but when asked if he still has hope, the manager said: “There has to be.
“I won’t give up hope and the players won’t give up hope. We’ll keep working.
“But like I’ve said, this is a long process we’re going through and if there is a bit of pain, it’ll only help us in the future.
“We all have to get it in our game that we play on the edge. That’s how you have to play.
“We have to become a more aggressive team. We have nice lads, good lads who come in and work, but when you cross that line you have to become a different animal and play to win.”
Dale skipper Ian Henderson scored his 100th career goal with a lovely chip over Thorsten Stuckmann to put his side ahead.
Callum Camps’ 40th-minute goal matched that for quality, burying a clearance from 25 yards on the half-volley.
Midfield colleague Jamie Allen hit a third just two minutes later, scoring from the corner of the Chesterfield box off the excellent Nathaniel MendezLaing’s pass.
Chesterfield were much improved after being booed off at half-time and quickly pulled it back to 3-1, with Kristian Dennis scoring from 25 yards.
But there was to be no heroic comeback, with Tom Anderson’s header against the bar as close as they came again.
Substitute David Faupala was then sent off in injury time for kicking out at Joseph Rafferty.
The result means Rochdale maintain faint play-off hopes. They are now six points off with a game in hand over the top six after only their third league win of 2017.
Rochdale manager Keith Hill said: “We’ve got seven points from the last three games, that’s the way we’ll look at it. “We are playing out the season, we’re not on the beach, but we’re playing probably free of any pressure.
“There’s no pressure on us because we’re not in a relegation battle. We’re always in a relegation battle, Rochdale Football Club, up to a certain number of points.
“Once we get those points we’re not and we’re not now. We’re playing quite freely with great attacking intent and I’m happy going into the final eight games with the squad of players we’ve got.”