Dale can mount play-off charge

ROCHDALE will relish the opportunity of going into this afternoon’s clash against Sheffield United as underdogs as Keith Hill’s men look to fire up their pursuit of a play-off place.

Dale have had to cope with losing several key players to injury over the last six weeks and are without a win in their last seven League One games – though three of those have been drawn and they remain within touching distance of the top six.

Having seen their midweek clash aganst Port Vale postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Dale take on a Blades outfit romping clear at the top of the division.

Boss Hill believes his side can mount a serious forward to. Sometimes his English Football superb. He’s ahead of his the next couple of years. run at the play-offs once you’ve got to look at where League debut, starting in years. “This is a big step in my things click into place and you are and where you’ve Rochdale’s 3-0 win over “Aaron is a great signing career and I’m going to they cut out the kind of come from and the work Southend United. He has for the football club.” continue working hard to errors made in last weekend’s that you’ve done, and be since gone on to make a Tony Ellis, Academy keep improving and defeat at Peterborough. proud of that and take it total of six first team manager, commented: developing.” into the future.” appearances for Hill’s side. “I’d like to congratulate Morley joins a long-list

“We’re not going There was good news “Aaron has been given Aaron. He fully deserves of Rochdale players who through a good sequence for Hill and the club this an opportunity and he has this opportunity, and it’s have made the progression of results but some of the week when it was taken it,” said Hill. “That’s great to see that all his from the club’s successful performances have been announced that talented what’s unique about this hard work and commitment Academy into the really encouraging,” he teenager Aaron Morley club – we give opportunities has paid off. first-team environment. said. “If we cut out the had signed his first professional to young players. “From an Academy perspective, Recently, the Rochdale mistakes then we can contract, just days “There was interest in it gives us an AFC Academy has been quickly become that team after turning 17. Aaron from other clubs enormous sense of pride named as one of the best again who was winning He has penned a deal after we played him as a to see yet another scholar in the country at producing seven on the bounce, the until the summer of 2019. 16-year-old, so it’s make the transition from players. The latest statistics, team who was unbeaten Morley, a first year brilliant that he has committed our youth team into first which take into in eight, or who won five scholar, has impressed his future. team environment.” account the last three seasons, over the Christmas period during his time at the “It has been a brilliant Morley added: “I love show that Dale are and into January. club’s Academy and season for him so far – he’s playing football and I love ranked second out of the

“We’ve been in a lot earned himself a first-team learning all the time. He it here at Rochdale. I’m 72 EFL clubs and third out worse situations than the debut earlier this season has been learning while really, really pleased to of the 92 when it comes to one we are in now. We’ve against Notts County in the playing for the first team have signed and to have producing players. They got a lot to be thankful for Checkatrade Trophy. and the youth team, and been given the opportunity are number one at Category and we’ve got a lot to look Four days later, he made his training has been to sign a contract for Three level.

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