Big boys left to fight out top six
KEITH Hill believes his Rochdale team can no longer be counted among the League One play-off contenders.
A terrible run of injuries has robbed Hill of key players for long periods since the turn of the year, putting greater strain on those available.
Form has been affected and with just two wins from their last 14 matches, they stand six points behind sixth-placed Southend having played as many games as the Shrimpers.
Speaking after the midweek loss at AFC Wimbledon, Hill played down Dale’s chances of competing for a top-six finish – but insisted there was still plenty to play for, starting with today’s home game against Northampton.
“We’re not in contention for the play-offs, and I don’t mean that disrespectfully and I don’t mean that with respect to me giving up,” he said.
“I am a fighter all the way to the end and I expect my team to turn up and perform and win football matches and I will expect them to do that over the next seven games.
“But realistically, it’s up to the big boys to fight it out. The games that we have got are difficult ones for Rochdale, whether it’s League One, League Two or potentially to get into the play-offs. I don’t think we are set for that at this time with players injured, fatigue injuries, the run of games we’ve got and the fact current form has not been great.
“So as much as I am looking forward to the next seven games, maybe I will do a little bit of experimenting.”
Hill reckoned Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat against the Dons was a game too far for some of his players – but resting tiring legs has been tough with the run of injuries the manager has had to contend with.
“The distances that the players are covering and the way that we play make it very difficult for the players and for one or two this was a game too far,” he said. “In another situation, early January, I would probably have rested three of them and put three players in who were right up to speed, ready to come in. Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to do that.
“We’ll see where we go. There is a lot of football to be played, 24 points, and we are trying to look up not down.”