Practice makes perfect for Hill
KEITH Hill is calling for a ‘better product’ from his players as they head into this afternoon’s clash against Rotherham at the Crown Oil Arena.
Dale made it five successive clean sheets with the midweek 0-0 draw against Stoke City in the Checkatrade Trophy Group C clash.
And while Hill is hoping the improved defensive solidity of his side will instill belief in the squad, the boss is looking for an end product to Dale’s approach play.
And he insists the only way to do that is practice, practice, practice!
“It should breed confidence but we need a better product from the players,” he said following Tuesday’s goalless draw.
“They have got to be more professional. It annoys me that there is a lack of intense practice from the players and sometimes that shows with the mistakes that they make.
“I am trying to change one or two of the players in their application and their attitude towards their application in training days in order to get a better product on matchdays.
“I have seen it over the last four or five games from certain players – I don’t want to name names – but that has got to continue, it has to be part of their development that they are practising the right product on the training
‘I have one or two players who think that training is just a jolly up – it’s not’
pitch to improve and become better at performing when three points are at stake. I have one or two players who think that training is just a jolly up and it’s not.”
The midweek draw against Stoke City’s under 21s kept Dale top of Group C, despite losing the penalty shoot-out to decide who took the bonus point.
“Stoke don’t want to give you any space, they gave us the space in our is what’s a little bit missing. Hill was also impressed own half of the pitch,” he with striker Jordan Slew, said. “I thought MJ Williams who started the game.
“You can’t get frustrated and Kgosi Ntlhe at centrehalf “Jordan did well on the - you’ve got to be patient were tremendous. night and I’m pleased and you’ve got to work it “Daniel Adshead with the progress he is out, and you’ve got to worked things out after making and the hard work make sure you don’t fall looking a little nervous at he is putting in,” he said. for the sucker punch or first against Charlie Adam. “He hasn’t been the counter-attack. “He didn’t look out of getting minutes as Calvin
“We had good opportunities place up and I’m happy to Andrew and Steve Davies when we got in continue playing him in would be chosen in front behind them and we got this trophy. He’ll play in of him, but he has to in behind them a lot in the the next game against make sure he is pushing second half, where I Blackburn, which will be them all the way and do thought ‘yeah, we should the next phase of his his best to take their do a little bit better here’, development. I’m reasonably place and give them the but we didn’t and their happy with the performance nudge. goalkeeper was superb. and the point, “I was impressed with But that clinical finishing because it keeps up top.” him and his attitude.” Published by MEN Media, Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, OL9 8EF. Printed by Mirror Colour Printers (Oldham) Ltd, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EB