Survival back in Dale’s hands
ROCHDALE’S survival quest is back in their own hands – and Keith Hill is urging players and supporters alike to embrace the final two games of the season.
A 1-1 draw against playoff chasing Plymouth at the Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday saw Dale move level with Oldham – who lost 3-0 at home to Southend – and Walsall, who have a game in hand, on 48 points.
But superior goal difference meant Hill’s men climbed out of the bottom four for the first time since mid-December.
Dale head to Oxford today knowing that, if they can match Oldham’s results in the last two fixtures the will escape the drop.
“We have two games left and it is in our hands so embrace it, take it on,” said Hill. “Let’s try our best to get six points from the next two games.
“It could be that we don’t need any more points – but I’d prefer to get the six points if at all possible! Rather than falling over the line it would be nice to embrace it and go for it. But who knows? It’s a rollercoaster this season.”
Hill said they could approach the games free from fear of dropping into the fourth tier – with the manager revealing what he genuinely dreads.
“It’s so hard getting promotion into League One and we want to stay in League One because my concern is when I look at the likes of Tranmere and Chesterfield, York City and Stockport County – that is the real concern. I don’t fear going into League Two, my fear is going out of existence, going into non-league.
“We are in League One performing against the grain of this club. The real worry is obscurity, nonleague football. That is obscurity.”
Hill said he would not rely on the potential damage to Oldham’s psychology in dropping into the relegation zone – rather he wants to focus on the games against Oxford and Charlton.
“I don’t know whether it does anything psychologically to Oldham or Walsall, I’m not their manager and I’m not in their camp,” he said.
“I do know what games they have left to play and I know what games we have left and we have to focus totally and purely on our games.
“You have a spirit and a keeness from Northampton now, so I think it’s between three or four sides and it can go either way.
“You’ve got to try to keep your nerve and what will be, will be. The players are trying to do all that they possibly can.
“We have made up all of those points to get where we are.”
‘You’ve got to try to keep your nerve and what will be will be’