Confidence-shot players in desperate need

KEITH Hill said his half time show of support for the Rochdale players was born out of an empathy with his squad.

Some supporters booed their team off at the break against Burton, with Dale trailling 2-0. Hill said he had been in similar situations as a player and insisted the thing they need most right now is support.

“It’s difficult as a player when you are on that pitch and you are suffering for confidence. It’s the easiest thing in the world to be a loser, you can get up and accept your fate,” he said.

“I have a driving instinct to turn things that are bad into positives and what I don’t appreciate – but they have a right to do – is boo players who are trying, young players who are trying to do everything and having an unbelievable experience at this club. I wanted the players to be applauded, I wanted the players to be supported and it’s the hardest thing to do in the darkest hour.

“But they needed that support and that’s why I reacted. I wasn’t reacting to anyone who might have had an axe to grind with me, I’m okay with that, I have broad shoulders, bring it on, sticks and stones. I was brought us right school, not old school, right school, where I protect people.

“I have to protect those players and it’s important that the infrastructure of the club, the fanbase – and there were still some singing at the end on behalf of the team that they love the club – it’s important that they support this group of players. I’m brought up the right school. I’ll come out and I’ll try to be as brave as I can.

“I was part of a team beaten 8-2 here against Shrewsbury, I was a substitute, thank God!

“You have got to respond and sometimes the players don’t react in the right manner so I had