Mcnulty calling for quick bounce back
ROCHDALE head coach Jim Mcnulty will call for an improved performance today when his side entertain Oxford City.
By Mcnulty’s own admission, Dale fell short of their own standards in midweek when they travelled to Barnet and fell to a 2-0 loss.
Dale never really recovered after conceding just in the first minute and only stout defending prevented the Bees running away with the game.
“We weren’t good, we weren’t what I expect us to be,” said Mcnulty. We didn’t do what we expect to do in terms of our quality with and without the ball. We were poor all night and we were fortunate to go in at 1-0 down at half time, even though we had three amazing chances in the first half. We continued to have a few chances in the second half as well but I actually don’t think our performance warranted any chances.
“As much as I wish all of our chances had gone in – and on the night we could have scored four – Barnet could have scored double that because they had so much pressure in and around our box.
“Whenever we got the ball back and had our time, we weren’t good enough.
“We were hopeless with the ball and if we’d have given up, it could have been disastrous. But because we fought so much just to keep the ball out of the net, it was only 2-0.
“But Barnet deserved to win, without a doubt.”
Skipper Ethan Ebankslandell’s early error gifted Barnet their opening goal and Mcnulty was full of admiration for the way the defender dealt with the aftermath.
“The captain [Ethan Ebanks-landell], being the way he is, instantly put his hand up and wanted to apologise to the changing room before he even allowed me to say anything,” said Mcnulty.
“That’s the kind of man he is. Those are the types of characters we want in the team.
“People that ultimately have humility and are accountable for when they make mistakes.
“Ebanks, from that moment, gave everything to keep the ball out the back of his net. He must’ve headed a thousand balls from right under his crossbar.”
Mcnulty went on to praise the Dale supporters, as 129 of them made the journey to Barnet in midweek.
“I said to the players there, huge acknowledgement goes to our fans, the way they gave us a standing ovation after a 2-0 loss away on a Tuesday night. The fans need acknowledgement because they made that long journey down and to stay until the end and to give us the support they did.
“It’s a magnificent sign, and I feel there’s a vibe about our club now.
“A vibe we can thrive and bounce off. Our last home performance was a brilliant one. The fans appreciated it and connected with us.”
The Dale head coach then spoke about Finlay Armstrong, who has had his stay at the Dale extended until the end of the season, and Sam Mather, who made his Dale debut, coming off the bench in the secondhalf.
“Finlay (Armstrong) signing is great news for the squad. It gives us another good player. I think he played well,” began Mcnulty.
“Sam (Mather), we were looking forward to the prospect of having him as part of our squad at a time when we desperately need it.
“With D’mani Mellor and Tyrese Sinclair being out medium term and Devante Rodney upon medical advice, we were unable to use them.”
Mcnulty finished by looking ahead to the weekend: “Us, the fans, all as one in the Crown Oil Arena come Saturday, exciting day, exciting game, could be brilliant.
“It’s very important and a great opportunity.”