Big win rewarded Dale’s hard work
ROCHDALE head coach Jim Mcnulty hailed Saturday’s win at Eastleigh as the a culmination of a good week’s work.
Dale were dominant in a 4-1 win at the Silverlake Stadium, thanks to goals from Jimmy Keohane, Devante Rodney and a brace from Kairo Mitchell.
Mcnulty said the players continue to buy into the work on the training ground and it fully came together on Saturday.
“It was an excellent result, and, more importantly for me, an excellent performance,” said Mcnulty.
“We’ve been trying to chase that. Good performances which I believe will give us the outcomes and let everything else take care of itself.
“It was a very good day for the squad and I also mean the staff, the extended version of the squad, we’re all in it together.
“It was a culmination of a good week’s work, a lot of training ground diligence and then truthfully just pure confidence, execution, and personality from the players. They brought the week to life with a very good performance on the day.
“We showed a top level of courage in a game that I thought we could establish not just control, but dominance. I thought we were able to switch the balance from control to dominance.
“The players, they’re on the training ground all week buying into what we believe will be successful for them and to show what each of those players are really good at, which I’ve got total belief and faith in
“Days like today, it looks like it came together.
“They were top goals, and we are capable of those moments as a team. I’ve got the utmost belief and confidence in them.
“They seemed to exude the belief even when Eastleigh responded to our first goal. I felt like we were still playing some real good football and we had a real appetite without the ball as well. We looked like there was a real hunger to put a complete performance in.
“Seven points out of a possible nine, where we’ve shown real guts, courage and resilience.
We’ve been down in a couple of those games and responded and come out of the week with a healthy return. Performances vary from game to game and every game has a different storyline, this one was very good.
“I think it was a good sign to win in midweek when we were not at our best and I don’t think we’ve done much of that this season.
“But when we’re very good like we were today we’ve picked up some brilliant wins. This was one to add to our catelogue of good days.
I’m proud of the team.” Sam Mather, who has started Dale’s previous two matches, was missing from the matchday squad at Eastleigh.
Mcnulty explained it was due to a minor injury.
“Sam Mather picked up a dead leg which he was suffering with.
“There was a possibility for him to start the game, but we have to have the greatest respect to Manchester United.
“He is their player, their young asset, and we felt it was right to leave him at home for this one.
“He’s been at United
getting some treatment and hopefully will be back with us this week.”
There were returns to the starting line-up for Cameron John and Finlay
Armstrong with Mcnulty having had the luxury of resting the pair in the midweek win over Woking. With Cam and Fin it was a freshness thing, which is normal and healthy.
“I wished we’d had it all year but we’ve been in the doldrums with those sorts of things this season and I’ve had to flog the players at times when they’ve been out on their feet.
“I thought Fin when he came on and Cam from the start contributed well for the team.”