Rochdale fell to their second defeat of the week after going down 3-0 at Morecambe’s Globe Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Chris McCready gave the home side the lead after nine minutes, and two goals in the space of three minutes in the second half, including a stunning 35-yard volley from Kevin Ellison, gave the Shrimps the three points.
Manager Keith Hill gave his thoughts to Dale Player after the game:
“The harsh realities kicked in today on the task in hand. It’s like a new relationship, when you get down to the nitty gritty you reveal the true character and we were beaten today by a hard-working, a well organised, effective Morecambe team.
“On paper you would look at the two line-ups and think pound for pound we might have more talented players, but for me there lies the issue because of the over evaluated opinion that players are better performers than they are. It is a team game and I’m glad that the players have started showing me their character, or lack of character that you need to win football matches.
“The harsh realities are that over the last season and half the club has lost 43 games and we’ve got to change that DNA – we’ve got to almost give it a football transfusion and we’ve got 11 games to do it. I didn’t quite realise the enormity of the task and the challenges that are there for the players as well as myself. The challenge is my challenge now - I inherited it and took it over because I wanted to and I still want to take that challenge, not just for the remainder of this season, but for next season too. I do feel as though the club can progress but the performance today sums up the last 20 months that the fans of the football club have endured. We should not be losing that type of football match.”
Rochdale welcome an inform and rejuvenated Wycombe Wanderers side to Spotland this Saturday and Hill is looking for an improved performance: “The players have got to hold down responsibility and they’ve got to lift me. I can plan and organise but the players are responsible for performances and the endeavour that they’re willing to give on behalf of getting the results that we need. I’m sure that they’ll turn up, spruce themselves off, because I will, and improve on this performance.”