Rochdale assistant manager Dave Flitcroft looked back on Tuesday's win with a smile but it wasn't about the victory alone, for 'Flicker' it was about the way Dale went about it. With an atmosphere not really felt since Hill's side thrashed Bury at the start of the season, Flitcroft admitted it was one of those special nights.
"I think in the three years we have been here the performance against Rotherham will go down as a special one.On the way home from the game Hilly and I agreed you get those special nights when every single player puts in a star performance.No showboating just hard work and honesty, a lot of class and great cohesion. I believe that is exactly what we got on Tuesday and from my personal point of view I'd say it was one of the best performances since we've been in charge."
One of those star performers perhaps shone a little brighter in former Rotherham player Chris O'Grady and Flitcroft was delighted with the way the Dale striker responded.
"Chris has been consistent since day one and he along with many as I said had a fantastic game on Tuesday.He is playing with strong self-belief and confidence in his ability and he is mentally and emotionally tuned in.He is playing some outstanding football and we are delighted to have him in our squad.Chris is very happy here at Spotland, he is scoring goals and playing the best football of his career. His work rate is excellent and that's why he gets the chances he does.
"In the shooting before the game he was getting some stick from the Rotherham supporters with snide comments and booing and it affected him although not in the way the visiting support hoped it would, it affected him in a very positive way.
"This is what we mean when we say reaction from supporters does have an effect on players when there is any negativity from the stands. We know people will say they pay their money and have a right to give their opinion and they do, but we don't want that opinion to undermine what we are trying to achieve.We want our players to play with the freedom to play football and express themselves without fear.It might mean we make a mistake in doing so, play a stray pass or hit one into the stand and the last thing we want to hear are moans and groans from the stands.Players have to have the confidence to try things and not just do the safe things in fear of a backlash.
"If anyone says to me that reaction from supporters doesn't have an effect on players then I'd say take a look at Chris O'Grady on Tuesday night.He took some stick from the Rotherham fans and was became more determined as a result.He responded in the best possible way, by playing football."
Perhaps with a forty year wait for success Dale fans have become accustom to the odd moan and groan and while Flitcroft agrees the good times have been a long time coming, he believes the 'Hillcroft' regime is not only changing the face of the club, the supporters are taking it on board.
"I know it has been a long time but I believe our supporters are becoming more educated in the way we want to do things.People should know the message from the top is go and express yourself and play football.Be creative, pass the ball and out of that we take risks that sometimes mean the opposition will pinch the ball.The other night Tom Kennedy played a cross-field pass that got cut out and there was a lot of moans.Tom passes about 60 to 70 balls during a game so he's allowed to make a mistake, he has to be allowed that.
"The long ball to the big man up front days are gone, this is a new brand of football at Spotland and it is something we are really proud of.It isn't easy to combine all the elements of good football and winning matches and we are delighted to say that is what we are doing.We have such a strong belief in the way football should be played and we will continue to do that and hopefully the fans will really buy into it too.
"The players make massive sacrifices in their lives and we are all working very hard.Everyone at the club, the people who are generally off the radar are also doing all they can to bring success to this club.The dynamics are the best they have ever been in the dressing room and every one shares the belief, the dream and the vision."
Experience in all walks of life leads to learning and last year's dip in form towards the end of the season has taught a few lessons to the Dale management according to Flicker.
"We will learn lessons from last season as we will learn lessons from every game win or lose.Last year we perhaps took our foot off a little but this time around we are aiming to run through the tape.We have looked at all our stats from the last two seasons in training and have upped our sessions by around 15%. We have looked at the players 'zones' and done something different with them and at the minute the boys are looking fit and hungry.
Looking ahead to the visit of Lincoln City on Saturday Flitcroft expects a tough encounter with Chris Sutton's men.
"Sides will come here and want to do well against us and we have to remain guarded of that fact.I know supporters will think we should go out on Saturday and win comfortably especially after the win on Tuesday night over Rotherham United.The reality is different.We know if we are going to take anything out of the match on Saturday we will have to take our 'A' game into it and the fans have to be fully behind us.
"We have to protect against complacency in the camp because we know we cannot just turn up and expect teams to roll over and let us tickle their belly.Every game is approached in the right manner and we go into with a winning mentality but we know there will be days when things don't go as we'd like for one reason or another.This is why there has to be a lot of realism around the club, we are in a great position at the moment there is no doubt that but we must keep our feet firmly on the ground.
