Manager Keith Hill has been chatting to Dale Player ahead of Wednesday night’s match against Southend United at Spotland.
Hill is full of praise for his players following Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fleetwood Town, but is warning against complacency.
"We looked like the promotion contenders [on Saturday],” said Hill. “It was a collective performance and it’s great when you’re going home reflecting on performances and there’s not one player that you could say dropped below the 8.5 mark with respect to their own standings, so I am really pleased with the performance and the progress we’re making.
“It was special after the game because too often this season the players have gone and applauded the supporters for turning up, but I think after Saturday’s game there was a mutual appreciation from the supporters for the performance because the players have given the fans something to be cheery about. It’s a great feeling when you’re a player and you’re going over to your own supporters and there’s a mutual respect for what has been achieved.
“I think there’s still room for improvement because there was a time when we had momentum and we gave the penalty away and if they had scored that penalty we were looking at a different momentum to the game. That is where we’ve got to be more ruthless. We shouldn’t be giving the opposition any chances whatsoever when we’re playing so well.”
He added: “I want to fuel a feel good factor amongst everybody and we can’t be complacent. All of a sudden you can make big strides then there can be a massive drop and we don’t want that; we want consistency. I’m optimistic about Wednesday because the players are mentally good. They see the next four games as a real challenge to get as many points as we possibly can and we’re looking up. We’re looking at the teams above us and seeing if we can catch them.
“I’m reasonably happy but that’s a long way from being satisfied and I just want the players to continue to show a great application. The work-rate, the energy and the sacrificial behaviour of supporting your own team mates are important to me. Those are the important values that I’m trying to impress upon a team and the structure of the football club, and if they carry those values out I’ll support them through thick and thin, through good and bad decisions and through good and bad results.”
You can listen to full interview on DALE PLAYER now.