Rochdale welcome Accrington Stanley to Spotland on Tuesday evening and Manager Keith Hill is expecting a keenly contested fixture.
Dale head into the encounter following Saturday’s draw at Barnet, while Accy also secured a point with a 2-2 scoreline at home to promotion hopefuls Cheltenham Town.
Hill has been reflecting on the weekend’s match at the Underhill Stadium and looks ahead to Tuesday’s local derby.
“On Saturday were lacking creativity in the final third, there is no question about that,” said Hill. “I think if we had been better with the ball then we would have won the game. It’s always difficult when you go to the Underhill Stadium because they’re solid at home and they’ve got good players. I suppose to a certain degree we got away with it a little bit because I think if the opposition had been better we might have lost the game, but you’ve got to give credit to our players because they’re looking resolute and they’re not looking like they’re going under. They know that improvement is needed but I think that’s a sign of an improving side when there is a collective spirit, endeavour and enthusiasm to not be beaten.
"Yes, I do want the players to be a little more creative, a little more spontaneous and have a little bit of freedom within their own work and it will come because we’ve got good players to be able to produce the kind of match winning performance where it could be three or four goals, but we haven’t witness that yet. I also want a little of relaxation from the players in possession because without the ball we’re looking very good. Against Accrington I’m looking for more improvements and that’s what you’re always looking for as a Manager whether you’re winning, losing or drawing games.
"According to their Manager, their performance against Cheltenham on Saturday was probably their best of the season so far without them getting the victory and I’m lead to believe they deserved the victory so they’ll be in good spirits themselves. It should be a keenly contested fixture and we’re looking forward to it.”
Bobby Grant will miss the visit of his former club to Spotland as he serves the fourth of his four match ban, while Dele Adebola will be missing from the match day squad following his loan move to Wrexham on Monday afternoon.
Hill commented: “I’d like to wish Dele all the best for his time at Wrexham. He has been an excellent professional in his career, I thought he was excellent during my time here and before I came here as well. He wasn’t going to play an awful lot of football for me but he was a good influence on the squad and very good substitute to bring on. He wanted to play football and I had phone calls from other conference teams but he chose Wrexham and it’s a great choice for him. I’ll try to recruit to replace him and I’m hopeful of being able to do that.”