Manager Keith Hill has been looking ahead to this weekend’s FA Cup with Budweiser first round tie against Torquay United in his latest Dale Player interview.
Dale make the long trip to Plainmoor for the fixture and Hill says he’s looking forward to it.
“I think the FA Cup has become less attractive to the bigger Premier League clubs in their pursuit of European glory, but for clubs like Rochdale, it’s a dream. It’s a dream that we can go on a magnificent cup run and excite our own fans and players. You’re looking at a situation where you maybe get a tie against the bigger, even top four, of the Premier League sides, so it’s exciting.
“There was no negativity from my point of view when the draw was made with respect to playing Torquay away. It’s just another football match and wherever the football match is I look forward to it. It’s a pleasure having to pit our wits again against Alan Knill and his team and I’m really looking forward to the game in its entirety.”
He continued: “It’s a break from the league and it’s an exciting break when you consider that we play Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night.
“It gives me an opportunity to have a look at one or two of the players who haven’t been playing regularly, in the same way that we did when we played Port Vale. I do believe that as well as a stimulus of winning football matches, there’s also a great stimulus to change the team. This will hopefully bring a good performance and a good result because I feel as though as Manager you’ve got to do that on a regular basis.
“I don’t believe that you should be playing the same team week in and week out when players who’re playing really well in the bounce matches aren’t getting an opportunity.”
He added: “It’s no reflection on the players who have played. It’s more of a reflection on the players who haven’t played who have done exceptionally well.”
On loan striker Graham Cummins is ineligible for the tie, however defender Jack O’Connell has been given permission by Blackburn Rovers to play.
You can listen to the full interview on Dale Player.