Manager Keith Hill has been reflecting on Saturday’s victory over Morecambe in his latest Dale Player interview.
Dale emerged victorious after coming from a goal behind to record a 2-1 win over the Shrimps, and Hill is pleased going into Tuesday night’s game against Burton Albion.
“We’re going to experience similar sort of tactics,” said Hill as he reflected on the hard fought out encounter against Morecambe.
“I see Jim (Bentley, Morecambe Manager) and I understand it because I would use a little bit of reverse psychology as well. He’s backing us to get promoted, he’s trying to put all the pressure on us, and they come with a pretty much slow the game down tactics to allow all of their players to get into position, and I thought they played it effectively and efficiently as they possibly could.
“We as players, and us as a Football Club have to accept the pressure of the expectation to win and the pressure that the opposition are going to put us under by allowing us to have a little bit of negative possession. I think we’re going to be experiencing similar sort of tactics. For me, possession isn’t negative, it can be sterile at times, but it can never be a negative because while we’re in possession we’re keeping the opposition moving and we have to concentrate ourselves.
“We fell unfortunately behind and we could have and should have dealt with the goal better, but I didn’t sense any negativity from the supporters in our pursuit of winning the game whereas previously against Dagenham there was little bit of expectation, probably a little bit of over confidence and a little bit of complacency. We, the supporters and me as Manager, have to support the players and if we do that, then we’ll get the results.
“We’ve won 11 games at home and won 16 games in total this season, which accounts for the games that we won during the whole of last season and we’ve still 16 games left to play. We’re in a good place and there’s no great expectation from my point of view for tomorrow. There will be no over confidence though, and we will be preparing ourselves to meet a very good side.”
The full interview is on Dale Player.