Manager Keith Hill has delivered an honest and frank assessment of Tuesday night’s performance…
Rochdale left it late to book their place in the second round of the FA Cup, with Captain Olly Lancashire netting deep in injury time to secure a 2-1 win for Dale.
Speaking to Dale Player after the game, Hill said: “I was happier on Saturday night after getting beaten at Port Vale than I am now. I was embarrassed by our performance – there are certain values and morals that we have to provide for the supporters.
“The supporters are not stupid and they’ll forgive us for not being as good as the opposition, but they won't forgive us for not working as hard as the opposition. What I saw in the first half was a few prima donnas in our team and I saw the opposition do what we do to most teams, which is work hard, put the opposition under pressure and really get in somebody’s face.
“I thought we were very lucky at half time only to be one down – it was an embarrassment from my perspective. There was only really Stephen Dawson who represented me, the football club and what we’ve tried to establish here.”
He continued: “We’re an honest bunch and we have our flaws, but we get up and we fight. If we get knocked down we fight again and I believe that represents our public, but we didn’t see any of that and that’s my embarrassment of the first half. I feel a little bit sorry for the opposition because I think they deserved to win.
“I’m happy going through to the next round for the supporters, for the Chairman and for the Board of Directors. It’s increasing our revenue stream but that’s the only thing I’m really happy about.”
Dale will find out on Wednesday evening who their second round opponents will be. Aldershot Town host Portsmouth in a first round replay after their game finished in a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park last weekend.
Who does Manager Keith Hill want?
“We’ll go anywhere to play in the FA Cup. It’s a special competition and we’re fortunate enough to be going through to the next round so we’ll play anyone.”
The full interview is available to view on Dale Player.