Manager Keith Hill spoke to Dale Player following his side’s opening day victory over Peterborough United at Spotland…
“I think [Peterborough] are still fancied but I just don’t think they realised what they were going to bump into.
“It’s not a one game season by any stretch of the imagination and you don’t know what to expect, but we’ve been preparing to play like this and I’ve been witnessing it on the training pitch.
“We’ve played like that in certain games this pre-season, but we’ve been training like that. And I’ve been pretty relaxed because I’ve got used to the fact that it’s a 46 game season no matter what happens on the first game of the season. Last year’s [opening day result] wasn’t great and this season it has started superbly, whereas last season finished exceptionally well.”
Hill continued: “I’m really pleased with the performance but I’m really pleased with the lads and the fact that they’ve taken ownership of it. We’ve done a lot of hard work psychologically and I’m asking them to accept the decisions on the pitch and I’ve got to forgive them. I’ve got to trust my future in these players and I thought it was a well-executed professional performance today against a very good side.
“The season isn’t one game, but it’s one game old now and what I’ve witnessed fills me with enthusiasm. I believe it stands me and the players in good stead.
“I look at the players every day and they are 100-percent committed. They also believe in the plan. We’re not going to get every day like this because nothing is perfect, but we are looking for the perfect season and I think that’s a good start.
“It’s a good really good start and I think anyone who witnessed that knows that it’s a very good start in every aspect.”
The full interview is available to view on Dale Player.