Manager Keith Hill spoke to Dale PlayerHD following his side’s 2-1 win over Port Vale at Spotland.
Dale came from behind to secure victory over the Valiants.
Chris Birchall put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes, but Ian Henderson equalised with a penalty five minutes before the break.
Dale dominated the second half and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored with 12 minutes remaining to secure the three points.
“It’s a difficult battle to balance – trying to give players opportunities and get three points. As a Manager you need three points on a regular basis or points on the board ticking over in the league.
“I was really pleased with the way that we played and I probably would have been if we had drawn the game or lost the game.
“We got a leg up today – it wasn’t a penalty and I do sympathise with Rob the opposition manager and Port Vale, but having said that, I think the first goal is a bit of freakish goal - I think the pitch held the ball up.
"It could have rocked us confidence wise but it didn’t. I saw us grow today – I saw the players grow and I put my trust in them and I always will do.
"It could have rocked us confidence wise but it didn’t. I saw us grow today – I saw the players grow and I put my trust in them and I always will do.
“But like I said, it’s a difficult ask to keep balancing what we’re trying to at Rochdale Football Club because I need points in a league that we’re unfamiliar with.
“I’m really pleased that we got the three points and I think it was a three point performance.”
On today’s attacking line-up, he commented: “There was an attacking intent.
“We looked at the opposition and I thought we could play with two number 10s.
“James Hooper - it has been a wrestle with myself, him and the rest of the staff about what I want from him but he can provide that type of performance. I’ve got to nurture him and I’ve got to give him fresh legs on the training pitch because he has come off with cramp today.
“When I look at the two spectrums, Calvin Andrew for example and James Hooper, I think it’s brilliant that the players support what I’m trying to do at this football club, as well as the board of directors. They back each other up.
“In between that, I look at Callum Camps and see how he is growing maturity wise and that’s where I’ve got to be patient as a manager.
“That’s where I think in the long term the points will bear dividends.”
The full interview Dale PlayerHD.