Manager Keith Hill believes Saturday’s win over Scunthorpe United has turned what has been an encouraging start to the season into a satisfying start with respect to the number of points accumulated so far.
The 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Joe Bunney and Peter Vincenti, sees Dale sitting fifth in the Sky Bet League One table on 14 points after eight games.
Bunney, a second half substitute, broke the dead-lock seven minutes after being introduced from the bench with a brilliant drive from the edge of the area, and Hill is pleased with the way Bunney took his opportunity.
“It was a super strike," Hill told Dale PlayerHD.
“If I’m being honest with you, I spent 24 hours and a few minutes deciding my substitutes line up because Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has been doing really well in training.
“Joe Bunney has had a little bit of compassionate leave but I still couldn’t make my mind up with respect to who was going to be really important for us coming off the bench and maybe coming on to secure the game or win us the game.
“But listen, I think we’ve got a very good squad. The depth is good but it’s up to players when they get an opportunity to prove a point or remain in the side. I need that hunger from players and I think we saw a great display from Joe with respect to hunger, commitment and energy. He took a risk when he came on and he took his opportunity superbly.”
Vincenti’s late goal secured the points for Dale as he put Keith Hill’s side back in front after the Iron had equalised through Murray Wallace. The Jerseyman struck beyond Luke Daniels after getting on the end of a fabulous ball into the area from Tom Kennedy, something which pleases Hill.
“We’ve been talking about it all week. I think one our weaknesses, and maybe what opposition managers have spoken about, is that we don’t get enough traffic down the left hand side.
“If I go back to when I first recruited Tom, Tom was a wing back of a left back and he was producing crosses from higher up the pitch. His delivery has been too deep this season but he got on the outside of the opposition and he put an absolutely superb ball on the move into the box. It’s very difficult to defend that ball when you’re moving back towards your own goal.
“It’s a good winning goal for us and it makes what has been a really good and encouraging start, a satisfying start with respect to points on the board.”
The full interview is available to view on Dale PlayerHD.