Manager Keith Hill reflects on his side’s 3-0 win over Blackpool…
Goals from Ashley Eastham, Joe Bunney and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing secured another three hugely important points as Dale surpassed last season’s points tally with four games left to play.
Hill was pleased with the second half display and praised the players for a “very fine” performance.
“When teams come and use negative tactics, then you have to be patient," Hill told Dale PlayerHD.
"We were patient and we got the first goal from a very good free-kick from Donal [McDermott]. It loosened the game up and I thought the second half was a very, very fine display.
“It could have been more convincing but I’ll accept 3-0 with the manner in which we played in the second half. I really, really enjoyed it myself.
He continued: “Donal has assisted three goals today, when you consider we scored off the corner for the second one, and I thought the third goal was superb.
“I thought the front three in the second half ran Blackpool into the ground and that’s what I was especially pleased with.
“It’s ok coming and sitting deep, but once we score then you’re asking different questions of the opposition who need the win probably more than we do. And once the game becomes as open as it did in the second half, then it’s just going to town with the likes of Callum Camps, Jamie Allen and the front three in particular. I think everybody performed superbly today.”
The result puts Rochdale just four points outside the play-offs. Gillingham, who Dale face on Tuesday night, are currently the team in sixth place, making for a big night at Spotland.
While Hill wouldn’t be drawn on the play-offs, he again praised the players for what they've already achieved this season.
“We’ve got 64 points, which is more than last season with four games left to play. There’s no pressure on us or the players, the pressure is on Gillingham, but we needed to win this game today [against Blackpool] to have any chance of clawing back Gillingham into our challenges, if you like, for the season.
“I’m really pleased with what we’ve done this season. I'm also really pleased with the players and the way they’ve committed. And for us to beat Blackpool, who would have thought that five years ago when they were in the Premier League.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.