Read the thoughts of the Youth Team’s Assistant Academy PDP Coach Chris Brown…
Dale’s under 18 side have started their 2016-17 campaign in a positive fashion, winning two and drawing one of their opening fixtures.
Youth Team Assistant Academy PDP Coach Chris Brown is pleased with what has been achieved so far but isn’t getting carried away.
“The lads have started really well. There are lots of positives to take from our first three fixtures but there’s also progression still to be made.”
Matty Gillam has netted six of Dale’s nine goals and Brown admits he has been impressed with the young forward.
“He’s had a great start, scoring two goals in each game. His attitude and application has been really good. I’ve been really impressed with how he is applying himself and how he’s taking what he’s been learning in training into games.”
Saturday sees Rochdale travel to Lincoln City in the new-look EFL Northern Youth Alliance Cup. The Imps are an unknown opposition for Dale and Brown believes the game will provide a good challenge for the lads.
“Firstly, I think the new format is a positive because it resembles the senior set-up. It’s also great to be playing in a group competition because it takes them away from the normal league format. We’ll see how it goes but it’s looking good so far.
"As for Lincoln, they’re in the North East league, so it’ll be a different challenge for the boys. It’s a new opposition for them so they’ll have to deal with that.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.