Manager Keith Hill reflects on Rochdale’s 3-0 Boxing Day win over Chesterfield at the Crown Oil Arena…
Ian Henderson scored and brace and Calvin Andrew netted the other, as Dale secured their nine consecutive home league victory.
“I thought it was superb," said Hill.
"I thought it was a very, very professional performance. There were some bits of magic in it and I thought it was superb at times, and we got three goals. I thought we were good value for the three points.
“When we missed the penalty and Joe Rafferty missed the second half opportunity, then you’re almost thinking is it really going to be our day, because I thought we threatened superbly well for most of the afternoon.
“Ian Henderson broke the deadlock and I thought Steven Davies was instrumental in the way we scored those goals. I know Stevie missed his penalty but I thought he was superb. He was outstanding with respect to the way he brought players into the play, and Oliver Rathbone and Calvin Andrew supported him.
“I also thought there were little bits of magic from Callum Camps and some of it was outstanding.
“The Christmas period is a testing time for any squad but we’ve got the first three points of the festive season on the board.”
He continued: “Everyone has contributed today. Calvin has come into the side and scored a good goal. He has also defended set-pieces superbly well for us. Chesterfield are a big threat at set-plays but I thought we defended really well today, and we kept a clean sheet.
“We were playing against a team with an outstanding striker in Ched Evans but we suppressed him today and we suppressed them. The last time Chesterfield played, they beat Bolton 1-0.”
The victory saw Dale rise to fourth in the Sky Bet League One table but Hill says he’s focussed on Dale’s points per game ratio.
“I look at the goals per points ratio. Out of the last 46 games league games, we’ve got 78 points, so that’s what I’m measuring.
“I’m measuring us against last season’s growers and last season’s faders, and against ourselves as well. This time last year we had 30 points.
“I’m always measuring ourselves in comparison to other teams who have been there – Coventry and Gillingham last season, for example. When I look at the consistency over 46 games and the 78 points we’ve accumulated, then I’m really pleased with that.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.