Rochdale have a Christmas double header to look forward to at the Crown Oil Arena, with Chesterfield the visitors on Boxing Day and Shrewsbury Town making the trip on December 30th.
Dale go into the festive period in great form, having won their last eight home league games.
Keith Hill’s side currently occupy fifth spot in League One, and Hill says he’s pleased with what has been achieved so far this season.
“I’m pleased and also optimistically cautious as we turn into the New Year.
“We’re making positive progress but you’ve got to plan and you’ve got to do it steadily, and where we are at this moment in time is three-and-a-half years in the making. We want to keep making that progress.
“Since we’ve been back in League One, this is the best points haul (36 points) that we’ve had from the first 23 games of the season.
“The players are in good spirits, we’re scoring goals and we look capable of winning football matches. We want that to continue but there are no guarantees.”
Dale welcome Chesterfield to the Crown Oil Arena for a third time this season, after hosting the Spireites in the EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy earlier this term.
“We’re looking forward to the league fixture. We’re doing exceptionally well and it’s just another opposition. We’ve got to come up with a formula to beat Chesterfield on Boxing Day, and we’ll try our very, very best to do that.”
With three fixtures in quick succession during the festive period, Hill says the majority of the squad will be called into action.
“After the first 23 games are played, the games start running out so it’s important that we try and make the best of any sequence of fixtures.
“Over the Christmas period, we will probably have to utilise the majority of the squad and that’s where it’s really important that everyone remains focused and ready to play.
“I’m looking forward to the fixtures and hopefully coming out into the New Year in a good position in the league.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.