Manager Keith Hill spoke to Dale PlayerHD following his side’s resounding 3-0 win over local rivals Bury at Spotland…
A first half Nathaniel Mendez-Laing brace and a bullet header from Ashley Eastham after the break secured the well-deserved points for Rochdale, in a game they controlled from start to finish.
The victory sees Dale surpass the 50 point milestone with 10 games still left to play, and continues their fine form, with just one defeat in their last seven outings.
“I think our present performance form is very good,” commented Hill.
“Everyone talks about points form which is really, really important but I’m really pleased with our performance form.
“I think we took a lot of what we displayed against Coventry into today’s game but we got a lot more penetration today and I’m really pleased with the outcome.
“I don’t think it was ever in doubt after the first half.”
He continued: “We’ve performed superbly in the first half and I think we managed the game tremendously.
“2-0 can make a lot of coaches and players a little bit nervous because you’ve got to expect pressure from the opposition. They’ll try everything – they’ll go a little bit off the cuff but it does create other opportunities for you as a team, and I think we managed the second half superbly. We got another goal and I don’t think anyone can complain with the result.
“We asked the front three to do certain things over the course of the week to improve on last week’s performance and they’ve done it.
“We always say that players are responsible for seeing a game plan through but I thought the way that they managed the game was superb.
“I’m pleased with the result. If I look back six weeks ago, you’re arguably thinking that you’re going to get dragged into a relegation fight. We made the players aware of that and the response I’ve had from the players has been brave and magnificent.”
And Hill confirmed that Grant Holt missed Saturday’s match with a back problem.
“His back spasmed up yesterday [Friday] and he needs ironing out, to be honest.
“His inclusion at the football club should be never underestimated because I don’t know whether or not you’ve not noticed the change in results. He’s a good influence and it’s great to have Premier League pedigree in and around the football club. I think the players have bounced off that, and equally so, it puts a bit of fear in the opposition. I’m really glad he’s at the football club.
“We want him out on the football pitch but he was no way fit. That’s why we recalled Nyal Bell [from his loan spell at Chester].
“Nyal has been training superbly and I put him on the bench today – I think he deserved that for the work he has been doing on the training pitch.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.