Manager Keith Hill reflects on his side’s 4-0 win over Swindon Town at the Crown Oil Arena…
Joe Bunney put Dale ahead just before the half hour mark with a header at the back post, before three goals in 11 second-half minutes sealed a convincing victory.
Matthew Lund crashed home an effort from inside the area to double the lead ten minutes after the break. Steven Davies slotted home from his own rebound shortly after coming on as sub, and netted his second from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the area.
Dale enjoyed near total domination and secured a fully deserved three points which moved them up to seventh in the League One table.
“I think they (Swindon) are a good side. If they score in the first 20 minutes then it could have been the total opposite with respect to the reflection of the game,” said Hill.
“We had it last weekend at Bradford. That game wasn’t a 4-0 and you could argue that this game was never going to be 4-0 but that’s what it has ended up being.
“I’m pleased with the way we dug deep in the first half, we worked hard and got a goal.
“Then in the second half we did play really well, and the second half was a fair reflection of the game.
“But you’ve got to give credit to the opposition. I love the way they play and I think they’ve got good players.
“They were definitely in the game at half-time but we definitely turned it up a notch in the second half.”
Ian Henderson made his return from injury, coming on as a second half substitute, whilst Keith Keane was forced off after picking up an injury just before the interval.
“It’ll be difficult for Keith to be fit for Tuesday but if he is, then it gives me a positive headache,” said Hill.
“I think we’ve stabalised while we’ve had injuries and suspensions, and we’re going to have more now with Joe Bunney getting his fifth yellow today.
“The squad is in good form and it doesn’t matter whether we’ve got injuries or suspensions, the players are supporting each other and it’s happy to place to be, but we all know in football that there could be a storm gathering just around the corner.
“I’m not too sure we get an awful lot of respect from the football world for the way we do things. People want to hit us with a stick and I don’t know why.
“I’d come and watch Rochdale and think ‘wow, they’ve got something special going on there. They’re playing a 16-year-old, 18-year-olds and 20-year-olds’ and we’ve still got more to come.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.