Manager Keith Hill spoke to Dale PlayerHD after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Oldham Athletic at the Crown Oil Arena…
“It was tight in the end, but I think the score-line flattered the opposition.
“I thought we were absolutely superb in the first half and we should have put the game to bed. We created goal scoring opportunities but their ‘keeper has kept them in it and they’ve had two brilliant blocks by their defenders.
“They didn’t really threaten and only had one opportunity, but in games like that if you don’t seize the opportunity then you only go in one goal to the advantage at half time.
“The start of the second half turned slightly in favour of the opposition. They looked threatening when the ball was out wide but I thought we defended well and we had our opportunities on the counter-attack, so, for me, it’s the sign of a good side that we managed the second half well.
“And if you look at it, I think their ‘keeper has been worked a lot more than our ‘keeper in the second half.”
Matty Lund’s first half strike was the only goal of the game and Hill believes it was a well-deserved goal for the midfielder.
“It was a neat little finish and prior to that he had a shot blocked when Steve Davies chested the ball down to him in the box. It was a brilliant bit of skill and it was just rewards for him continuing to get into the box.
“I’m pleased that we’re going into this two week period of cup fixtures before our next league game having won.
“You can have a negative run but we’re not on one of those. We lost two games in 11 in all competitions so I’m pleased. I’m also pleased with today’s performance and the result.”
And Hill confirmed that Ian Henderson missed the game through injury. He is likely to be side-lined for up to six weeks.
“Ian Henderson picked up an injury in training which is a shame because we need all bodies.
“He has been for a scan which has revealed that he’ll be out for four to six weeks. That’s a concern because Hendo has done a tremendous amount for this football club. We want to get him back up to speed and back onto the training pitch as soon as we can but we can’t rush him because I don’t want a Peter Vincenti type scenario happening.
“It’s up to the other boys to step in, but I think the young brigade are doing quite well and nothing is phasing them in these derby games. These are big games on behalf of the supporters, so there is a lot of responsibility, but when we’ve got people like Steve Davies, Calvin Andrew and Keith Keane out on the pitch, then they’re invaluable players for the kids to learn from.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.