Jim McNulty says there’s no doubt that the players will put Saturday’s disappointment behind them as they prepare for Tuesday night’s game against Port Vale at the Crown Oil Arena.
A last gasp goal by Paul Anderson nicked a point for Northampton Town in the weekend’s fixture, delivering a crushing blow to Dale, who looked set to claim a victory.
The defender has praised Manager Keith Hill’s ability to get the players going again and says they’re looking forward to the last six games.
“We’ll go again,” said McNulty.
“That’s inevitable because the club in itself is a plucky club.
“We’re punching above our weight as a football club and the fact that we’re even aspiring to be in the play-offs is quite amazing. For me, it’s a glowing reflection on the manager.
“The manager will go to work on Monday, like he always does, and he’s very good at that.
“I’ve been with him for probably a few hundred games over the two clubs I’ve worked with him at, and he’s outstanding at getting going again on the Monday and inspiring a group of young players to go and show their talent again.
“If we do that, then of course we can win games. We just have to see if can win all six.”
Rochdale currently sit 10th in the division, just eight points outside the top six, despite having to cope with a glut of injuries since the turn of the year. McNulty admits that injuries have taken their toll.
“I fully believe we’d be in the play-offs now and having the same conversation about not quite getting automatic promotion if we’d had key players with us for the full season.
“I believe the team had started to turn the tide into a team that could actually do it.
“We made great signings when we were struggling at the start of the season, and they’ve done outstanding for us, in particular Keith Keane and Steven Davies. Matty Lund has been very good this season too, and with that spine, it added strength to the side and it has allowed other players to glitter.
“You need a balance in the side and those lads have brought a balance to allow the other lads to glitter, and when we’ve lost them it’s had an effect on the side.”
Watch the full interview on Dale PlayerHD.