Manager Keith Hill reflects on his side’s late defeat to Bolton Wanderers…
“I’m proud of the way that we played. The players executed our game plan. Bolton are a good side and, for me, they’re a tip for the top two. Bolton and Sheffield United should really be in the top two and I fully expect them both to be, but we were only narrowly beaten today.
“We nullified their threat and I thought we played exceptionally well.
“There is the argument that they controlled our possession or our penetration but I don’t subscribe to that.
“I’m pleased with the way that players have played, the effort that they’ve given and we were 100-percent unfortunate today. It just wasn’t to be.”
Bolton claimed the three points with a debatable goal, which was deemed to have been scrambled over the line despite Dale’s best efforts to clear it.
After looking at a replay, Hill was still unsure as to whether or not the ball had crossed the line.
“I’m not too sure if it was a goal – I’m not convinced. I can’t decide if it was over the line or not and we’re still in shock. We’ve slowed it down and there’s still as debate as to whether it has crossed the line or not.”
Rochdale are back in action at the Crown Oil Arena this weekend as Charlton Athletic make the trip for the rearranged fixture from January.
Dale were due to be without a match to Millwall’s FA Cup exploits and Hill is pleased that we’re able to keep the run of games going.
“I’m glad we’ve filled the criteria of fulfilling this fixture.
“Where I’m going now and what I’m trying to achieve is making sure that we stay very close to the chasing pack, or the pack, while I’ve got players coming back from injury, and that’s our intention as a football club. When you consider our end of season form last season and where we are now, then I think we’re 10 points in front of where we were last season.”
Watch the full interview on Dale PlayerHD.