Manager Keith Hill reacts to Dale’s Emirates FA Cup 4-0 first round win over Bromley at the Crown Oil Arena…
Bradden Inman put Rochdale ahead inside ten minutes and Ian Henderson doubled the lead from the penalty spot just after the half hour mark.
Inman grabbed a third goal and his second shortly after the break, before Henderson completed the scoring six minutes from time.
“It was a very professional performance,” said Hill.
“I think we could have been two goals up before we scored. The scoreline at half-time should probably have been more.
“But the performance was very professional because of the respect we gave the opposition. Fair credit to Bromley – they didn’t make it easy. I think we made it look easier than it was, because we were willing to match the opponents with all the ingredients that you need – courage, running, commitment and being forgiving, and we were good with and without the ball. Once we won that battle, we deserved to score the goals.”
And Hill was full of praise for his full-backs.
“I was really pleased with my full-backs, because I got what I wanted from them today. Throughout the course of this season, I haven’t really got what I wanted from my full-backs, whether offensively or defensively, and a lot of the goals that we’ve scored during my time at the club have come through the full-backs.
“It’s one of the most demanding playing positions. The demands are there, so we’ve been stressing to the players that when we look at the data we’re not getting what we want from full-backs – whether that’s Joe Rafferty, Donervon Daniels, Kgosi Ntlhe or Joe Bunney - but we’ve been working on that and making sure that we’re fitter to sustain the type of game that I expect us to be able to play, and fair credit to the players because they’ve responded superbly today.
“During the week, I’ve had great training performances off Joe Bunney and Donervon Daniels as well, so they’re getting the message now of the way that my full-backs have to play.”
Watch the full interview on iFollow.