Manager Keith Hill has praised Ollie Rathbone following his performances against Charlton Athletic and Peterborough United.
The young midfielder was tasked with man marking Ben Reeves at The Valley on Tuesday night and was given the same role at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday, being asked to take care of Marcus Maddison.
Speaking after Dale’s 2-0 win over Peterborough United, Hill commented: “Ollie Rathbone, for me, was Man of the Match by a country mile. What he did today was sacrifice himself for the team. He also did it at Charlton and he’s proving to be very good at that.
“We talk about the water carrier for the team, and his performance today was more about water carrying and providing a service for the rest of the team, and he provided it with outstanding qualities. If you’re giving out marks, then he’s an A star today.
“Ollie Rathbone covered every blade of grass that Marcus Maddison covered and then more to support his team-mates. Maddison is an outstanding football player, but to be an unbelievable football player, you have to show unbelievable temperament, and Ollie Rathbone showed discipline and temperament today.
“It was a deserved choice for Man of the Match.”