Manager Keith Hill reflects on his side’s Checkatrade Trophy tie v Blackburn Rovers…
Rochdale claimed two points from the fixture at the Crown Oil Arena to secure safe passage to the knockout stages of the competition. Dale will finish top of Group C, unless Bury win by seven goals against Stoke City’s Under 21s on Wednesday.
16-year-old Dan Adshead started his third game for the club, completing the full 90 minutes. Hill was again pleased with the youngster’s contribution.
“I was reasonably happy with what we produced considering the team that the opposition put out,” said Hill.
“There was an interview yesterday that suggested Tony Mowbray would play his under 23s, but he’s played a very strong team, so all in all, I’m reasonably happy that we’ve progressed through the group, whether it’s as winners or second.
“But what I love about tonight is Dan Adshead. The boy is class, so that’s the reason why I’m really, really, really pleased that we’re in this competition.”
Rovers were reduced to ten men shortly before the half hour mark when Scott Wharton saw red for a high foot on Joe Bunney.
“It’s a sending off, nobody can complain – the height of the player’s foot meant it was dangerous play. There was no intent from the player – he has genuinely gone for the ball, but the height of his boot is deemed dangerous play and it’s the correct decision.”
Rovers took a 1-0 lead into the break, after Joe Nuttall put them ahead just before half-time, something Hill was disappointed with.
“We should never have been a goal down. It was obvious what the opposition’s tactics were from that point on wards and we had a lot naivety in the way that we conceded the goal. I thought the way we allowed the opposition to counter-attack us in that way was amateurish and we almost paid heavily for it. The second half substitutions probably changed the tempo of the game in our favour. It could have been a frustrating night but it ultimately it wasn’t.”
The full interview is on iFollow.