Manager Keith Hill admits the players and staff “enjoyed that winning feeling” after Dale secured their first win of the season on Tuesday night, and he believes it will “stand us in good stead” going forward.
Speaking to iFollow ahead of the weekend’s trip to MK Dons, Hill commented: “Getting the three points felt deserved.
“I was really pleased with our intensity, our energy and our goalscoring opportunities that we created on a difficult night.
“It’s typical of what we’ve achieved at the football club and how we’ve done it – last minute.com at times!
“I heard Beechy say after the match that we’ve been fighting for four-and-a-half years, and that fight continues. We have no right to be a League One side.
“Things change in seconds in football, and supporters’ attitudes towards the team changed in a minute. I think the players should be supported by everybody at the football club. That’s how we, as a management team and a football club, have produced team after team, year after year since I’ve been at the football club.
“I can’t remember too many good times without me and Flicker, or me and Beechy at the football club.”
He continued: “You’re always searching for a winning formula and a team that you feel can progress.
“We’re building another team, there’s no question about that. There have been so many changes, not just since last season, but this season as well with continual injuries and suspensions.
“It was magnificent that we got the win in the way that we did, and I think it will stand us in good stead.
“We enjoyed that winning feeling again, and a lot of managers are searching for that. The players have got to be prepared to fight hard, and if we do, I think we’re good enough to pick up the points and have another good season. That’s our aim at the beginning of the season.
“The players have been well prepared but we’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of suspensions, and one or two players not really hitting form yet.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s League One fixture at stadium:mk, he said: “We’re running into games, not running out.
“There’s a lot to play for, and we’re really looking forward to whoever it is we’re playing against. It’s a good month, an important month, and Tuesday night gives us that winning feeling.
“It’ll be a difficult game against MK Dons. They’re well managed, it’s a good football club, and a team that you would expect to be challenging for the Championship.”
Watch the full interview on iFollow.