Manager Keith Hill reflects on Dale’s 2-1 defeat to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on the penultimate day of the 2017/18 campaign…
Two second half penalties saw the U’s come from behind to claim the points.
“It’s about responsibility – individual responsibility and team discipline,” said Hill.
“We conceded two penalties probably through a lack discipline, and when that happens, you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position.
“We were in control of our own destiny at 1-0 up, but unfortunately what’s happened has happened and we’ve got to deal with it. I think that’s what’s happening at this moment in time in the dressing room.
“I’m 100% disappointed [that the lead only lasted a couple of minutes]. You’ve got to be focused and you’ve got to be concentrating because the game isn’t won at that point – it’s a step forwards towards controlling the outcome of the game. We celebrated for too long and they attacked us straight from kick-off, so I was disappointed with the lack of discipline from the team at that point.
“I wouldn’t want to stand here and lambaste Callum Camps, but he knows and I think everybody knows that they are challenges [for the two penalties] that he doesn’t need to and shouldn’t make, but unfortunately he did.”
The result leaves Rochdale in the bottom four going into the last game of the season, and while Dale can still avoid relegation, they are now relying on teams elsewhere dropping points next Saturday should they secure a positive result at the Crown Oil Arena against Charlton Athletic.
“We can only dictate what we do, but we should never have been in the situation we find ourselves in going into the last game. The lads had done superbly well to get into the position we were in before today’s game, having worked so hard in the last 14 games, and we’ve thrown it away today.
“We’ve thrown the control away because of a lack of discipline. That lack of self-discipline has been evident for most of the season, and that’s what really disappoints me about the whole season.”
Watch the full eight minute interview on iFollow.