Manager Keith Hill believes his squad of players are very close to being a very good side, which is why he’s always demanding the best from his players.
Speaking ahead of Dale’s trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday, he commented: “You are cutting me as being frustrated [after my comments on Tuesday night], and I am frustrated, but I’m frustrated because we are so close to being where I want us to be.
“It’s just that five-percent that I’m frustrated about. I believe that we’re really close to being a very good side and it’s evident that this group of players just need pushing that extra couple of yards.
“That five-percent can soon ebb away into ten or 15 percent, and that’s where I’m making sure that doesn’t happen. The general spirit of the football club is brilliant, and we’ve got a lot of good young players who are learning the trade and being supported by good experience.
“It’s important that every player is available, fit, ready and raring to go. I made a lot of changes on Tuesday and I’m going to continue doing that throughout the course of the season. I feel as though I’ve got to marry up certain players to play against certain opponents, and it will be the same again against Fleetwood on Saturday.”
On the weekend’s opponents, Hill added: “They are a club that are futuristic, with respect to where they’ve been and what it is they’re trying to achieve.
“The Chairman heavily finances the football club because it’s not yet self-supportive with the fan base or money in/ money out, but he’s doing a marvellous job. We want chairmen and owners like Andy Pilley, who are investing in clubs and in the game. What we want don’t want are clubs who are committing financial crime.
“Joey [Barton] has been given a great opportunity there, and I expect him to make the most of it. Joey will be a success with Fleetwood or whoever he is managing.”