Goal hero Steven Davies believes Dale’s performance against Tottenham Hotspur more than deserved the opportunity to take the Premier League side to a replay at Wembley.
Substitute Davies struck home in stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw with Spurs and book a date at the national stadium, in his first appearance since returning from a near two-month lay-off from injury.
Speaking to iFollow after the game, Davies said: “It’s an amazing feeling.
“Calvin [Andrew] has been absolutely amazing in the way he has lead the line on his own for so long, and I think if he was fit today then I wouldn’t have been involved.
“But the Gaffer has put me on and he knows that if a ball drops in the middle of that box, then he wants it to fall to me. I did today what I’ve done my whole career, and that’s got a good first touch and put it away.”
Whilst Davies has made all the headlines on Monday morning, the striker was keen to highlight his team-mates’ efforts.
“All credit to the boys. I thought we were brilliant in the first half and the first goal is a great move. Andy Cannon’s pass is unbelievable and Hendo finishes like he does.
“When it goes to 2-1 so late on, you’re just hoping that you get one more chance. We got it and we deserve the chance to go to Wembley and enjoy our day.
“We know that we’re having a tough season but this competition seems to bring out the best in us. It’s for days like this that you do it. I think we’ll have an amazing time at Wembley – it’s going to be an amazing time for everybody. Let’s go there, have a good day and see what happens.”
Rochdale's performance on the newly laid Crown Oil Arena pitch has attracted widespread praise and Davies believes that is fully deserved.
“The club have done brilliantly to find the money to put a pitch like that down. We’re a good team and it suits us. I’ve seen a lot in the press over the last week or so and we’ve been absolutely battered. I don’t think anyone has given us any credit for the way we actually play football, but we’ve just shown the whole nation on mainstream TV what this club can do.”
Watch the interview for FREE on iFollow.