Manager Brian Barry-Murphy has praised the “courage” and “resilience” of his players following his side’s goalless draw at Shrewsbury Town, a result that extends Dale’s unbeaten start to the season.
Rochdale finished the game on top and had a goal controversially ruled out late on, and the Boss was pleased with the way his players continued to push for a winner right until the end at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
“I haven’t seen the video [replay] but the lads obviously thought it was a goal. For me, I was just pleased with the way the players continued to attack in the latter stages of the game when it would have been easy to settle for a draw,” said BBM.
“We showed great courage and resilience in defending our goal and I thought we were a dominate force in those late stages of the game in what had a been a really even game and one that was tough game for long parts. We really came into our own towards the end of the game and we looked strong at the finish which is hugely pleasing for myself and testament to the players.
“I was delighted with the application of the players and the courage they showed in defending as team. I thought there were parts of our game today that weren’t up to the level skill-wise that they have been in recent weeks, but there are different ways to get results and our lads found a way today through real courage and aggressiveness in defending. I was happy with the way they applied themselves.”
Saturday was Dale’s first clean sheet of the season, something BBM was also pleased with.
“They [Shrewsbury] have established League One strikers in their side and they are a dangerous team, but I thought our lads handled them really well - there was great work-rate all over the pitch.
“You’re not going to come to these places and play on your own terms for 90 minutes. I was closely monitoring the way we defended as group and I thought we protected Robert [Sánchez] quite well today and it was very rewarding for him to get his first clean sheet in a Rochdale shirt.
“He deserved that – I thought he was excellent along with the lads at the back. I thought it was a very good, focused game from Robert and it was testament to him that we got a very good clean sheet.”
Watch the full interview on iFollow HERE.