Brian Barry-Murphy says there were a lot of positives to take from Dale’s performance against Coventry City.
His side took the lead through Ian Henderson, but saw the hosts turn the game on its head through Jordan Ripley and Liam Walsh.
However, the Dale boss was happy with the overall performance of his players.
“I was very pleased with a lot of aspects of our performance,” said Barry-Murphy.
“I thought the lads implemented what we had worked on to a tee for large spells of the game.
“I wouldn’t let my judgement be clouded by two moments of great quality by Coventry which decided the game.
“I have no complaints with the way our players played. I thought there were a lot of positives to take from the performance.
“I thought we had total control of the game against a team who are obviously very possession based and a good side.
“We had the ball for good spells ourselves and created chance after chance in the first-half, which was hugely pleasing for myself.
“The only problem was that we weren’t able to take enough of those chances. A ricochet in the box, the ball breaks to them and they score a goal which changes the score line, but not the way we felt about the performance.
“I was happy with the way we played and very proud of the way the players implemented our game plan.”
Henderson’s tenth of the season broke the deadlock shortly before the half hour mark, a goal which delighted Barry-Murphy.
“It was a brilliant move and it was full of the things that the players have been working on themselves with our coaching staff.
“They implemented everything that we want in that move and I thought it was just rewards for the way that we had attacked Coventry.
“We want our lads to be bold and really take the game to Coventry, which we did today despite the fact we had a lot of players missing.
“They delivered that to a tee and I was so proud of the way they played and tried to be on the front foot, against a very good team.”
Coventry’s winner came from a fine run and finish by Walsh, which the Dale boss felt came at a time when his side were on the up in the match.
“It was a good goal from their point of view. Every goal you give away, you analyse and look at what you could have done better.
“It can take away from the overall picture of how we played in the game. There were spells in the second-half when Coventry were very, very good. They’re a very good team and are unbeaten at home, so they’re allowed to have spells.
“I thought when they scored the second goal, we were at a point in the game when we were just starting to get back into the game and show our attacking intent again.
“It was a difficult moment for us but we managed to create some chances late in the game through shear personality and getting numbers in the box.
“I couldn’t ask the lads for anymore in terms of their willingness to attack to the end. At this moment in time there is lots that’s going against us, but the performance from my point of view was very pleasing.”
Watch the full interview with Barry-Murphy HERE.