Brian Barry-Murphy believes Tuesday night’s victory over MK Dons is a reward for the relentless hard work shown by his player’s over the past month.
Dale recorded their third consecutive league win for the first time since April, running out comfortable 2-0 winners of MK Dons.
And the gaffer was full of admiration for his side’s performance.
“It is a great win for the players. The effort they put in was enormous against an opponent we know very well,” said Barry-Murphy.
“We were conscious of how much it would take and there were a lot of tired bodies in the dressing room afterwards.
“The guys gave everything for the cause. I want them to enjoy it and reflect on a huge effort over the last five or six weeks when the results have been tough.
“The players are getting the results they deserve through a lot of adversity. We had players playing out of position at AFC Wimbledon – Calvin Andrew playing at centre-back being one of them – giving everything for the team.
“It is important to acknowledge that selfless behaviour when you acknowledge how good we were against MK Dons.
“They have been a very good technical team over the past 18 months and they have been hugely successful in League Two.
“We were very aware that we would have to be patient when we didn’t have the ball but be as progressive as ever when we had the ball.
“There were spells in the first half where they had good possession and we were very patient. When we won the ball back we were aggressive and very dynamic.
Callum Camps’ third-minute volleyed strike from an Aaron Morley corner flew into the bottom corner of the goal – deflecting off Matthew Done in the process.
Morley similarly set-up the second as Ian Henderson rose highest from another corner to head home the winner in a comfortable victory for the home side.
Barry-Murphy thinks more goals will come if the side continue to play in the same way each week.
He added: “Some of our attacking play was exceptional. I’m assuming it was Callum Camps who got the first goal but the movement for the goal was very good from all the lads.
“The players were very controlled and looked clear in their minds they were enjoying the game – with and without the ball.
“We are always trying to work on the psychological side of the game, training the lads - and myself - to try and be comfortable when we are trying to play the right way but the chances aren’t going in.
“We keep knocking on the door, try not to sit back and remain on the front foot whenever possible.
“The players looked to me as if they had no lack of belief. We attacked the MK Dons goal whenever we could and we got a second goal through a trademark Ian header.
“We had chances to add to that and we could – and should – have scored a lot more goals.
“We cannot always control how many goals we score, but we can control the way we play.
“Oxford will be licking their lips watching the amount of effort we put into this game.
“Our players are incredible in the way they recover and want to go again on Saturday.
“They will again give everything for the club once again."