Brian Barry-Murphy has praised the work rate and performance levels of his squad ahead of this weekend’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.
The Dale boss want his players to continue focusing on their performances, which he is confident will lead to positive results.
“In the moment, when things are tough for us in terms of injuries and the actual results in the league, I think it’s very important to remember that these players are working exceptionally hard and that our performances have been of a very high level,” said Barry-Murphy.
“We’re very keen to continue that trend, and we’ve worked on a process that we believe our performances will lead to results. It’s imperative that we don’t become fixated on results, and we focus on our performance levels.
“If we can maintain those and improve them on a daily basis, we’re certain, and we know that from our previous results, that the points tally and the results will follow.
“We’re looking forward to the game on Saturday at a venue that we know well, and against an opposition that we’ve had some great battles with over the last couple of years.
“It’s a game we’re looking forward to and we’re very excited to get back into league business, especially coming off the back of the game on Tuesday night when I thought the players acquitted themselves in a manner that was exceptional. It was a very positive result for ourselves.”
Barry-Murphy has touched on the injuries within his squad, and has explained that although numbers are stretched at this moment in time, it has been a huge positive to see the younger members of the squad in action.
“Whilst we feel that the squad is very stretched, and it is in terms of numbers, there’s still an upside to that, in that we’ve been able to see some of our younger players play in first team games and in league games.
“The expression that we see from those players on a daily basis, to see it replicated in an actual game in our stadium, is something that fills me with excitement.
“That they’re working so hard to get those opportunities is indicative of the work that’s been done throughout the Academy, and to see it transferred into the first team environment is what we believe we’re all about as a Club.
“I think it’s imperative that we stay true to that mantra, and we try and do it for all the right reasons. The right reasons are that those players are exceptionally hard-working lads, who are doing it every week at Academy level, and they see the natural pathways to progress into our environment.
“The fact that we can give them those opportunities in game as such as Tuesday night, it’s part of the reason that we love being associated with this Club and it’s a real part of what makes us different.
“We’re very, very confident that the players representing the Club on Saturday will give everything for the Club and for the team. They’ll provide us with a team that can be very competitive on the day and that’s all we can ask really.
“We’ll do everything to try and win the game and we’re very conscious of the fact that our performances are still of a winning standard, it’s just turning them into wins in the league environment that is our focus.”
Click HERE to watch the interview with Barry-Murphy in full.