First Team Coach Lee Riley says he was happy with Dale’s performance from start to finish in Saturday’s win over Bolton Wanderers.
A goal in each half secured back-to-back league wins for Dale, after the New Year’s Day win at Accrington Stanley.
Luke Matheson’s goal shortly before the break broke the deadlock, before Jimmy Ryan’s first goal for the Club made sure of the three points and put paid to a Bolton comeback.
“We are really happy with the performance levels from start to finish,” said Riley.
“We came under pressure, which we knew we would. There are not many games where you see a team leading 1-0 who don’t come under pressure.
“Normally the key part is the second goal in those sorts of spells. There have been games where we have come under pressure and we have lacked the second goal.
“But we got it today which obviously helped us see the game through.
“Just before the half is a good time to score. Sometimes you can score too early but that was a big plus on the stroke of half-time.
“Kwadwo Baah did great to battle for the ball, kept fighting with the defender and Luke got into a great position, which we are always encouraging him to do.
“He scored a great goal, but it was even more pleasing that it was both young boys who made a great goal.
“We have certain processes that we try and stick to, regardless of the score. It didn’t change the team talk as we were going off the performance in the first-half.”
Riley reserved special praise for Ryan, whose goal ten minutes from time wrapped up the three points.
“We are delighted for Jimmy Ryan to grab his first goal for the club. He has been an exceptional player at this level over the past ten years.
“We’ve known he would be a work in progress because of an injury-hit year but we have never had any doubt in his ability.
“In the past two-three games we have really started to see that. He works in and out of possession for the team and had a brilliant game.”
The First Team Coach also gave an update on the fitness of Tyler Magloire, Ollie Rathbone and Ryan McLaughlin who all missed the game.
“Tyler Magloire is carrying a knock so was unavailable for this game.
“Ollie Rathbone rolled his ankle in training yesterday – probably 20 minutes into the session. It is nothing major and we should see him back again soon.
“It was a blow of course, the day before a game, but an injury is all it was. Ryan McLaughlin took a slight knock in training which is again very short term.”
Click HERE to watch the full interview with Riley on iFollow.