Manager Robbie Stockdale on Dale’s 3-0 win over Newport County at the Crown Oil Arena…
“I’m very pleased. I think we’ve sat here [doing the post-match interview] on numerous occasions and said that maybe the result hasn’t matched the performance, but today it did,” said the Gaffer.
“When we defended, we defended like men. First contact, second contact and the ‘keeper’s made a couple of half decent saves, but we always looked a threat going the other way which has been the story of our season, so I’m really pleased with how the 90 minutes went and absolutely thrilled to bits with the clean sheet. A clean sheet gives you a great platform to get a result from any game.”
Rochdale opened the scoring after just two minutes through Jake Beesley and they went on dominate the first half befoer puttin the game beyond the Exiles in the second half.
“We always try to start on the front foot. There’s a responsibility from me and the players, particularly when we’re at home, to start with that tempo to our game.
“I think if we had gone in a couple of goals up it wouldn’t have been unfair, but we didn’t and at 1-0 and even at 2-0, it’s a dangerous scoreline. We’ve been there before and if they get a goal back then the nerves around the ground come in, but they didn’t and that’s the huge satisfaction for the clean sheet. Like I said, it gives you such a big platform to get the result.”
And the Boss was full of praise for the overall performance.
“I thought we saw a performance of 100% grit and players on their feet. The substitutes came on and made a huge difference. I’ve got senior players on the touchline coaching the players because we’re down a couple of members of staff, so it’s a really nice feeling to win the game.
“Not only that but also the manner of it and how we played. I think we’ve deserved that result - it hadn’t come yet this season - so it’s pleasing to get it against a really good Newport team. We need to now build on it. Let’s make sure that we’re focused on Carlisle away in a couple of days [from now], but [for now] let’s have a breather.”
Watch the full interview on YouTube.