Manager Robbie Stockdale on Dale’s 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient…
Alex Newby put Dale ahead after just 35 seconds, before the visitors to the Crown Oil Arena levelled on 24 minutes. Orient took the lead midway through the second half but Newby ensured a share of the spoils right at the end, netting on 90 minutes.
“It’s maybe a fortunate point,” said the Gaffer.
“After going in the lead so early you hope to build a bit of momentum. First half I thought we were ok, nothing special, and I thought we were poor. We’ve got miles better quality in the building with what we showed. Credit to the players, they kept at it, but it wasn’t pretty to watch.
“[The opening goal was a] good goal. There was good link up play and then a good cross after Corey’s got into an attacking position which we know he can do.
“It gives you a good platform in the game and it was nip and tuck. Obviously Leyton Orient have a style of play and a way of playing but I felt we sort of got sucked into that a little bit and didn’t play our game, so that’s the disappointing thing.
“I say it to you all the time - when I speak to you guys straight after a game, emotions are quite high. I might look back at it and say it’s a really good point but I’m more disappointed in our performance and I’ve told the players that.”
The Boss continued: “We’ve got miles better quality than what we showed today. Individual mistakes, and that can happen, on the plus side they kept going and they kept persevering.
“Although I was disappointed with her performance, I don’t think Joel [Coleman] had loads of saves to make. They’re always asking questions with long throws and set-pieces.
“I’ll review the game like I always do but I think we’re all disappointed in the way that we played but we still came out of it with a draw so, ok, we’ll move on.”
The point means Dale are now unbeaten in five in the league but Stockdale wants to see improved performances at home.
“Away from home we seem to have a bit of freedom in our play and we’ve been excellent away from home. We’ve shown patches of it at home and I’m really looking for that consistency.
“You’re right, it’s a great little run in the league in terms of being unbeaten, but if we want to get to where we want to go, then we need to play better and win these games at home.
“It’s a long process, it’s a new team still - I know we’ve had them in the building a little while now, but they’re still getting to grips with me and they’re getting to grips with each other.
“It’s pleasing to extend the unbeaten run but I can’t honestly say that I was really pleased with how we played.”
Watch the Gaffer’s post-match interview in full on the club’s YouTube channel.