Robbie Stockdale is hoping Dale can build on recent results, heading into the weekend’s game at Walsall.
Tuesday night’s late win over Notts County saw Dale progress to the second round of the Emirates FA Cup, meaning his side have lost just one of the last eight games.
“The manner of the victory, scoring so late, there’s no better feeling,” said Stockdale.
“We’ve done it quite regularly this season, scoring late goals, if I think of the Sutton United and Leyton Orient games, so it’s a nice habit to have. You can’t replicate the feeling of winning a game of football against a really strong Notts County team. We saw some of the results in the same round, so it was great to come through the tie.
“We’re really satisfied with our work up to now in the FA Cup and we look forward to a fantastic game against Plymouth Argyle in front of the cameras.”
Saturday’s game at Walsall is the first of three in seven days, which also sees Dale at home to Stevenage and Exeter City.
“It will be a tough week, in terms of there being a lot of physical demands on the players.
“We’re in decent form in the league, we’d have liked to have won a couple more, but we’re unbeaten in five.
“We’re expecting a really difficult week, starting at Walsall. They’re an improving team with a manager similar to myself, finding his feet at time, but we go there in decent form, good confidence and it could be the start of a really, really good week.
“If we can build on what we’ve done, get that consistency in our game, then we’ve got a good chance anywhere of picking up points.
“If I’m being really critical, we could have played better in some games. I’m hoping that it’s the sign of a good team that we’re picking up points and not getting beaten when we’re not playing to our best.
“I think back to a couple of games where we, maybe, frustrated the supporters a little bit shall we say, and that’s fine, we want to play our best every game.
“I go back to it will take everybody. We know we’re a team that are sort of learning on the job a little bit. I don’t like using the phrase ‘transitional period’ but if ever there was a case to use it, it’s with our club!
“Let’s see if we can improve our performance every time we step on to the pitch, and if we do, it gives us a better chance of winning.”
Stockdale also gave an update on Jimmy Keohane, who missed Tuesday’s game, and Aidy White, who was substituted in the second-half at Meadow Lane.
“Jimmy Keohane picked up a knock on his foot, which is why he missed the game on Tuesday. Thankfully, he’s had an x-ray which shows there is no permanent damage, but it’s a sore one so he will be touch and go. We’re hoping it was just cramp with Aidy [White], he was still a little bit sore on Thursday, so he’ll get assessed on Friday.”
Click HERE to watch the gaffer’s full pre-match interview ahead of Saturday’s game.