Manager Robbie Stockdale shared his thoughts on Dale’s 2-2 draw with Swindon Town at the County Ground…
After going behind in the first half through a Ben Gladwin half-volley, Dale responded superbly well during the second period and turned the game on its head.
George Broadbent equalised, before Liam Kelly put Rochdale ahead. Johnny Williams, however, struck home in stoppage time to ensure the points would be shared.
“I thought we started ok but I think in the first half we looked a really nervous team in the first half,” said the Gaffer.
“We’ve obviously got some young players and sometimes they can take you a bit literally, in terms of we recognised that Swindon have a got a really high line, but we looked for that too often and gave the ball away on many occasions. Swindon were very good - they’re a really good team who are on a fantastic run.
“We were really calm at half-time and just reminded the players what we believe in them and that they need to believe in themselves and be a bit more in moments like this. And I thought we were outstanding in the second half. We were really, really good.
“I thought we dominated the game in the second half - we were luck to [only] be 1-0 [down] in the first half, but I was so proud of them in the second half.
“For where were are the minute as a team, and to come here and play like that, after the knock of the first half, I thought it was really, really positive for us.
“Obviously really disappointed to lose the three points at the end, but I can almost gloss over that because of how we responded at half-time. Half-time we were lucky to be in the game, so to come away with a 2-2, even thought it’s frustrating, has got to be a positive.”
And Stockdale said a second half change in mindset brought about the change in performance.
“We changed formation a little bit, so credit to the staff for highlighting areas where we can hurt them, but it was more a change in mindset.
“Football is never going to be easy and there are going to be difficult moments, and we’re in a painful moment at the minute - we’re going through a little bit of hurt.
“[At half-time], it was just really telling the players why I brought them to the club, what I see in them and to show it, and I thought in the second half we did that.”
Watch the Gaffer’s post-match reaction on the club’s YouTube channel.