Manager Robbie Stockdale on Dale’s 1-0 defeat to Stevenage at the Lamex…
“Not good enough today,” said the Gaffer.
“We knew stevenage would come out pretty strong. We saw the first threat on 15 minutes and had a lot of ball and a lot of possession in their half, but I think all afternoon we rarely threatened any really clear cut opportunities and that’s the really disappointing thing.
“On the back of where we were, after the three home games, it feels like we’ve taken two steps back. The players know my feelings on that and the good thing is that we’ve got another opportunity at home on Monday to put it right.
“It’s alright having the ball and stats - this, that and the other - but we didn’t really threaten the goalkeeper and that’s something we’ve been alright at over the the couple of weeks, so it’s frustrating.”
Scott Cuthbert scored the only goal of the game three minutes after the break, heading home from a corner.
“The message was clear at half-time. We knew they’d come out strong again, so [the message was to] see that off and get control of the game, but the set-play has done us.
“As I reiterated all the way through our good run, clean sheets are paramount and we didn’t get one today. If we do, it gives us something to hold on to and the game opens up a bit and we find more space and gaps to exploit, but we gave them that encouragement and a head start in the game and we couldn’t claw it back.”
Stockdale confirmed that both Liam Kelly and George Broadent were missing from the matchday squad through injury.
“Liam flagged up an injury yesterday. He travelled with us and had a fitness test this morning but didn’t pass. George Broadbent got injured yesterday as well. He pulled his hamstring, so it looks like we’ll be without him for the remainder of the season as well.
“James Ball is also injured and obviously all if these injuries come in the one position, which isn’t helpful. We’ve got the option to recall Ethan from his loan at Spennymoor which we might look to do.
“But, you know, Eoghan has played in that position plenty of times, so has Jimmy Keohane.”
Watch the full interview on the club’s YouTube channel.