Manager Robbie Stockdale on Dale’s 2-0 win over Newport County on the final day of the season…
“Very pleasing end to the season [with a win], said Stockdale.
“We haven’t really had that feeling enough this season and to go and show our appreciation to our travelling supporters, something we couldn’t at home last week unfortunately, meant a lot.
“Neither team had an awful lot to play for but I thought he boys were superb - really, really good. We’re probably disappointed not to win by a few more but then the second goal kills it. We played well and it just makes the journey home and reflection a bit nicer.”
Matty Done, on his 310th appearance for the club, broke the deadlock at Rodney Parade in the 16th minute, after being played in by Ethan Brierley, while Abraham Odoh rounded off the victory in stoppage time.
“Matty has been the most amazing pro - he didn’t really get his opportunities early on this season but he has come into the team and made a big impact. Sometimes those older heads on the pitch know the game and know the level. I’m really pleased for him.
“And then at the other end of the spectrum there’s Ethan who also started the game and he also played very well. I said all along that we had a development plan with Ethan and I personally felt that it was quite right to put him in too soon - we were in a difficult moment. He has come in and shown that he can play at this level so the challenge to him is to have a starting position at the start of next season.”
The players celebrated with the travelling travelling fans after the game and thank them for their support throughout the campaign. Stockdale is looking for more of that winning feeling next season.
“We’ve come up a little bit short in terms of getting that feeling more often and the challenge for me and the challenge for the club is to produce a team that’s winning more often than not. That hard work has already started. We’ve obviously got players who are out of contract and loan players so I’ll sit down with them on Monday and discuss what my plans are with that.”
And the gaffer thanked all of the players who have been part of the squad this season.
“I want to thank the players - all of them. Even the ones who weren’t with us today and the ones who left in January, because they gave me everything.
“We’ve come up short at certain times, but it’s not for the want of trying and, in reflection, I’ve learnt a lot as well.
“In terms of the plan moving forward, it’s only right that I speak to the players. There could be a big turnover again potentially because we had to bring the loans in early on. I look at the balance of the squad and we need to improve it in certain areas but that [the discussion with the media] will come another day. Let’s just be happy that we won the game and be happy that we performed very well. We want this feeling a little bit more often next year.”
Watch the gaffer’s post-match interview in full on the club’s YouTube channel.