Jim McNulty says he is excited to lead the team for the final eight games of the season, starting with Saturday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.
The 38-year-old has been placed in interim charge until the end of the campaign, following the departure of Jim Bentley earlier in the week.
He says the last few days have been a whirlwind but that he believes Dale can have a positive end to the season.
“It’s a difficult situation to lose our manager and his staff,” said McNulty.
“They’re good people who tried their best for the football club and the fans. The way it happened and the speed of it, it was a shock and a surprise, but it’s been a whirlwind from then on in, with all of the immediate issues that need to be sorted as a newly appointed manager of the club, to try and help us with the best way forward.
“Being on the grass with the players has been the best part. I’ve been really excited to work with all of the players. I love working with them and trying to help everyone. That’s the way I see my best self as a coach. I see myself as one of them, alongside them to help them, which I think will help us all, hopefully.
“I know that everyone outside the football club thinks we’re down. That’s football, everyone has their opinions.
“But I think we can thrive off that – that’s what I’ve said to the players. The only pressure I’m asking of the players to put on themselves is pressure on their own performance. Put pressure on yourself to try and play well.
“All I believe is that we can win the next game. I’m really excited about the last eight games, because I believe we can put something positive together. Where that takes us, I don’t know.
“I believe we can win the next one and if we do, and win the next one after that, then you never know what the table looks like. Football is a funny game and I believe we can do well.”
Watch the full pre-match interview with McNulty on our official YouTube channel.