Hill alarmed by defensive blunders

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Tom Kennedy found the net at Dagenham but he and his fellow defenders could not see Dale through to victory.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill says his side need to shut up shop at the back if they are to get anything from their game with Notts County tomorrow night (Tuesday 27 January, 7.45pm kick off at Spotland).

The Magpies found the net four times in their win over Port Vale at the weekend, while Dale conceded three as they went down at Dagenham and Redbridge.

Hill admits that his side's defensive mistakes are a cause for concern.

"It's alarming the amount of goals we are conceding," said the Dale boss. "The game could have finished six or seven each on Saturday.

"It is something that has got to be addressed and whether that means a change in personnel or bringing players in from the outside of the team, time will only tell.

"The back four at the moment are probably down on themselves a little bit and some of the decisions that they are making are foreign to what I'm used to seeing. That self doubt is a horrible thing and we might have to change personnel just to give some of the lads a bit of a breather so they can take a back seat and get some confidence back."

Despite his side's defensive frailties, Hill has vowed that his team will battle right to the end of the season.

"We are a work in progress," he continued. "We are not the finished article and if we were I would have a team probably in Division One by now alongside Peterborough and MK Dons.

"Are we going to fight over the next 22 games? I would have thought so. If we do not then we end up with mid-table mediocrity. I will fight, hopefully the players will fight, Dave Flitcroft will fight, but I do not know which way it will go."