Hill slams Owls transfer policy

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Rochdale manager Keith Hill

Rochdale AFC manager Keith Hill criticised Sheffield Wednesday’s transfer policy during a live fans forum at the BBC last night (Friday 26 November 2010).

Hill said it was “criminal” that Wednesday might win promotion on the back of a flawed financial policy.

The Owls were given a 28-day stay of execution against an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) winding-up petition last week but find themselves fourth in League One, just two points off automatic promotion.

Dale are currently eighteenth in the table, two points above the relegation places, following a poor run of results.

Hill joined Bury manager Alan Knill, Oldham’s Head of Youth Tony Philliskirk and about 40 fans for a live broadcast with BBC Radio Manchester’s Jack Dearden.

Across 80 minutes the group discussed their seasons so far, club budgets, England and the Premier League.

During the session Hill said there is something wrong with football if clubs can find themselves in Wednesday’s position.

He said: “If clubs recruit players that they cannot afford then those players should be suspended until they can afford them. Those clubs still benefit from having those players even when they cannot afford them.

“Sheffield Wednesday could be promoted on the back of players that they can’t afford. It is criminal that they have been able to recruit the players that they have when they can’t afford them.”

Hill said he is pleased with how things are going despite his side’s poor form and added that teams are now starting to give Dale the respect they deserve.

But he warned that fans must not get carried away and expect the club to be challenging higher up the table this season, adding that putting too much pressure on the team to go for wins at home can have a negative effect.

“Managing expectations is probably the toughest thing at the moment,” said Hill.

“It is our human nature to be greedy but there has got to be a reality check to where you can be. There is an expectation for the home side to really attack the opposition and with one counter attack you can find yourself 1-0 down.”

Dale face local rivals Oldham today and need end their run of five games without a win to turn around their recent slide down the table.

Despite results going against his side in the last few weeks, Hill insisted he is enjoying the job and is not worried about getting the sack.

He said: “I don’t lose sleep over the possibility of losing my job. I have no fear of losing it because I am lucky to have it.”

The conversation inevitably turned to England and the game nationwide, with everyone on the panel agreeing that things need to change.

Speaking about England’s recent defeat to France, Hill said: “I could not see any development in the side.”

He added: “I am sick of people talking about 4-4-2. It is not just a question of formations. Players have got to be able to understand their role within the team.

“Our young players are not developing in the way that they should do. Some of our academies are exceptional but they are not realising their potential.”

Hill believes the riches that come with being a top-flight player can get to some people and they can become difficult to manage.

He said: “There is a reality to League One and League Two football. You can get to know the players.”

Rochdale against Oldham kicks off today (Saturday 27 November 2010) at 3pm at Spotland.