Dale boss on Colchester and the playoff fight

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Rochdale manager Keith Hill

Rochdale manager Keith Hill spoke today about tomorrow’s match away to Colchester, as well as playoff hopes and the club’s new ticket offer.

Despite The U’s sitting at mid-table, Hill stressed that Saturday’s game would be tough. He said: “Colchester can still achieve getting in the playoffs. They’ll be well-prepared.

“Their home form is superb. It’s a massive challenge for us.”

He added: “It will be a massively tough game. Their away record hasn’t been as good so it’s a big game for them at home.”

Hill shrugged off the loss at Spotland earlier in the season, saying: “It’s football water under the bridge.”

There are no fresh injury worries, which is helpful for a team the size of Rochdale.

“We’ve got a small squad. I keep thinking it’s time to rotate, but they [the players] are doing so well,” Hill said.

The physical fitness of a small team can be a concern, but Hill explained that mental fitness more of an issue for his team, and that the players’ physical fitness can’t be faulted.

Rochdale are making the long trip to Colchester today in preparation. He added: “[A long journey] does take it out on you mentally. Mental fatigue can affect you more than anything.”

A win tomorrow will see The Dale inside the playoff positions, which is something the manager has always seen as doable.

He said: “It’s definitely achievable but we shouldn’t be putting any pressure on the players.

“We’ve turned good performances into a winning sequence and we’ve got the momentum. Overall our season has been incredible.”

When questioned about whether the team is ready to face the Championship, Hill replied: “It’ll never be too early [to get promoted]. If you’ve got an opportunity to take something you should take it.”

The club is giving fans the chance to purchase their three last home games for the price of two, as an incentive to get more in to help support the team at this important time.

The manager is really keen for the public to get behind the players. He said: “It’d be brilliant, absolutely superb if more fans came. The games we’ve got left are frightening, so the more the better!”

For more information on the 3-4-2 offer, click here: http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/54967/rochdale-in-push-for-play-offs