Hill not getting carried away

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Kaeith Hill at Accrington v Rochdale - Saturday 20 March 2010

Manager Keith Hill has been reflecting on the week as well as looking ahead to this Saturday’s match against Accrington Stanley at the First Store Stadium.

Dale head into the encounter looking for their third successive win following 1-0 wins over Bury and Torquay United, but Hill isn’t getting too carried away and says it is too early to make an assumption about whether or not we’re seeing a winning mentality developing.

He said: “We’re just seven games in. Everyone is rushing these days to compile leagues, and asking if we are doing this, are we doing that. Anything I do say I might end up tripping myself up - a wise man once said nothing.

“But I’m really pleased with the development of the players and I feel as though we’ve got a really good squad of players that we’re nurturing. People keep asking me what I’m going to do with them all, but I feel as though we’ve got a squad of players that are ready and a squad of players that I’m getting ready so that in January we can recruit from within this Football Club."

Gary Dicker became Dale's latest addition last week, but Hill says we shouldn't expect to see any more new faces.

"I’m really happy with what I’ve got, but if I have to make another addition then I will but I’d prefer to do it from within. Nobody will be going anywhere, but some of the players are going to have to be ultra patient.

"Part of the development games we're playing is about seeking an opportunity and it will be up to me to gauge whether the players are ready to maximise their potential in games.

“As long as everyone is compatable and they show great attitude like they have done, then nobody is going anywhere and I won’t need to recruit because it’s very competitive and it’s comfortably competitive.”

Accrington have yet to win a league game this season, but Hill is taking nothing for granted.

“We’ll pay, and we have paid, as much respect to Accrington [in our preparation for this match]. We don’t look at the league table, we look at the opposition and we respect the players who are playing, the management and the club in the same way that we respect the likes of Chesterfield in our preparation for the opposition.

"It’s going to be a hard fought, it’s going to be keenly contested and it’s going to be a difficult game. But our players have got the bit at the moment and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m hoping the players can express themselves in a manner that will be appreciated by the supporters.”