'No gimmes', says Hill

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Keith Hill

Dale face Exeter City at Spotland on Saturday and despite Exeter's record of just one win from their last six games, manager Keith Hill says you can’t read too much into that.

“I don’t think you can look too much into the league positions of the team you’re playing or their run of form, etc.

“You only have to look back to last week and Nothampton, who were one of the better sides to play us this season, turned over Fleetwood – there are no gimmes.

"Exeter are an excellent side, they always have been, they’ve got an excellent manager who’s very intelligent and understands the game. He’s been patient with his own career and I think he’s just working out his own team and the league again this season and you have to be able to do that.”

Rochdale were deserved 2-1 winners over Morecambe last weekend and received plaudits from Morecambe Manager Jim Bentley after the game. It isn't the first time that the opposition has spoken of their appreciation for Dale's style of football, and Hill says that's down to the hard work of the players.

“I think it’s testament to them being talented players who are willing to work hard with and without the ball," said Hill.

“There’s a massive amount of honesty and I think the running ability of the players is there for everyone to see. They’re running in the right manner with enthusiasm and backing each other up and I think you can see that the squad is a team. It’s got a unity and everybody is in sync.

“If I feel as though it’s necessary to change the team then the players who have come in have been compatible with it and that can only help with respect to guiding this football club to a successful future.”