Keith Hill says he will continue giving Rochdale’s youngsters their chance to shine ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup second round tie with Bury at Spotland, live on BT Sport.
Dale will be looking to build on last weekend’s 2-1 home victory over Port Vale which saw debutants James Hooper and John O’Sullivan play starring roles.
Ahead of their first FA Cup meeting with Bury since 2003, which Rochdale won 2-1, Hill explained that blooding the club’s youth is a risk worth taking.
“When I give our young players an opportunity the only person it can have a negative effect on is me but I’m willing to take that risk,” said Hill.
“If we see something in players then I’m more than willing to give them an opportunity, then the key for the player is to continue the good work.
“We have to be brave and give these players opportunities. We’ve got a system at the football club where we’re trying to fast track players, so there’s no point ignoring them.
“I truly believe that other managers should take the plunge but a manager has to get three points on a regular basis and that’s why we see less and less English players brought through.
“I think there should be a rule in Leagues One and Two where you have to bring players through or there should be a financial benefit for clubs like us for bringing young players through.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s game, Hill explained the different management styles adopted by best mate David Flitcroft and himself.
“We do things differently,” he added.
“We have similar footballing values but different strategies, but if I had it a different way and could recruit ready-made players to bring in it would affect our youth system.
“We’ve had a good week and we’ve had an extra day’s preparation.
“There’s nothing we don’t know about Bury and vice-versa. They’re one of the fancied sides in the league and rightly so when you look at their recruitment.
“We’ve been financially successful in the FA Cup the past two seasons and we want to do it again this season.
“We’re on TV so that gives us extra revenue and it’s a great opportunity to get through to the next round. I see it as a free hit.”
Rochdale have made the fourth round of the cup in the last two seasons, with famous wins at home to Leeds United and Nottingham Forest along the way.
Image courtesy of Official Rochdale AFC via YouTube, with thanks.
