Rochdale manager Keith Hill is dreaming of an FA Cup run as his side prepare for their first round match at Torquay United on Saturday.
After back-to-back league defeats the cup provides a welcome distraction for Dale as they look to get back to winning ways.
The FA Cup may not be the number one priority for the Premier League clubs anymore, but Hill is still enamoured by football’s oldest cup competition.
“I think it’s become less attractive to the bigger Premier League clubs in the pursuit of European glory but for clubs like Rochdale it’s a dream to go on a magnificent cup run,” Hill told The Dale Player.
“It’s an exciting break from the league.”
A trip to Torquay’s Plainmoor ground is likely to have been pretty low down on Dale’s wish-list of ties but their manager is not complaining.
“There was no negativity from my point of view when the draw was issued with respect to playing Torquay away,” said Hill.
“It’s a pleasure to pit our wits against Alan Knill and his team and we’re really looking forward to the game.”
Although Hill is taking the competition seriously he admitted that he will make changes to the starting 11.
“It gives me an opportunity to have a look at one or two of the players who haven’t been playing regularly,” he said.
“Hopefully that will promote a good performance and a good result as well.
“I don’t believe you should be looking to play the same team week in week in out.”
After making an outstanding start to the season which saw them top the League Two, Dale have since suffered two surprise defeats to Dagenham & Redbridge and AFC Wimbledon.
Hill wants to rectify this but is keen to manage expectations at the club.
“I want to maintain our great start to the season,” he added.
“I believe that on any given matchday we’re a top three side but I believe if we’re not quite at our best we’re maybe a top ten side.
“That’s for me and the players to wrestle with and I believe that will be over a three-year period, but because we’ve started the season so well there’s a lot of expectancy.”
The Rochdale boss has also been focusing on maintaining the players’ confidence despite recent set-backs.
“You can’t be too cynical or over-critical with players because the most important ingredient in any success is confidence,” said Hill.
“The worst thing you can do as a manager at times is to repeat criticism.”
Image courtesy of Texaco UKFC via YouTube, with thanks.
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