Utility player Matty Done believes Rochdale have a squad more than capable of performing in League One… now their biggest challenge is getting there.
Dale went down 1-0 at the hands of Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday and slipped to 6th in League Two as a result.
But Done, who is in his second spell at Spotland having helped secure Dale’s first promotion in 41 years first time around, believes that despite Saturday’s defeat the current squad is even better than that group.
“One of the fans said to me the other day that he thought this squad is better than the one we had in League One and the promotion squad before that and I agree,” Done told MM.
“If we can keep this squad together and add to it there’s no doubt that we can go and do it again in League One.
“I think the hard thing is getting there (to League One). Once we get there I don’t see why we can’t push again in League One.”
Manager Keith Hill is also in his second spell at Rochdale having signed Done for Barnsley after swapping Spotland for Oakwell in the summer of 2011.
The 25-year-old enjoys working with Hill and made no effort to hide the fact that it was the chance to re-unite with his old boss that was the catalyst for his return to Rochdale.
“The gaffer made me decide to come back,” Done added. “I loved it here first time- it was one of my most enjoyable times as a footballer.
“We had a good spell in League One where we pushed for promotion with the smallest budget in the league with a young, small squad.
“But now we’ve got a great set of lads and the fans are brilliant, so it’s great to be back.”
In that period Done made his name at Rochdale as a tricky winger, but of late he has become more accustomed to stopping wingers, playing at full-back.
The former Barnsley man was quick to credit Hill for his newfound versatility.
“He (Hill) gets the best out of me,” said Done. “I’ve ended up playing left-back now so he just seems to get me playing, wherever that is on the pitch.”
Image courtesy of Rochdale AFC, with thanks.
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