Rochdale manager Keith Hill hailed midfield prodigy Jamie Allen for his stunning volley then took a swipe at promotion rivals following the League Two leaders’ 2-0 weekend win at Wycombe Wanderers.
Peter Vincenti added the second for Dale who remain top of League Two and are now nine points clear of Fleetwood Town, the team just outside the automatic promotion spots.
Hill said that his side have ‘no fear’ going into their remaining games and criticised the transfer policies of second-placed Scunthorpe, Burton Albion and Fleetwood, all of whom made loan signings prior to last weekend’s fixtures.
“I see during the week teams who are really, really trying to throw the kitchen sink at it by recruiting players,” Hill told reporters.
“For me recruiting players at this stage of the season is undermining the squad of players you’ve got at your disposal and it can create a lot of unrest.”
A delighted Hill heaped praise on Allen both as a player and as a person afterwards describing the goal as ‘superb’ as well as tipping the youngster for stardom.
“I wish him all the success in the world because I believe he is a superstar and we are very fortunate to have that type of talent at Rochdale football club,” he said.
“He’s a player’s player, the players love him being in the side. He’s a manager’s player. He’s got no weaknesses.
“He’s well-natured and well brought up by his parents and grandparents.”
In a season that with just eight games remaining looks increasingly likely to end in glory for Dale, the emergence of Allen has been one of the club’s biggest success stories this campaign.
A product of the Rochdale youth academy, Allen made his debut against Port Vale in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy back in October.
He put in a man-of-the-match display and was immediately likened to Paul Scholes by his team mates due to his proficiency in possession and range of passing.
The teenager’s volley on Saturday did nothing to quash these comparisons with the former Manchester United midfielder as it was a strike not dissimilar to some of the volleys Scholes was lauded for during his illustrious career.
Allen has made 21 appearances for Dale this season netting six times and his manager will undoubtedly be hoping his young star has a few more goals in him before the season is out.
Main image courtesy of Rochdale AFC, with thanks.
