Keith Hill is calling on Rochdale to ditch the ‘champagne football’ and deliver on the result instead.
Rochdale survived a late rally from Wycombe Wanderers to claim their fourth win in a row on Saturday.
But manager Keith Hill was frustrated at the way his team managed the lead, as despite playing with panache, sloppiness in possession allowed the visitors to rally.
Hill was quick to voice his disinterest in fancy footwork or ‘champagne football’.
“I don’t like champagne it gives me heartburn. I’d rather take the result I don’t want the glory,” he told the club website.
“We gave Wycombe a heartbeart they had no pulse, they came back to life, but we weren’t found wanting in our responsibility towards the end of the game and I thought we deserved the victory,” said Hill.
“We started absolutely superbly but the momentum swung because on two occasions our players were negligent in possession and once the momentum swings it’s difficult to wrestle it back.”
Dale raced into a three-nil lead in the first 15 minutes but were hanging on by the end as the visitors pulled two goals back.
Scott Hogan got his fifth of the season to top the League Two scoring charts, while strikes from Joe Bunny and Michael Rose had Dale in cruise control, as they made an exhilarating start.
Joe Bunny came in for the suspended George Donnelly while Matty Done also came into the side and Hill felt both justified their inclusions: “Joe Bunny took his goal superbly well and Matty Done was brilliant today.”
With plenty of options at his disposal, Hill looks set to rotate his squad throughout the season.
“For me now, winning games doesn’t mean keeping the same side,” Hill added.
Image courtesy of Rochdale FC via YouTube, with thanks.
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