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Depleted squad needs help

Richard Partington
15/ 3/2008

KEITH HILL has endured another week of frustration in his attempt to bolster Rochdale’s attacking options.

Dale go into tomorrow’s League Two clash against Accrington Stanley at Spotland without Kallum Higginbotham, who damaged ligaments in Tuesday’s defeat by Stockport and will be out for two to three weeks.

Striker Lee Thorpe is still sidelined by a virus while Chris Dagnall is still weeks away from returning to full-contact training and is unlikely to feature this season.

Hill wants to add a goalscorer to the ranks via the loan market, but the efforts of the Dale backroom team have yet to bear fruit.

"There’s been no progress at all, a lot of phone calls ending in knockbacks," said Hill. "It is frustrating, because the lads need some help. There’s been no headway this week and sometimes it’s a domino effect with clubs higher up the foodchain waiting to get a player in before they will release another. It makes it difficult for us because we are a good way down the pecking order.

"Will Buckley is one of just three strikers we have going into this weekend’s match. Ideally, we would be giving him the odd cameo role here and there. That would be best for his development and it’s a tad unfair to be asking any more of him while we are trying to nurture his talent."

Hill spoke of the need to continue developing a layering system at the club, so that when top players like Glenn Murray are sold, there is a replacement waiting in the wings – something Dale have lacked this season.

"I don’t want the season to just peter out and ultimately we are attempting to do what only one manager in the history of this club has achieved before – promotion," he said. "We are building for next season already, and this squad will be stronger then for the experience they are gaining now.

"We must also continue to work on developing a layering system so that we are able to nurture and sell players on at the right time and be able to bring in a ready-made replacement for them."

Hill will be hoping to steer Dale back towards a top-seven place with a win against Accrington tomorrow (kick off 2pm), though John Coleman’s team arrive at Spotland having won their last two away games.

"I saw Accrington beat Morecambe the other night when they gave a good account of themselves," said Hill.

"They have obvious threats but we have to concentrate on doing what we do well on our home patch if we want to achieve our end goals. Those goals are still achievable and we are looking forward to the last 12 games of the season."