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Play-off position assured

by Richard Partington
22/ 4/2008

A remarkable achievement – that was Keith Hill’s verdict after Rochdale sealed their place in the play-offs with victory over Morecambe.

Dale, fourth in League Two following Saturday’s 1-0 win at Spotland, stood one point behind third-place Hereford who were scheduled to play Wrexham last night.

With automatic promotion still a possibility, manager Hill and his squad go into this weekend’s derby at Bury with everything still to play for. But reflecting on the guaranteed top-seven finish, the Dale boss insisted his squad had performed superbly to defy the odds.

"From a personal point of view I find it difficult to celebrate and acknowledge achievement because I am stimulated by improvement and striving towards that," he said. "But in relative terms, finishing in a play-off position is a tremendous achievement for this club. The worst we can finish now is seventh, and at best we can still finish third. It’s a remarkable feat when you consider that, in terms of budget and attendances, we are 15th in the table. We have also defied the bookmakers’ odds, because they had us finishing 11th. So it’s a massive thing for the football club.

"We started the season with a lot of injuries and had a run of poor results in February. But through it all we stuck to our beliefs, came out of it the other side and now who knows where our season will end? "This opportunity may never come again, so we have got to make the most of it. We have now got the points on the board to be secure in the top seven but going up automatically is also within our sights. It would be a real bonus but it is a bonus that we are after. These lads do want the season to end on 3 May so while it is still achievable that will be our aim. If we can chase down that third spot we want it."

On Saturday, Rene Howe’s goal was enough to earn Dale their seventh win from the last eight games. With Hereford and Stockport losing, the race for third place is still very much on, adding extra spice to the forthcoming derby clash at Gigg Lane.

"I know the supporters are ready for Saturday’s game and we will be too," said Hill. "The Bury chairman has said as long as they beat Rochdale three times in a season, they will be happy. Alan Knill has done a good job there and they will be a strong team in this division next season, so it will be a hard game, derby fixtures always are."

The Dale squad have enjoyed a well-earned few days rest since the weekend but will be back in on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

"The players need mental rest as well as physical rest. they have worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks and now is the time to recharge batteries, get away from each other for a few days and enjoy a change of scenery," said Hill.

Taking a break is not so easy for the management team.

"It’s difficult these days with the mobile phone always by your side," said Hill. "You are constantly thinking of ways to move the club forward and improve what you are doing. We are already thinking about pre-season games and tours, so I would say it never stops for managers."