Browse Sections

• Rochdale FC
• Rochdale Hornets
• Local football
• Local cricket

Hill: Derby no different

26/ 4/2008

GIGG Lane is gearing up for its biggest gate of the season as arch-rivals Rochdale arrive in town this afternoon.

With Dale still chasing an automatic promotion place, Bury have ambitions of their own – to win a sixth successive home match and derail Dale’s march up the League Two table.

Dale boss Keith Hill will approach the game as any other.

"We’ve just got to treat it as another fixture because it’s of equal importance to us as any other league game we have played this season," he said. "I have to alienate myself from the fans’ thinking, because I am an employee of the club rather than a supporter.

"Similarly, the players have got to play the opposition rather than the occasion."

In truth, there is little Bury can do to take any of the gloss off Rochdale’s season.

Hill’s men have already booked their place in the play-offs and landing third spot would be a huge bonus.

Hereford’s win over Wrexham on Tuesday sent them four points clear of Dale and Stockport ahead of today’s games. County still have a game in hand – against Chester on Tuesday – but the Bulls’ look a good bet to join MK Dons and Peterborough in League One.

"At the start of the season, every manager is hoping to achieve what we have already achieved –to get a place in the play-offs.

"We have maintained our beliefs over the course of the season and we are aiming for another six points – if we get those, who knows where it can take us?

"It is just a coincidence that we happen to be playing Bury at this stage of the season."

Dale’s first-team squad enjoyed a few days rest after the win over Morecambe last Saturday.

"The rest was just what the lads needed – the reserves’ game went well on Wednesday and the lads trained well on Thursday," said Hill.

Hill’s main concern going into the derby match concerns the goalkeeping situation after Tottenham recalled on-loan youngster Jamie Button. It leaves Dale without a back-up keeper.

"It was difficult to give Jamie game time with the form Tommy Lee has been in," said Hill. "I felt it would have been unfair and unprofessional to drop him. We appreciate what Tottenham did in allowing him to join us and we fully understand their decision to recall him. It does leave us short, however."

Hill cannot bring in another goalkeeper to cover Lee and explained how the emergency loan system works.

"The only instance we can bring a goalkeeper in on the emergency loan system is if Tommy gets suspended or injured. We cannot bring someone in over a loss of form.

"Obviously we are hoping neither of those scenarios transpire, but should it occur we would certainly consider bring Jamie Button back because he showed in training what he is capable of."