Hill salutes Dale for not dropping off after FA Cup heroics

Posted Thursday, February 22, 2018 by PA

Rochdale manager Keith Hill praised his side’s efforts after they drew 0-0 against fellow League One strugglers MK Dons at the Crown Oil Arena.

Following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the FA Cup Hill felt his players were a bit flat and it showed in their performance.

Hill said: “I thought the lads were magnificent to a certain degree, because, when you’re mentally and physically tired, concentration levels are affected.

“The easiest thing for me to do would have been to change six, seven or eight players, but then I would have been criticised for that.

“I thought the players were very, very good for the large percentage of the first half.

“In the second half they tried their best to show the energy and the intelligence that we need and we kept a clean sheet.

“We didn’t lose the game which is real positive from my point of view. We’ve lacked concentration going into the depths of other games but we kept our composure and we kept a deserved clean sheet.”

Rochdale were twice denied by the woodwork, first via a mis-kick from Dons defender Scott Wootton and then a fierce drive from Andy Cannon.

There was a rare threat from the Dons midway through the second half when Kieran Agard seized upon a loose ball in a crowded penalty area following a corner.

With his back to goal he turned and blasted towards the roof of Josh Lillis’ net, but Mark Kitching was superbly positioned to block the effort and protect his goalkeeper.

MK Dons manager Dan Micciche said: “I thought Rochdale started the game well, which I was expecting off the back of Sunday’s fantastic result for them.

“But once we weathered that storm I thought we looked big and strong, I liked the shape of our team.

“We had to change the shape of our midfield again today because of players missing, but the players have taken on board the information we gave them over the last 48 hours and credit to them.

“You wouldn’t think I am renowned for my attacking play off the back of my record since coming to the club, but I am confident it is going to click at some point.

“I am confident that now we have built a solid base, with the players we have coming back in, I feel they are only going to add to our attacking threat.”