Hill urges Dale to fight on
Rochdale boss Keith Hill has challenged his squad to 'over-achieve' yet again this season as the League Two side prepare for their opening game at Port Vale a week on Saturday.
Hill, who has guided the club to the play-offs in his two full seasons in charge, is adamant that any a similar achievement will prove to be a tough task.
Speaking to the Rochdale Observer, he said: "The level of expectation is something we can't control. We've done well over the last couple of seasons, and we will be expected to be able to compete again.
"I don't think we are competing on a level playing field with some of the teams in this division when it comes to spending.
"That means we need to over-achieve. We've got to punch above our weight on an individual and a collective basis."
Hill has a tight budget and is working with just 18 players and to make the task more difficult, key defender Rory McArdle will be missing for the first month of the new campaign with a dislocated shoulder.
Updated 30/07/2009 12:30:45
Hill, who has guided the club to the play-offs in his two full seasons in charge, is adamant that any a similar achievement will prove to be a tough task.
Speaking to the Rochdale Observer, he said: "The level of expectation is something we can't control. We've done well over the last couple of seasons, and we will be expected to be able to compete again.
"I don't think we are competing on a level playing field with some of the teams in this division when it comes to spending.
"That means we need to over-achieve. We've got to punch above our weight on an individual and a collective basis."
Hill has a tight budget and is working with just 18 players and to make the task more difficult, key defender Rory McArdle will be missing for the first month of the new campaign with a dislocated shoulder.
Updated 30/07/2009 12:30:45
Digital Sports Group