No easy ride, insists Hill

ROCHDALE may have hit their halfway target with three games to spare – but Keith Hill will ensure there is no resting on laurels at Spotland.

The Dale chief and his players agreed ahead of the season that a haul of 30 points from the opening 23 Sky Bet League One games and progression to the third round of the FA Cup were their aims.

Hill's men have achieved both with three league games to spare.

But Hill said that counts for little in the modern game and he will be expected to continue picking up points, starting tomorrow when Notts County come to Spotland.

“We can’t look at the next three fixtures as free hits because there is great scrutiny in the modern game on success and failure in terms of the management of a club,” he said.

“It’s game-to-game success or game-to-game failure.

“So if I was to lose the next three games, people would be questioning my ability.

“People believe in a manager only when he’s winning games and I am very mindful of that.

Jack O'Connell, who was not granted permission to play in the midweek FA Cup win against Aldershot by parent club Blackburn, is expected to return to tomorrow’s starting line-up, with Oliver Lancashire making way for him.