Flying Dale have a spring in their step

KEITH HILL

FOUR wins from their last five fixtures have kept Rochdale alive and kicking in Sky Bet League One for another season.

Keith Hill’s side could hardly be entering this weekend’s derby in higher spirits, following on from a comprehensive 3-0 home drubbing of Bury last time out. Saturday is Hill’s 400th game in charge of Dale, across two spells split by a stint at Barnsley - quite a record for any lower-league boss.

The way his side is playing now, scoring plenty and keeping them out at the other end, Hill will be confident of further adding to the club’s 51 points so far.

“I have a lot of respect for Oldham and John Sheridan and I hope they retain their League One status. But we are focused on this game and getting as many points as we can.”

Athletic will need to watch out for ex-Bournemouth winger Donal McDermott on Saturday, after the 26-year-old put Bury to the sword with a sparkling performance described by Hill as “unplayable” during the first half.