Hill post-Rochdale (H)

Keith Hill provided his reaction to iFollow Iron after Saturday's 2-1 loss to Rochdale.

Hill began by reflecting on the performance, saying: “I’m deeply disappointed with the second half display. I think I got asked a question by supporters leaving about what happened at half-time and it was positive at half-time, positive with the way we played, there were positive messages to keep controlling the opponents in and out of possession which I thought we did really well (earlier on).

“I do believe that possession gives you a certain amount of control and enjoyment in football. Irrespective of what the opponents did in the second half, we didn’t do enough and that’s why we’ve lost the game. I must admit I’m deeply disappointed with the second goal and the non-decision from the officials. You have four officials who can all blatantly see that there’s been a foul committed and for nobody to actually flag it up is beyond me.

“I think it’s too easy for the official to make a wrong call against us because they know we’re bottom of the league and there are no real consequences to it because the footballing world expects us to get relegated. It’s an easy decision for officials to make when they come here now to award goal scoring opportunities, non-free-kicks to the opponents and I don’t like it."

He went on to further analyse the performance, adding: “The two halves were so contrasting to me and it’s very frustrating. It’s equally as frustrating for the fans and the players as well because it is still 11 against 11. They changed their shape slightly from the first half to the second half, but it’s still the same number of outfield players playing.

“We didn’t deal with the ball as well as we did in the first half. I was pleased then with the control that I’m talking about and the way we played but it’s a results business and we’ve lost another game and I’m deeply disappointed because the players are working really hard.

“When we are losing games in the second half like we were today and have been in the past, it’s difficult from a psychological point of view and confidence point of view for the players to turn that around without going in their shell. I think we saw a bit of that today."

Ahead of the game on Tuesday against Northampton, he said: “They’re all big games and big important games at this moment in time. It’s difficult to accept but we have to raise our performances individually and collectively. We have to try and breed confidence into the players and try and get a response out of the players."

Hill added that Sam Burns was brought off on the 50 minute mark because of his calf. "We have to be cautious with him," he said.

See much more from Keith Hill and Mason O'Malley on iFollow Iron.