Keith Hill disappointed with Dale’s ‘lack of discipline’



Posted Sunday, April 29, 2018 by PA

Keith Hill disappointed with Dale’s ‘lack of discipline’

Rochdale manager Keith Hill was left cursing his team’s “lack of discipline” as they squandered a second-half lead by conceding two penalties at Oxford to slip back into danger.

Callum Camps was the guilty man on both occasions, bringing down Joe Rothwell after 62 minutes and then substitute Rob Hall six minutes from time.

U’s skipper John Mousinho converted the first spot-kick to equalise and fellow defender Todd Kane then stepped up to take the second one, and also buried it.

Defeat sent Dale back into the bottom four and their survival hopes largely depend on them doing better at home to Charlton on the final day than Oldham do at Northampton.

“We were in control of our own destiny at 1-0 up,” Hill said. “I was disappointed with the lack of discipline my players showed.

“It’s about taking responsibility when you the lead. The game’s not won at that stage and we celebrated too soon. Straight away they went down the other end of the pitch and won the penalty. We weren’t focused enough.

“I wouldn’t want to lambaste Callum (Camps) but he knows, and everyone knows, they are challenges he doesn’t need to make.

“It’s very disappointing because we never should be in this situation.

“The lads had done so well to get themselves out of the relegation places and we have thrown it away.

“We’ve thrown it away with a lack of discipline and it’s now out of our hands. We’re in the hands of Northampton next week really.”

It had looked so good for Dale when Darren Inman fired them in front in the 59th minute.

Yet Oxford fought back and had two defenders to thank for putting away the crucial penalties to see them move eight points above the drop zone.

“I suppose that does tell its own story when your defenders are the ones taking the penalties,” said Oxford head coach Karl Robinson, who only took over last month.

“Mousinho has taken penalties in big games throughout his career, so I wasn’t concerned, and Kane has been practising his finishing all week.

“We looked a different team when Rob Hall and Malachi Napa came on. It’s all very well playing pretty passes, but it’s people who run with the ball who cause problems.

“When we were 1-0 down there was some worry from the players because they could see the dangers, as we’ve got to go to Blackburn for our final game.

“But there has been a calm around the place from the coaching staff and I think that has helped – and the players and the fans have delivered.

“We have achieved a lot in the last month and I’ve seen what winning means to the people of Oxford and surrounding areas.

“If we can now win at Blackburn that would take us up to 59 points and take us up to 13th – which is a great place to be.”

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