ROCHDALE boss Steve Parkin has called on his detractors to put aside personal grievances and get behind the team.

The Dale chief reiterated the importance of positive support for the team during a tough run into the new year after speaking out against a handful of fans who barracked players and management during last Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Chester.

Parkin revealed his anger had been stoked when one supporter directed strong personal abuse towards him.

“What upset me last week was when someone called out ‘Change it, you ****’. I take that kind of thing personally,” said Parkin. “I don’t mind constructive criticism if the team’s not trying, but that was personal.”

Parkin said 99 per cent of the supporters were right behind the team but, going into a run of fixtures which could determine their fate for the season, Dale need everybody on board bar none.

“The players all seem in good spirits and up for it and I just want the fans to roll with it as they have been doing and my message to that small minority – and it is only a handful, I must stress that – is to just give us a chance.

“I know I upset a few fans when I left the club last time and it might be a few of them who are having a go now. They will probably never forgive me for leaving and are venting their anger. But I think we have developed over the last 19 months into a team able to compete. We’re fourth in the table and I think we’ve shown with some of the results we’ve picked up this season that it is no fluke. Hopefully we are capable of finishing a top-seven team.”

The Dale boss feels the players deserve credit for the amount of effort and commitment they put into their performances.

“People pay their money and they are entitled to their opinion,” he said. “But if we were playing poorly, not scoring goals, not trying and sitting in the bottom three I could understand why we were being criticised – but not with some of the results and some of the performances we’ve had. Some of the criticism of the younger players – Matt Gilks for instance – is not constructive to their education.

“While they are not the most talented squad of players in the league – with no disrespect – they are a squad who give of their best every time they go onto the pitch and I don’t think the kind of criticism we took last week helps. We are trying our best. We have very restricted training facilities which is taking its toll in the bad weather. We have stiff competition from all the teams around us in the league – Wycombe, Northampton, Grimsby, Chester – who have been able to spend money and bring in big squads. We have not had that facility.

“So I feel we are doing fine as a group and we are approaching the most critical part of our season, playing all the top teams almost week after week from now until early January. Also in there is a local derby against Bury. They are all going to be difficult games and most against clubs with bigger squads than ours.

“What we need is everybody’s support. From the chairman down to the washlady. Every fan who walks through those gates over the next few weeks we need right behind us so we can give it a real go. Starting with Chester last week, Shrewsbury today and then Grimsby, Wycombe, Orient, Wrexham Bury and Carlisle – this could be a really exciting time for the club.”

Parkin said the contribution from supporters so far had played a significant role in lifting Dale towards the top of the table

“Nobody has been more delighted than me with our supporters,” said Parkin.

“Away from home they have been absolutely exceptional, including the group which went down to Tranmere on a freezing cold night this week. They have been fantastic.

“The home support has gradually got going, too, and there are more and more coming through the gates which is great.”

And he strongly refutes any arguments suggesting the team do not entertain.

“We look like scoring goals in every game we play,” he said. “We didn’t score against Brentford in the FA Cup – a team in the top four of League One – but in the second half we did everything but score!

“We look like a team capable of scoring against anyone we play and sooner or later in the season we are going to need those goals. If we can keep that up – regardless of what team I pick – then we always have a chance of winning games and staying where we are in the table.”

ROCHDALE fans wishing to check whether any matches are in doubt due to the wintry conditions are asked to telephone the club for latest news on 0870 822 1907. Alternatively, all up-to-date news will be posted on the club’s official website.

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