Coyle Pleased With Rochdale Draw

Posted: Saturday 24th July 2010

Tags: Rochdale, Owen Coyle

Owen Coyle admitted he was pleased with his Bolton side after they drew 1-1 with Rochdale at Spotland.

Robbie Blake opened the scoring from the penalty spot late in the first half, only for Dale's Chris O'Grady to equalise six minutes from time.

Despite that late equaliser, Coyle was happy with the way his side handled themselves after only arriving back in England on Friday.

"Considering the players stepped off the plane yesterday after two flights back from Canada and America then I was pleased with the exercise," Coyle told the club's official website.

"Taking all that travelling into account, they worked hard and it was a good opportunity for the boys that needed a game because we left five or six big names in the stand today.

"Naturally I was disappointed to lose a goal but fair play to Rochdale because they played very well. It's another step on the route to fitness for us which is what pre-season is all about.

"It's now important over the next week that we speed up our rate of passing, in terms of movement, and sharpen everything up."

The Wanderers players will now take Sunday off to recover and return to training on Monday morning when they will prepare for Wednesday's trip to Oldham Athletic.