KEITH Hill has warned Rochdale to strap themselves in for a long fight to stay in League One.

Hill recently clocked up his 500th league game in management – 421 of them at the Dale helm – as they beat Peterborough.

Yet they are still precariously placed in 19th and only out of the drop zone on goal difference.

"The players' reality is that we're in a relegation fight and we're in it for the remainder of the season," said Hill.

"The outcome will depend on how good we are at fighting our opponents that are in the same position as us, or we'll drop into that position.

"I enjoy working for this football club and trying to supersede anything we've achieved before – but we've created a monster.

"We've created a monster of success at this football club and we've got to try and do it again this season."

Success for Hill will be maintaining their status in the division and a win away from Spotland would help towards that goal.

Dale eased through a potentially tricky FA Cup trip to non-League Slough on Monday but they are yet to win on their League One travels after ten attempts.

Hill is determined to keep spirits high as they make the short trip to Valley Parade, where City inflicted their biggest win of last season.

The long-serving boss said: "We've got to be positive about everything that we do and remember that this is football, so it has got to be enjoyable.

"You've got to be able to enjoy it and learn, because you learn about yourself.

"This is one of the hardest times that we've gone through during my time at the football club – but we'll come through it and we'll be stronger.

"Then when we get the good times, we'll really appreciate them.

"I've got to be a front for the players and the players have got to go through the emotional rollercoaster that will be there."