Dale took on Scarboro for the second time in a matter of days, and produced a very poor performance. Dale got exactly what they deserved out of this poor showing in a game more suited to non league than Division Three.

Dale took on Scarboro for the second time in a matter of days, and produced a very poor performance. Dale got exactly what they deserved out of this poor showing in a game more suited to non league than Division Three.

Dale produced a dismal performance that was by far the worst of the season. This really was a dreadful display and Dale got exactly what they deserved - nothing. They started with De Souza returning with Stuart taking Gary Jones' place in midfield. Dale dropped their recent 5-3-2 formation of late with Farrell being pushed into midfield.

The first half was disappointing. Dale produced a series of corners, without really threatening. We had 2 good chances where the ball was cleared off the line. The first was off a Stuart shot which looked in before rebounding out, and the other came from a cross which seemed to hit De Souza and bounce goal ward, though this again was knocked off the line. Scarboro had some isolated attacks, but never got close to scoring.

The second half was an utter disgrace. Dale had their first attempt of the half in injury time, when a weak Mark Monington shot rolled towards the keeper. This was their only effort of the half. We never looked like scoring at all, and it always seemed likely that Scarboro would get one on the break. This happened with a little over a quarter of an hour to go, when a defensive scramble was forced in, leaving Neil Edwards requiring treatment. Diaz and new signing Holt were brought on to little effect. It never looked like Dale would grab an equaliser, and many fans were hoping for the final whistle to be put out of their misery.

On Saturday, when Diaz was brought on, we terrified Scarboro as we pegged them back as they had no answer to his runs down the wing. So why did he not take any part till the last 15 minutes? Farrell has always had his best games for Dale when he plays in defence. As a midfielder, he has struggled, and looked completely out of his depth tonight. Miquel De Souza looked completely disinterested throughout the entire match. He did not appear bothered in the slightest, and his temporary move must not be made a permanent one. He looked very bright in his first couple of games. If he plays like this whilst on loan, god knows what he would be like with a secured contract. Let's send him back before falling into the Paul Williams trap.

The pressure is right back on Graham Barrow now. The good run has now descended into two draws and a defeat in the last three games.

On a different note, for the second successive Tuesday, there were plenty of scouts at tonights match. There were scouts present from Blackburn, both Sheffield clubs, Notts Forest, Stockport County amongst others. One could only assume that Neil Edwards is the watched man, as there was very little else of quality on show this evening.

Dale: Edwards, Williams(Bailey), Sparrow, Hill, Monington, Farrell, Stuart, Painter, De Souza(Holt), Bryson (Diaz), Peake.

Photo: Action Images

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