Dale slipped back into routine once again at home to Rushden, crashing to another defeat. Hopes that the bad run was over were dismissed as Duane Darby sealed the win for the visitors with a goal in the second half.

Things are going horribly wrong. What has happened to our beloved Rochdale. For the first 15 minutes or so it seemed as though they were back to normal. Fluid football, good link up play and half chances being created. Then suddenly it all stopped, and we reverted to the form that has seen us now pick up 1 point out of a possible 18. Not good enough, is it really!?

Dale stuck with the same side once again for the visit of Rushden. Evil was once again wasted on the right wing. Rumours going round at the moment concerning him, don't sound too promising, and it seems it may hold the reason as to why he is starting every game lately.

Dale started on fire, it seemed as though the troubles were over. It lasted about 15 minutes. McEvilly had the best chance when he flew in for a header but didn't get enough contact on it when he really should have done better.

Rushden then took the game by the scruff of the neck and started to knock the ball around well, always looking dangerous going forward, though they were not a patch on the team that beat us in the play-offs last season anyway.

Neil Edwards was forced into even more great saves, and once again it has to be said that he kept us in the game. Most pleasing sight of the half though was Onandi Lowe finally getting booked for diving, what a cheat he is!

Dale came very close to taking the lead towards the end of the first half. A free kick was awarded 5 yards outside the box. The Rushden wall would not retreat when it was taken, and the referee ordered a retake. The ball was moved forward to the edge of the box, and Simmo struck the woodwork, it fell to Flitcroft on the right of the area, and he skied the ball over the Sandy Lane!

The second half was somewhat indifferent, and neither side really looked capable of grabbing a goal. Well until the linesman stepped in that is. A scramble in the Dale box (yet another bloody goal conceded this way) and the ball was hit by Beech against a Rushden player, it ended going through to Darby who was a good two yards offside who toe poked past Taffy. Surely offside?! Not given, Rushden win.

Dale attempted in vain to get a goal back. A long range drive from Flitcroft was saved superbly by Dale's new hero Billy Turley in the Rushden goal. Rushden were resilient, Dale lacking in ideas as usual. A late drive in injury time went close but it wouldn't go in.

Another poor display it has to be said. First 15 minutes it seemed like we were making progress, but quite why it went to pot as usual is unclear. The players suddenly stopped playing and let Rushden into the game. Is this to be the last straw for Simmo, or will he be given time to turn things around? Its certainly getting worse before it gets better anyway.

No fight, no commitment, the manager has apparently 'lost' the dressing room. No going back from there if he has. We are better than this, we know damn well we are. We have gone from a decent side to a poor side in a couple of months, like it or not. The future does not look pretty right now for Dale.

Photo: Action Images

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