An absolute shambles. I think that best describes tonight's pathetic attempt at gaining any sort of positive result at Lincoln. Dale crashed 2-0 at a very poor Lincoln side. Full report now online.

The performance all round was simply unacceptable. Things are going to have to change and quickly. Dale were outplayed and out-fought by a side deemed by many as favourites for relegation to the conference.

Dale started once again with the same team that was so poor against Orient. Why this was done, god knows! Once again Dale managed to create very little in front of goal, and really Lincoln were on top for much of the game.

The first half was pretty much a non-event, with both sides cancelling each other out. Lincoln went closest when a header was blocked on the line by Paul Simpson. At the other end Kev Townson had a couple of poor attempts, all off target.

The second half saw Lincoln come out on top and they took the lead when Paul Simpson stupidly lost the ball in midfield. Simon Yeo broke down the left before firing a powerful drive across Neil Edwards and off the inside of the post and into the back of the net.

Dale just couldn't get into the game at all. Kev Townson managed our only shot on target when he was sent through on goal but his shot went straight at the keeper who parried it away.

Not soon later and Lincoln added another soon after when Dean Cropper headed in at the far post after somewhat of a scramble in the Dale box.

Lee Hodges was sacrificed in place of Paul Connor, as Dale went to a 4-3-3 formation, but it just didn't work. In fact nothing is working at the moment. The tactics are wrong, the way we are playing is wrong, just the whole feel about the team is wrong.

Things need to change and now. I'm sorry to say this but Paul Simpson being a player-manager is not going to work. He either has to play or he has to manage. He can not do both, the team is suffering because of it.

Can someone also please explain to me, why every team we play are always fitter, faster and more up for winning the game? We still going to be blaming training facilities for this?

Who also has made it clear that we are to play long balls to our 5 foot tall centre forward? Its just stupidity. We have brought in supposedly one of the most gifted players in the division in Lee Hodges, yet as far as I am concerned he offers NOTHING to the team at the moment.

We are constantly getting ran ragged at the back. Matt Doughty for all his trying is a better winger than defender, and the rest of the defence is basically too slow. The midfield is creating nothing, as most of the time it is being bypassed.

We have Dave Flitcroft playing his heart out for us in midfield, tonight he was our best player. He won the ball, gave it to Hodges or Simmo, who then lost it. What bloody good is that?! Up front Platt tries his hardest to hold onto the ball, but when there are no midfield runners for him to give it to, what is he supposed to do!?

For all the arguments that Kev Townson is our best striker, he should not be starting a game. He has completely lost his pace, and just isn't strong enough. Connor MUST start on Saturday. Changes must be made. We stick with the same team again, we will lost again. Over to you Mr Simpson.

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