Match Report: Rochdale 1-4 Milton Keynes
Tuesday, 9th Feb 2021 21:18 by Chaff

Another awful performance, another awful result, another defeat at home, another miserable match report. One win at home in 18 games.

After a disappointing performance and result on Saturday at home to Charlton Athletic, Dale were back in action at Spotland with one of those proverbial 6 pointers as Dale took on Milton Keynes. Not only desperate for the three points but desperate to improve on the appalling home form that has seen us win just one game in 17 games.

The team news had Dale fans scratching their heads as McLaughlin was left on the bench along with Keohane while Matt Done came in and Conor Shaughnessy came in to make his Dale debut. I couldn't tell if this meant a 4-4-2 with Rathbone wide left and Lund up front or a 4-3-3 with Lund in midfield and Rathbone and Newby either side of Humphrys. We'd have to wait and see how we lined up I guess.

Tonight's team 👊

Conor Shaughnessy makes his Dale debut, whilst Alex Newby and Matty Done return to the starting eleven ✅#RAFC

— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) February 9, 2021

Special mention to the ground staff who have got the game on despite the freezing temperatures putting the game at risk. At least the frost covers are reliable, unlike the Dale defence! Get the orange ball out!

There was a minutes silence for former manager Tony Collins who passed away this week. He led the club to our only ever domestic final and will be sadly missed by all at the club and all who support the club.

Milton Keynes got us under way shooting towards the Sandy and straight from kickoff, Humphrys chased down the ball back to the keeper and almost forced the error.

You can't say Dale aren't consistent, we're consistently shite at home. With just 4 minutes gone, Dale were behind. A seemingly lost cause was well chased down by the visitors on the Dale touchline and pulled back to O'Reilly who curled one into the far corner from more than 20 yards. Without wanting to sound harsh, Bazunu has to do better for me but maybe that's harsh but regardless, another soft goal and we're 1-0 down early doors again!

Humphrys broke forward and went down and while I thought there may have been a nudge, the freekick was given against Humphrys for diving! He was not happy.

The Dale number 9 had a glorious chance then when the MK keeper passed it straight to him and where you would want him to be able to get a shot away, he couldn't get the ball under control in time to hit it into the empty net and the chance was gone.

Dale should have been level on 18 minutes when a fantastic ball in from Matty Done missed Newby but Lund managed to get on the end of it and force Fisher into the save. A great chance to get back into it for Dale.

As we usually see, Dale were better after going behind early doors but I've no idea how anyone can expect us to stay up when we constantly give the opposition a headstart.

With 23 minutes gone, Cameron got the other side of Osho and lashed a shot over the bar from 18 yards.

Just a couple of minutes later a good ball over found Lund who didn't connect properly but still forced Fisher into the save.

The snow kept falling and while the commentary team were moaning about being cold and getting snowed on, I'd have given everything to have been able to be there freezing my tits off, I'm sure many of us would.

Gavin Bazunu was called into action on 27 minutes whe he had to tip an effort over the bar that was hit from the half way line. The resulting corner saw Fraser volley an effort over the bar as well.

Eoghan O'Connell was a surprise inclusion on Saturday as he'd come back from injury a lot earlier than we expected and maybe it was too early as he was forced off with an injury on 36 minutes with Keohane replacing him and going to right back while Osho moved central.

Dale went on the attack and Lund fed in Humphrys who had burst through but he pulled his shot disappointly wide of the post when he really should have done better.

GET IN THERE! Dale were level! All you need is Lund! A great break from Rathbone who fed in Humphrys who put in a lovely cross to Lund who couldn't really miss. Dale were level at 1-1 thanks to Lund's 12th goal of the season!

What a chance!! Newby has to score. Another mistake from Milton Keynes allows Newby one on one with the keeper who did brilliantly to stop the Dale number 10. Humphrys wasn't happy he didn't square it. The corner saw Osho head wide as Dale went looking for more goals.

Oh bollocks, Milton Keynes had the ball in the net! Or was it. Laird it was who finished it I thought but thankfully, despite the referee not giving it, the flag went up and the goal was ruled out. Incredibly lucky for Dale!

The half time whistle blew and Dale went in level at 1-1 after giving away another simple early goal.

Humphrys got the second half under way for Dale. A game we really need to win and going off the first half and the chances we created, we had a great chance.

Well there's something I didn't know, Shaughnessy has a rather long throw! Lets hope we can make the most of it!

Dale gave away a corner after MK counter attacked and from the corner, Dale were back behind. The corner came in, Cameron Jerome rattled the bar with the header and the ball rebounded the Jules who nodded the ball past Bazunu who was still on the floor from the dive. Dale were 2-1 down on 54 minutes

Game over. Milton Keynes were 3-1 up just four minutes later. A ridiculous loss of possession from Aaron Morley allowed the visitor to break through Fraser who then blasted it past Bazunu.

One win in 18 games at Spotland.

Aaron Morley, whose mistake obviously wasn't enough to piss us all off then decided to shoot from kick off and scuffed it low. Jesus wept.

Dale were getting torn apart now and 3-1 became 4-1 just three minutes later. Grigg on the left crossed to Jerome who was left with a tap in. We've absolutely capitulated. Conceded 3 goals in 7 minutes.

Lund was booked for a nasty looking challenge which was obviously just him showing his frustration. His 9th yellow of the season.

It's taking me all my effort not to turn this off to put the Manchester United game on. Especially given i've got money on Craig Dawson to score.

Kwadwo Baah came on for Aaron Morley but what difference was it going to make now?

With 71 minutes gone, Will Grigg wasted a great chance. Bazunu came racing out, got nowhere, Grigg put the ball wide with all the net to aim for. This is getting harder and harder to write.

A load of subs came off but I wasn't really watching, I think Vale, McLaughlin and Grant came on but I only really noticed Humprhys going off.

Kwadwo Baah went close on 84 minutes after a rare, jinking run and his curling effort went just wide of the far post.

More shocking defending allowed MK in but Bazunu pulled off a very good save.

Final whistle went and I'm genuinely struggling for words. The vultures are circling.

How the hell do we come back from that?

Serious questions are now being asked from people who were fully supportive of the manager pretty much until tonight.

PLAYER RATINGS:

Gavin Bazunu- 4 (Should do better with the first and came racing out stupidly and almost cost a goal)

Gabriel Osho — 4 (Did ok first half, poor second half)

Eoghan O'Connell - 5 (Went off injured first half)

Haydon Roberts - 4 (Not seeing that early season form are we)

MATT DONE - 6 (Our man of the match I thought but lets face it, nobody really deserves it)