Rochdale's poor run stretched to just one win in eleven games as they could only come away from the Kassam with a point. Full match report and player ratings are online now.

Rochdale hit the road again with a trip south to the Kassam Stadium as we took on Brian Talbot's Oxford United.

There were several new faces on view for Rochdale as all of the new players were in the starting line up as the new look Dale aimed to get back up the league after a horrendous run of just one win in ten games.  All Rochdale could manage was another draw and in fairness it was another poor performance.

I'd predicted that Parkin would go with a 4-3-3 before the game despite mine, and probably 99% of Dale fans' wishes for him to stick with 4-4-2.  I was right unfortunately and Dale lined up with Gilks, Ramsden, Griffiths, Jackson, Goodall, Brisco, Doolan, Cooksey, Dagnall, Lambert and Christie.  Goodness knows what Brisco does in training to get into the team but come match day, he never fails to disappoint.

Rochdale started off the game fairly well and looked to attack a poor looking Oxford side.  Rickie Lambert went close with a shot that just missed the target after some great work by Christie to set him up and he also had a free kick early on.  The usual calls of "He's due one" were heard and no doubt they'll be heard next time he has a free kick because it was a poor effort that the keeper dealt with easily.

Chris Dagnall should have put Rochdale ahead with around ten minutes gone after he was put through on goal but his effort was very poor and his lob sailed over the crossbar.  A great chance to take the lead and one that should have been taken.

With just less than twenty minutes gone, Oxford took the lead and it was down to more poor defending, something that has been the cause of about 90% of goals conceded this season.  Dale failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Jon Ashton on the penalty spot who hit a first time shot into the top corner to make it 1-0.

It was painfully obvious that the 4-3-3 wasn't working and it soon changed to a 4-4-2 with Chris Dagnall moving out wide on the right.  He was having to do Brisco's job for him on far too many occasions as well it has to be said!  Brisco wasn't having a particularly good game and although he did certain things right, you could pretty much guarantee it would be followed up by something embarrassingly poor.  At one stage, he made a good tackle to win the ball and one messageboard regular said "Wait for it!" and low and behold, he lost possession by passing the ball out of play with the player he was aiming for about ten yards away.

With the half almost over, Rochdale got back into the game and made it 1-1.  A lovely link up between Lambert and Christie resulted in Linford getting to the goal line and having to hold onto the ball for what seemed like ages for some support to arrive.  He spotted Ernie Cooksey running in at the back post and swung a belting cross over to him and Ernie headed goalwards.  The ball looked like it was going to be safe but Tardiff made a mess of it and it ended up in the back of the net.

The second half started off poorly for Rochdale as they lost one of the new boys to injury.  Mark Jackson had been our best defender up to this point and he went in for a tackle and immediately signalled over to the bench to suggest he couldn't continue.  He looked to be in severe pain and was carried off and replaced by Rory McArdle.  We've heard since that the damage is to his ankle ligaments and that he could well be out for over a month.

Oxford looked to take advantage of the change and Basham went close for the home side, forcing Gilks into a good save to keep the scores level.

The Legend Tony Gallimore came on for Ernie Cooksey who had been very poor overall and Goodall moved into midfield with Daggers pushing forward again and it nearly worked as Daggers had another glorious chance to score late on.  He got a shot away from the edge of the box but it flew agonisingly wide.

With stoppage time being played, Rochdale should have won it.  Daggers again the culprit as he fannied about with the ball and couldn't get a shot away after being put in by Rickie Lambert who in all honesty should have had a pop himself.

It just wasn't to be for Rochdale and they had to make do with a point but overall, it was a poor game with two poor teams on show.

Player Ratings:

Matt Gilks 6 Did well today Gilks, no real chance with the goal but was forever shouting and looked more confident

Simon Ramsden 6 Unimpressive debut.  Sure he'll be a good asset but he looked off the pace today and got skinned a few times although his crossing was good on the whole.  Played well for the last 10 minutes but poor for the other 80

Alan Goodall 5 Poor game for Goodall, his passing was poor and he just didn't look impressive like he usually does

Gareth Griffiths 5 He took a knock early on and he struggled from then on.

Mark Jackson 7 Our best defender by far and looked very good.  Just our bloody luck that he went off injured with what looked like an injury that could see him out for a while!

Neil Brisco 5 Sorry, not good enough.  He did a few things right but when he did, it was always followed by something truly awful

John Doolan 7 Did well again.  Some passes went astray but he looked to create and looked decent

Ernie Cooksey 5 Poor despite the goal.  He's looked poor for a couple of weeks now and I'd look to drop him

Chris Dagnall 6 The term headless chicken springs to mind.  Had several excellent chances and just couldn't convert them

Rickie Lambert 7 Did quite well after a slow start and created a fair few chances

IYESDEN CHRISTIE 8 Excellent debut for Linford.  He caused lots of problems and set up Cooksey's goal superbly

Subs:  

Rory McArdle 7 On for the injured Jackson and did well when he was on

Tony Gallimore 7 Added class to the defence when he came on

Photo: Action Images

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