Rochdale 2 v Charlton Athletic 0

Eleven games now without a win and a first ever league defeat to Rochdale in front of 2,589 fans (that's in total, not visiting numbers). When will it ever end?


From what I could glean from the commentary this evening, it was a better performance but we went one-down before the break to a low volley from 20 yards and we couldn't create an equaliser despite stepping it up in the second-half after Benson came on for the limping Anyinsah. We also couldn't prevent a Rochdale second against the run of play after 75 minutes which finished it as a contest.


It's very hard to understand how we break the current cycle but Powell simply has to do something or we will slide in for an ignominious finish. Our recent points sequence has to be looked at long and hard.

0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0

We have eight matches left and will need more than three or four more points. However you look at it, there is only one common denominator since Chris Powell arrived and it's very hard not to imagine that something has gone very wrong in the dressing room. Slater and Jimenez may be holding their nerve but they are going to begin to feel the heat if Powell can't get a winning 90 minute performance soon. This is a results-orientated business and we simply aren't getting any.


Things could get bumpy at the Valley for all concerned on Saturday if we manage a repeat performance from the Leyton Orient fixture at the Valley last season when they gained revenge for our win at Brisbane Road. After that it's Southampton and Oldham away before second-placed Huddersfield arrive in SE7. It's not looking good and if Chris Powell can't get the win on Saturday, my guess is he could yet be replaced before the season ends. We cannot afford another humiliating relegation. We are fast becoming a laughing stock and it hurts.