Rochdale 0 v Charlton Athletic 2

It was a case this weekend of 'one step forward' again as we cruised to a comfortable win at the Crown Oil Arena. Earlier goals from Chuks Anneke and Deji Oshilaja put the game to bed but we could have been out-of-sight by half-time.

Jason Pearce was back at centre-half alongside Oshilaja and their performance went some way to backing Bowyer's position that central defensive cover wasn't his January window priority. It may have helped that we had two specialist full-backs playing in the shape of Purrington and Gunter.

As if to further back Bowyer's midfield and attacking priorities, we managed to find a way in the first-half at least, to play most of the game in possession in midfield or attack. Liam Millar was having a field-day out left and Shinnie was a threat on the right. Rochdale were clearly struggling to contain Anneke and Stockley who both lead the line and kept the Dale defence at home. 

The opening goal came after seven minutes and was straightforward enough. Millar jigged into the box and slipped a through pass to Anneke who let it run, took a touch to improve his angle and then squeezed off a low shot that took a slight deflection as it careered in off the far post. He could have score again similarly but struck a post. 

The killer second goal was a testament to getting players forward. From a left wing corner, Bazunu made a fine high diving save to keep out a towering header (from Stockley I think) which struck the woodwork and was quickly laid back and chipped into the box again. Jason Pearce met it falling backwards but managed to head it back across goal and his compadre, Oshilaja, was there to apply the diverting touch to wrap things up.

After that we managed to hit the woodwork twice more and despite Rochdale coming back into the game in the second-half, the result was never in doubt. I said I fancied us to haul in some points over the next six games as our new additions settle - Jaiyesimi had a positive ten minutes at the end which bodes well for a two-winged attack with Anneke and Stockley in the air. 

My main plea this week is, can Bowyer resist the temptation to tinker with a winning side? There is a strong case for Jaiyesimi to start against Gillingham at home on Saturday but I'd go with the eleven who kicked-off at Rochdale and use Jaiyesimi to keep the midfield selection on their toes. 

We desperately need to break the cycle of conceding in the first-half at the valley and going in behind. I think if we stick with the same side, we should be able to put the Gills under pressure and avoid falling behind. That would give us a platform to from which to  get in front and be able to use our substitutes to control the match rather than chasing it, which we have had to do in the last six home games.