THE kind of performance that gets managers sacked – that was Keith Hill’s damning verdict on Rochdale’s performance following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Dagenham and Redbridge, writes Richard Partington.

Dale were barely recognisable in what was a shocking display – comfortably the team’s worst under Hill.

"I cannot defend the performance and I am so disappointed," said the Dale boss. "There was some criticism from the crowd and I fully understand it – I have to accept it and the players have to accept it. It’s a lonely place to be on the touchline when you perform like that as a team. You have to accept the criticism levelled at me and the players and only the strong will survive – that’s not just me, it is the players as well, and they have got to be stronger than that and the performance has got to be stronger.  It was the worst performance in the 79 league games we have been in charge. I said to the lads if that display was on the back of a bad run of results it was a sackable performance in any managers life. From my point of view, fortunately, our record has been exemplary so I am not expecting the sack at this moment."

The visitors were a competent, hard-working side but the game was more about Dale’s failure to turn up according to Hill.

"Dagenham were good, but I think you have to talk about Rochdale and how bad we were," he said. "It would have been a fair and even contest had we turned up, but we didn’t turn up, and that’s everyone from number one through to number 30. Every player made bad decisions, it was a very indecisive display and we didn’t have any cohesion. I’m stunned. You don’t see that type of performance coming. It’s probably a new chapter in my management career because we haven’t had too many performances like that. We may have had one or two first-half performances like it, but we haven’t had a 90-minute performance like it. It’s a real concern and maybe it is time for a change."

To that end, Dale had been linked with a move for Tranmere’s Charlie Barnett during the build up to Tuesday’s Johnstone Paints Trophy clash against Carlisle. However, Hill dismissed that rumour and insisted the current squad would get the opportunity to bounce back from the loss.

"There are two ways of changing it," said Hill. "Either we all change it together or I change it by bringing in new personnel. In 79 league games we have gone unbeaten in 60 – these players deserve credit for that and their performances over the course of the next few games will indicate which way we go. The weight of expectancy from myself, the board and the fans means performances like Saturday’s will not be accepted. But Saturday’s game goes in the recycle bin now."