The Rochdale Observer reports that (free scoring centre) Wayne McHugh and (former Don) Dean Gorton are major doubts for Hornets.

them players missing wont make any difference i predict to dons sitting on top of the league 2nite,come on you dons, i have not looked 4ward 2 watching the dons so much since corrie laurie was here

Well let's hope that's right and McHugh doesn't play ... he's good.

Yes, I'd view it as a bonus.

Be aware that Swinton have Gateshead at home ... so it's very unlikely.

FT Dons 8 Rochdale 24.

What a bizarre afternoon ... bright sunshine followed by torrential rain followed by bright sunshine ... and that's before I even mention the game.

I came away with many thoughts ... lets get the referee out of the way first ... awful in the extreme but sadly the Red Card to Jamie Bovill for leading with the elbow, never in doubt.

The result ... disappointing after last weeks heroic effort against Workington but frankly Rochdale looked the better side for long periods and I for one can't really have any complaints.

The performance ... just seemed flat compared to last week. Many of the good things from 7 days ago were either missing or weren't fully replicated. The enthusiasm didn't seem up to the same standard nor did the energy levels (linespeed in defence nowhere near last weeks level). We lacked the same level of creativity and that was reflected in the fact that having scored one try early and missed a good chance just after Rochdale had done the same minutes earlier we rarely looked like adding further scores ... indeed the only other points came from a Rochdale mistake.

One final thought which troubled me from early in the match. The club had a good idea where the oppositions tries might well come from i.e. the McHugh / Saywell combination (ultimately responsible for 3 out of todays 4 Rochdale tries) and yet all our SL-trained players Coady, Morrison and Green were defending the other flank ... but then I'm not a qualified coach to be fair.

Well what can i say, the Ref... well thats another shocking story, the linesmen again another very poor performance.

I felt our performance seemed to lack leadership or direction today, compared to last week.

Rochdale seemed to be more up for the battle today, and won the game with some easy yards. Again our discipline in certain areas let Rochdale gain easy field position.
The one right decision the ref made was the red card to Jamie it was totally clear to most people in the ground that he led with his forearm ( 2-3 match ban i think).

Lets hope this was a blip and we can hopefully get some players back from holiday and injuries, and kick on in the next game which will not be an easy one.

Dont think Stankibitch would be complaining about the ref today, but must admit his comments about the clown in the middle from a previous game were right.

Attendance 589

Very dissapointed about the way we lost todays game, after bossing the game in every position last week this week we looked amatuer all over the paddock.
Whats the point of taking Coady from Leeds if the only ball he gets is when he goes in at acting half himself.
Bovill has no complaints about getting a straight red, it was shocking, stupid and totally un-called for he should get five matches and for me should also get his D.C.M. (don't come monday)
Think having a free week next is a god send as there looked to be alot of tired bodies out there even in the first half.

The better team won today. They were better organised than us and i think they wanted it more.

Yes the ref was crap but we cant look at him for excuses for today.In the second half it looked like there was no one in charge on the field for us as we seemed to go to pot.

Thought there No.1 (apart from his error late on) was class today and we couldnt get hold of him most of the time.

Hope today is a good wake up call as we will be up against it next time out up at Haven.

I think weve had a great start to season probably better than anyone imagined so although unhappy bout losing its always going to happen what will be intresting is to see how we bounce back!

Think it's clear who most of the influential players are at dons and they weren't on the pitch today. Shocking ref but I wouldn't say that's an excuse. Hope for improvement at Whitehaven once the full team is back.