Rochdale: John Coleman says home form is hurting crowds

John Coleman believes Rochdale fans are staying away from Spotland because of the League Two club's poor home form.

Dale have won two of their eight league games and exited all three cup competitions at home, including the FA Cup against Morecambe in midweek.

"Personally, I feel for the fans," boss Coleman told BBC Radio Manchester.

"I empathise with the fact that they're paying their hard-earned money to watch what I can only describe as dross on Tuesday night. We were dreadful."

When asked if his side's home displays were affecting crowds, Coleman added: "Yes, without a doubt it has.

"At the start of the season, I was very bullish because I thought we were playing well at home.

"I thought we were smashing against Barnsley [in the Capital One Cup] and I thought we were smashing against Northampton [on the opening day of the League Two season] but it seems to have gone downhill from there.

"The message is that we're going to work even harder.

"The only way we're going to improve is by hard work, and if people aren't up for that hard work, they can go somewhere else."

Only leaders Gillingham have a better record on the road in League Two than Rochdale, who have won five of their nine matches away from home.

Their away results have been enough to keep Dale in the top seven and they will be looking to strengthen their position in the play-off positions with victory against Bristol Rovers at Spotland on Saturday.