Jim Bentley wants his players to rise to the challenge of facing a promotion contender this weekend.
Dale welcome fourth-placed Carlisle United, who are just one point off the automatic promotion spots in Sky Bet League Two.
The gaffer says his side are capable of getting something from the game, as they proved in the win at seventh-placed Bradford City earlier this month.
“Paul Simpson [Carlisle United manager] is someone I have a lot of respect for, I know him well,” said Bentley.
“He’s done a fantastic job up there – they’ve invested well. I was looking at the teamsheet on Tuesday – myself and Chaddy [Nick Chadwick] drove up there to watch them against Hartlepool – and they thoroughly deserved to win that.
“They’ve just recently taken Joe Garner in and a young lad from Crystal Palace played on Tuesday. They’ve got a good squad of players with a little bit of everything.
“They’re in good form, they’re in a good position. They have key players – [Kristian] Dennis is a player that is doing really well and took both goals well the other night. They have numerous players that we’re going to have to look out for.
“But it’s League Two football. When we went up there in my first league game, we’re capable of scoring goals.
“It doesn’t matter who you play, you pay the opposition the respect they deserve. These are no different – they’re in good form, they’re a good side, but we’ve got to rise to the challenge, otherwise it’s pointless turning up.
“I understand there’s a bit of negativity knocking around. We’re in a position we don’t want to be. We’ve lost the last two, more so through critical errors than the opposition being better than us.
“We’ve got to keep going, so Carlisle at home is the next one up, the most important one. We’ll do all we can to try and get something from that game. We know it will be a tough game, but we’re a capable outfit on our day.
“Recently, we went to Bradford who are one of the top sides and deservedly won.
“I’ve had my say, Chaddy has had his say, the players know exactly where we are. Come Saturday, it’s all hands to the pump, all energies and focus on trying to get something out of the game, because we need it at the minute.”
Watch the full interview with Jim Bentley ahead of Saturday’s game against Carlisle United.