THE new boys of Rossendale United will need a few games before they gel and start to make a difference to the UniBond first division side.

Dale have struggled so far this season and haven't won in 10 matches.

Manager Jim McCluskie signed a glut of new players before Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at league leaders Alfreton, but said they would need games before they started to improve the side.

"We looked like a side who had four or five new players in it," said McCluskie. "And it didn't help that Kel Okorie dislocated his shoulder after 10 minutes and spent the night in hospital.

"It didn't look like much at first and then he was rolling around on the floor and I thought 'here we go', it was typical of our luck."

Dale have also signed John McGill from Leigh, Ged Smith (Hyde), and John Alpin from local league football.

"It was difficult and made more so because they are a good side," McCluskie said of Alfreton. "The players were thrown in and they looked disjointed.

"We missed Matt Woods as well again and we have got a bit of work to do now."

Dale face Kidsgrove at home in the UniBond first division tomorrow.

"They were unstoppable last season but they have had a bit of a bad start, as we have. They have just got a new manager though which could make it difficult."