Swansea boss Brian Flynn blasted his side after he saw his slender play-off chances slip away thanks to a 1-1 draw at the Vetch.
Brad Maylett's strike 12 minutes from time rescued a point for the stuttering Swans but it wasn't enough to stop Flynn from all but dismissing the Swans chances of a top seven finish.
"It is a vital point," said Flynn, whose team found themselves a goal down after 26 minutes thanks to Leo Bertos' low footed drive. "But we lacked any kind of urgency in the first half and had no quality whatsoever.
"If we play like that the play-offs are out of the question. I am not throwing in the towel and I hope we can get the results to achieve our aim but after tonight I am not too sure. I am not being negative, just being realistic.
"We must now look beyond the next 12 games and I am starting to build a side for the future, wherever that may be." Flynn was right to slam his players after a shocking first half performance had them facing an uphill task to take advantage of a game in hand.
Bertos' strike was Rochdale's first real chance but still Swansea struggled to create any real opening.
And although the hosts upped the tempo in the second half it was still Swansea keeper Brian Murphy who had the most work to do as he pulled off great saves from Sean McClare and Kevin Townson.
Swansea rallied through Maylett who pounced when Rochdale failed to clear their lines but the winger missed a golden opportunity to snatch all three points when he drove the ball straight at visiting keeper Neil Edwards went through on goal.
But Flynn refused to be too downhearted and insisted there was some positive to be taken from the disappointing draw.
"We are still four games unbeaten," said Flynn. "And I thought Brian Murphy was magnificent. Too many individuals did not play well and when that happens you usually lose so we must look at it as a point gained.
"We have got 50 points which is a lot more than last year but we must bounce back and we must do it at Southend on Saturday."