ROVERS crashed to a disastrous 4-1 defeat at home to Peterborough on Saturday.

Posh fully deserved their emphatic victory after outclassing us in every department for most of the game.

Although we knew this would be a tough test, fans were left shell-shocked at the manner of the loss and how comprehensively beaten we were.

The visitors set the tone for the contest in the opening exchanges, dominating the play before they took the lead in the sixth minute.

We tried to get back into the game but to no avail, as they repelled any attacks we could muster. We looked short of ideas going forward and lacked the creativity or possession in midfield to challenge their supremacy.

At least we were only one goal down at half-time as there was still hope we could improve and mount a fightback.

But Peterborough had other ideas as they added to their lead in the 55th and 78th minutes.

Gaffney scored a late consolation before Posh added their fourth to complete the rout.

The Sweeney and Lockyer partnership in central defence looked impregnable last season but on this occasion they seemed nervous and edgy.

Other defenders were equally unsure of themselves and we were desperately short of width in midfield with Sinclair again played out of position on the left.

Nichols had a quiet game and questions will still be asked of Harrison’s ability to compete at this level after he blazed a good chance over the bar.

Darrell Clarke pulled no punches after the game, criticising the performance and accusing some of his players of being ‘mentally weak’.

However it is important not to panic and overreact as we are only two games into the season. We have started slowly in recent years but gone on to enjoy successful seasons and there is no reason that cannot happen again.

We do need to recruit at least a couple more players before the window closes and the players need to up their game quickly to ensure routs like this do not occur again.

Another tough challenge awaits on Saturday with a trip to Bury.