DARRELL Clarke called Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Bradford ‘a weak defensive performance from us’ as Bristol Rovers started September in by falling down in Yorkshire.

Three goals from Bradford’s Charlie Wyke had Rovers facing defeat before Billy Bodin grabbed a consolation goal late on.

Clarke was not holding back after Saturday’s disappointment in front of television cameras. He said: “It was not good enough and a weak defensive performance.

“It is a tough place to come, Bradford, and one defeat in 33 games tells you that but if you are going to give teams goals from set-pieces, you are always going to find it a difficult day.”

Defence has been an issue for Rovers since the start of the season. Only once in eight matches now have they kept a clean sheet when beating Fulham 1-0 in the EFL Cup second round on August 22.

But, while they have been on a high since being thrashed 4-1 at home to Peterborough in the second League One clash of the season, with a thrilling five-goal thriller victory over Bury away starting a run of four victories, Rovers have conceded at least one goal in seven of their eight matches in all competitions.

Now it is a case of bouncing back and beating Walsall, who are two points and four places above Rovers in tenth, on Saturday when the two clubs clash at the Mem.

And, while Clarke is not ready to disclose what he said to the players after their defeat at Bradford, which ended a four-match run of victories that saw them thrash Wycombe 5-1 away in the Football League Trophy during last week.

The manager said: “This is an unforgiving league.” He is not wrong there and it gets tougher by the match with the Walsall clash followed by a big run of games in September.

They play Oldham at home next after the Saddlers visit and are expected to defeat a side which, at present, has not got a point on the League Two board this season. So the pressure will be on there.

They then travel to high-flying Wigan, who are desperate to gain promotion back to the Championship before a trip to Championship side Wolves in the EFL Cup third round.