ROVERS failed to get off to a winning start to the new season as defensive weaknesses saw us slip to a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough.

It was always going to be a challenging opening fixture, travelling to face a side that is usually fancied to compete for a play-off place, but Darrell Clarke may be worried at the lack of attacking threat and state of Rovers' backline.

The attention before the game had focussed on our failure to sign a striker to replace Ellis Harrison, who has joined Ipswich for £750,000.

Clarke opted to start with Nichols up front, who has much to prove after a disappointing campaign last season, with Bennett playing behind him.

New signings Rodman and Upson were given their debuts in midfield as we tried to get off to a positive start, but it couldn’t have begun more disastrously as we conceded in the first minute.

We failed to adequately defend a cross and a header gave Posh the lead.

Despite attempts to regain a foothold in the game the home side added to their lead in the 26th minute, with a cross from the left this time evading defender Craig.

We then had a mountain to climb and despite a second half improvement, with Sercombe going close, Lockyer’s consolation goal in added time was too little, too late.

Our midfield looks strong, but there are concerns that the centre-back pairing of Lockyer and Craig are not commanding enough to repel attacks and consistently keep out crosses - both Peterborough goals came from Rovers failing to deal with balls into the box.

Giving the more imposing Broadbent more game time might be a better option as he showed last season he has the ability and just needs more experience.

We desperately need more options up front and hopefully we will bring in a new striker in time for Saturday’s match with Accrington at the Mem.

We desperately need someone with physical presence to hold the ball up and bring others into play following the loss of Harrison and also Gaffney, who joined Salford earlier in the summer.

If we can recruit a new striker and secure three points on Saturday, and follow that up next Tuesday with victory against Crawley in the EFL Cup, fans would have more cause for optimism.