Bristol Rovers' fans panel by Jeff Bolitho (From Gazette Series)

Bristol Rovers' fans panel by Jeff Bolitho

12:30pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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MOST Rovers fans expected to be beaten by Southampton on Saturday, but the manner of defeat left everyone feeling disappointed and somewhat disillusioned.

There is no doubt the Saints have quality in every position and their promotion this season appears to be a formality.

Despite the gap in class all Gasheads demand a passionate performance from the team so the opposition knows that it has been in a game, regardless of the final outcome.

But the Rovers’ display was sadly lacking in any passion, spirit or guile and was characterised by some woeful defending to make the game a meaningless spectacle.

The front two worked hard but again had to feed off scraps with such little service being provided from the midfield or defence.

Neither Hoskins nor Kuffour can be faulted for their efforts so far this season but maybe the introduction of Akinde, who has arrived on loan from Bristol City, could give us that extra physical edge up front that we have been lacking.

Lines and Campbell are still well short of the form we know they can produce and Hughes also had little to offer on Saturday.

Wayne Brown showed glimpses of his quality but in such a one-sided game he struggled to make his mark.

The biggest worries are in defence, where Coles looks hopelessly out of form and a shadow of the player who looked such a commanding figure at the back in the last couple of seasons.

His reckless tackle to give away a penalty to make it 3-0 to the Saints was a gift we should not be presenting to opponents.

It could be time to move Anthony from right back to central defence to steady the ship and stop us leaking goals.

The lack of an experienced natural leader at the back to organise the troops is apparent and the decision not to bring in any defensive reinforcements this week was disappointing.

However, Oldham will not pose the same threat as Southampton and a trip to Boundary Park on Saturday, which has been a happy hunting ground for the Gas in the past, could present an opportunity to get our season back on track.

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