By Stephen Knowlson

Another poor showing at home resulted in a humiliating 4-0 drubbing when Bristol Rovers took on their Doncaster namesakes last Saturday.

It’s gone from bad to worse at the Memorial Stadium. Instead of the gutsy performance Gasheads were hoping for, a dismal effort full of sloppy play, defensive errors and rank bad misses in front of goal was served up to the long-suffering Rovers faithful.

The game was played in gusty conditions but Doncaster were incisive and energetic from the start. Pressing the Rovers backline high up the pitch their attack and midfield forced a succession of errors which were gleefully pounced upon by the confident Donny players, especially John Marquis and Malik Wilks.

Marquis bagged the opener on 10 minutes with a well-struck shot from distance. Two minutes before the interval, Wilks scored their second reacting fastest to a Marquis header which had cannoned off the crossbar.

Just before the hour Anderson had all the time in the world to head a third past Bonham in the Bristol Rovers goal and the thrashing was complete when the impressive Wilks finished a pacey Donny break with a low finish into the home net.

For the Gas, Clarke struck the post in the first half when he really should have scored and Bennett hit the woodwork in the second, but in all honesty Lawlor in the Donny goal was rarely troubled throughout.

I’ve supported Clarke during this difficult period, and I still think he’s the best man to get us out of this mess, but he doesn’t seem to know his best formation or lineup. Another five changes from our midweek Checkatrade Trophy victory against Swansea Under 21s and leaving Jakubiak, who scored a fine individual goal at the Liberty Stadium, on the bench does not engender any continuity or confidence in the team.

Clarke started Nichols and Payne up front without wingers on Saturday and wondered why they struggled on paltry service. More consistency and application is urgently required from him and his players if Rovers are to climb away from danger.

That task couldn’t start in a more challenging place this Saturday as the team travel to the North East to take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.