The damning verdict of the debacle at Bristol Rovers.

Make no bones about it, this result marks just about the lowest point in Saints history since the Second World War, yes some would argue that when we were relegated to division 3 south it was lower in terms of league position but at least then there was hope, at present its hard to see any.

On Saturday at the Memorial Stadium, we once again put out the same team in the main as ususual and we once again got the same result, the Official site argues that it was wrong for the fans to turn on D & G and they do have a point, but it is a small point, at the end of the day, the managers select the team and if that team isnt motivated or confident, then yes the players can be blamed, but the managers are equally at fault.

But although D & G should be blamed for our results, they should not be blamed for the situation that they find themselves in, the real blame needs to be laid firmly at the feet of the board who have failed to name a successor to George Burley, to use the excuse that they cant appoint anyone because of an alledged investor interest is downright insulting to the inttelligence of the fans, they could of and should have appointed a manager to the end of the season as has happened at Sheffield United, there Kevin Blackwell is a man who would have been ideal at Saints, why have we not tried this route.

But back to the game at Bristol, in short we always knew it would be difficult, but our players failed to impose themselves on the game, of course the players have to be blamed, but a hell of a lot has to be down to tactics.

Stod behind the goal, I found it difficult to work out our exact formation and who was playing were, certainly at the back it was a flat back four and we seemed to have only one man up front in Stern John, but we seemed to have five in midfield and none of them appeared to be playing in the same position all the time, now if I as a supporter cant work out what we are supposed to be doing, then it has to be difficult for the players.

But where are we going wrong, lets look at each individual player.

Kelvin Davis

Wasnt his best game, but far from his worst either, couldnt be faulted for the goal and made a decent save first half after Davies miscued, can be absolved from blame.

Alexander Ostlund.

Didnt have a great game and his control and distribution were lacking, in his defence, when he had the ball he had nothing along the line to pass to, when a full back has the ball he has only one long option and that is down the line, but with one up front and that man unprepared to move out of the centre, Ostlund  had no outlet.

Jermaine Wright.

Wright isnt good enough for a place in the team in his natural position, let along left back, in the second half many a Saints attack broke down as when the ball went to Wright in space he couldnt plough forward or get in an early ball but had to check back on his right foot, its not his fault that he is having to fill in, but he is symtomatic of the problems at Saints now. Should have cleared the ball for the goal instead of slicing it into his own net.

Andrew Davies.

One of the few that seemed to actually care, sadly though it wasnt his best game as he struggled to impose himself, his worst however is better than some of our players best at present, got away with a howler when he attempted to clear and completely missed the ball, this highlighted the reason why he isnt quite true Premier class, he has absolutely no left foot, this caused unessary pressure down the left flank as instead of clearing up line with his left foot he puts straight into touch with his right.

Darren Powell

Powell never looked comfortable all game and seemed unable to clear the ball at times, before the goal he had headed at least two easy headers straight up into the air above him and he put in a clumsy challenge that gave away the free kick for the goal. 

Jonh Viafara

Always the scapegoat at Saints, again he seemed to be moved across the midfield during the game, meaning he couldnt get into it and why he was taken off with four minutes left, surely thats when you need your big players on the pitch to get on the end of big balls into the box.  

Jason Euell

Not his worst game, but he was inneffectual and couldnt get a grip on the centre of the park, another symptom of why Saints are in trouble, some players are played whatever their form whilst others are in and out of the team, how has he played about 20 games in a row.

Inigo Idiakez

Idiakez seemed to want to work, but again I couldnt quite work out where he was meant to be playing, he should have been pulling the strings but he had nothing ahead of him to pass to, meaning he had to either go sideways or try and work an opening, he almost did on a couple of occasions, again brought off when otheres should have been ahead of him.

Andrew Surman

Worked hard and cared and never stopped running, however he had nothing in front of him to work openings.

Marek Saganowski.

Why is he being played in midfield, D & G are trying to play this system with five in the midfield leaving Sagga free to augurment the attack but it isnt working, he is a forward he needs to be played there.

Stern John.

Came out of this game with no credit, the problem is four goals in the last three games have papered over the fact that John's workrate is none existent, when he is the lone striker he should be working, but he isnt, offers no channels or line balls for the full back, but remains static in the centre, he might hold up the ball a little better than Rasiak (although this is arguable) but when was the last time he brought anyone into play, in short with two up front he is OK, as a lone striker he is useless.

BWP

Tried hard but is suffering from a lack of confidence at present, a small bumpy pitch was never going to be the time to regain it.

David McGoldrick

McGoldrick should have come on for Stern John, he needs someone alongside him to play off, not a static forward, so never got into the game.

Adam Hammill

Was chomping at the bit and could off and should have provided an option to pump the ball into the box, but with four minutes to go the managers pulled off Viafara when they should have gambled and took off a defender, sadly this was another substituional blunder from the bench although Hamill cant be blamed for this and got stuck in although he had nothing to aim at.

In short there are few players that have walked away from this game with no blame attached, yet the management team cannot be absoleved, although we have established that they have been thrown into a situation that isnt of their making, and that both of them dont seem to have what it takes to be a leader of men and are better as number two's, they should be better tactically and with substitutions.

The real villains of the day should be the Board, they took over from the Executives two months ago promising several things, they have yet to deliver on any of them yet and have a situation of their own making that means Saints are leaderless on the pitch as well as off it.

Lawrie McMenemy in charge for the visit of Plymouth ? I wouldnt bet against it for a variety of reasons !  

Photo: Action Images

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