Injures and the second half performance against Preston dictated much of the starting line-up with Gobern making his full debut, Wotton coming into central midfield and the fit-again Adam Lallana back to start.
The side missed the experience of Svensson and Perry at the back and Schneiderlin's class in midfield, plus the bulk of the ill Robertson up front.
Although Pearce added solidity to the centre of defence, Saints continued to look vulnerable at the back despite Bristol playing one up front, with the attacking wingers failing to offer enough support to the full backs, limiting the impact of Skacel and Cork's ability on the ball.
Things were equally disjointed in midfield with again the wingers going missing when Surman and Wotton needed outlets in midfield. Up front, despite Lallana's best efforts, McGoldrick was too isolated up front against large and experienced defenders leaving him far too much to do on his own.
On the Cross verdict
This was another frustrating afternoon in front of the Sky cameras and in truth Bristol could have made the game safe before Saints finally woke out of their slumber with the first goal.
Bristol showed the value of a well organised side who work to a clear gameplan with each player knowing their position and role in the side.
Saints 4-2-1-2-1 is as complicated as it looks on paper, particularly with so many youngsters coming into the side. Unless the wingers function effectively then the midfield gets outnumbered, the striker isolated and the full backs exposed. Things weren't helped by a game of musical chairs in midfield in the second half with countless positional switches as the subs came on.
Thompson and Gobern have plenty of potential, but shouldn't both have started so early in their respective careers. The truth is that ever since Holmes' injury the 'revolutionary' formation hasn't worked on a consistent basis and causes more problems than it solves.
To bed this young side in Saints could learn a lot from Bristol's simple, yet effective 4-4-1-1 and have the personnel to play it. Positions are clear, the defence is better protected and it can accommodate Lallana's free spirit.
Much of the frustration was down to Saints' failure to pick up where they left off against Preston, only starting to play when they went a goal down.
Poortvliet seemed puzzled as to why his young side started so slowly, but surely that's the manager's responsibility? Better yet, a gameplan that adapts to the opposition and doesn't just involve rotating players in the hope that suddenly the formation will click.
Things should improve with the added quality of Schneiderlin, Svensson, Perry and Euell, perhaps even Gasmi, but Saints need to get the basics right of defending and attacking before this season slips away and the January transfer window strips the side of its best players.
Unfortunately, high-flying Reading and Wolves await. It could be another frustrating couple of weeks.