Verdict: Bristol R 1 Saints 0

Last updated : 18 February 2008 By Chris C
Line-ups

Saints stuck with the same starting line-up that had the ultimate game of two halves against Stoke. Unfortunately, the 'first half team' played the entire 90 minutes this time.

There was once again little organisation at set pieces, bar the outstanding Andrew Davies, and it was only a surprise that Saints conceded the winner so late with Bristol already having what looked a perfectly good goal ruled out for a push on Viafara.

It was in midfield that Saints were at their very, very worst. The combination of Viafara, Surman, Idiakez and Euell were simply unable to pass the ball, retain it, win it back or deliver any quality into the box. Ironically, the only real moments display of quality came from the ageing Idiakez's twinkling feet in the second half for which he was promptly substituted!

On a bobbly pitch Saints had to show some fight but were constantly muscled off the ball in embarrassing fashion. They did manage some pretty passing moves outside of the danger area, but soon conceded possession.

Up front Saga and John struggled with little service from midfield, with John gamely trying to hold the ball up on his own.

Verdict

One positive did come out of this match. At least we have some experience of League One opposition to be able to call on next season!

Saints were desperately disorganised and head scratchingly passionless in the one chance to get some glory in this desperately disappointing season.

It was a great chance to go through against the second lowest ranked team left in the draw, but the players played like strangers and seem to be going through the motions, albeit with some notable exceptions in Davis, Davies and John.

Instead of a dream draw against one of the Premiership big guns in the quarter finals, we are only left wondering if this team can get any worse and go down.

All credit to Bristol Rovers who deservedly went through and should have scored the goal their play merited much earlier. Let's hope they get the winner of Man Utd v Arsenal for a memorable day out.

However, it doesn't seem to matter who we play of late, the same problems remain. A lack of balance in midfield, quality for the strikers and organisation at the back. A worrying combination that needs a strong manager to come in and sort out.

Saints have had enough warnings in the past with Gray and Wigley's disastrous tenures as are-they-or-are-they-not-managers not to make the same mistake again with Gorman and Dodd, but history is repeating itself to the frustration of our long suffering supporters.

There is simply no time to lose. What slim chance we do have of a takeover is only going to get slimmer if we drift into League One.