Rovers 0-3 Morecambe (League Two)

Before I start on the ineptitude of our performance yesterday it's worth explaining why I've not had a preview from opposition fans for the past couple of games. I was let down at the last minute by both a Wycombe and Morecambe fan the day before our matches with them and therefore couldn't publish a preview. I'll aim to rectify this and have one in place for the Yeovil game in the JPT on Tuesday.

I'm sure you're all sick to death of thinking about the game yesterday so I'm not going to drag out a long review on our 3-0 loss. Everything that needed to be said has been and now it's down to the players to react positively in the next couple of games this week. Our defence could not defend, our midfield gave the ball away constantly and lacked any idea of how to create goalscoring opportunities, our wingers can't beat a man and cross the ball whilst our forwards spend all their time outside the penalty area. They look like a bunch of individuals out on the pitch and that allowed a team like Morecambe, who offer nothing except organisation in defence (which should be a given in League Two), to look like world beaters. Without being disrespectful to the Shrimps, who came to the Mem and did a good job on us, they aren't a top team and shouldn't be scoring 3 past us on our own patch.

Should Harrold be dropped?

Kevin Ellison is an experienced professional who is not satisfied until he's wound up the opposition and scored a goal. He gets under people's skin and uses that to his advantage, which he did yesterday. He's a typical League Two player who knows his strengths and plays to them. It appeared to me yesterday that very few of the Rovers players seem to have that desire to go and make something happen like Ellison had for Morecambe - they were relying on other people to go and score a goal. I say relying on other people, what I mean is they were relying on Matt Harrold. It's the easy option every time for our players who seem so weak-minded that they feel they just have to lump the ball towards Harrold when they're passed to. Unfortunately, despite how likeable he is and how hard-working he is, Harrold is a League Two strike with many limitations. I know you have to expect that of players at this level but I think he's one of the problems in our team at the moment. The number of strike partners he's had since the start of last season is incredible. Until now we've all assumed that the lack of consistency up front is down to the lack of quality in player's like Zebroski, Anyinsah and McGleish, but we're having the same problems this year. David Clarkson is not a poor player - he may not have proven himself yet but I'll stick my neck out and claim that he'll be one of our best players this season - so you have to look at our strikeforce from an alternative view. The common denominator in our poor strike pairings is Matt Harrold.

Defenders know how to play against him and nullify his threats and it stops us from getting the ball down and passing it like we did at Wycombe. He'd be a great option to have on the bench but I'd much prefer Clarkson and Eliot Richards given a go together up top as I think we'd look more dangerous going forward. I'm also certain it would improve our style of play too as we'd have no choice but to look for a pass instead of aiming a high ball forwards. I think the JPT game against Yeovil is the perfect opportunity for us to experiment with it and see if it works for us. We're set up too conservatively at home which doesn't make for a great spectacle as that's exactly what the opposition does at the Mem and it means we offer nothing in attack. We need to be more adventurous like we were last weekend at Adams Park. We were intent on being offensive and got our rewards with 3 great goals - that's what we need to be doing game in, game out.

I won't go in to our defensive problems as they were clear for all to see. Cian Bolger must start in place of Adam Virgo - I think that'll be one improvement straight away. It was always going to be risky starting Virgo in every game after his year-long rehabilitation from injury so for the good of his game he needs to rest and recover properly. I'm of the opinion that Bolger is a better player anyway so it makes sense. One thing's for sure, Mark McGhee will make changes. He will not accept another performance like that again whilst he's in charge of the club.

I think we'll come good and enjoy a successful season but it's going to take a bit of time for us to settle and produce more consistent displays. It's worth remembering that Swindon won the league last year after losing their opening 5/6 games so there is still hope. Once Garry Kenneth and Danny Woodards are back from injury we'll be much better off - fingers crossed it'll be sooner rather than later. All it will take is for the likes of Clarkson and Richards to score their first goals and I think they'll begin firing on all cylinders. They won't get many opportunities until our midfield start fashioning chances for them and that will only happen when we start taking a more attacking approach to our matches.

Yeovil will be a difficult game after their impressive start to the season and they currently lie 2nd in the table following yesterday's 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers. Gary Johnson will have his men fired up for the game and they'll arrive here intent on earning themselves a place in round two. They'll be confident and will try to attack which may work in our favour. Or so I hope.

Plenty to think about and digest for McGhee tonight but I think we'll see a much improved Rovers team line up against the Glovers. It has to kickstart our season in terms of performance and result.