Disappointing defeat shows last season's shortcomings remain for Bristol Rovers

We all rolled up for the new season full of hope and optimism but, and I know there are another 45 games to go, I feel most Gasheads trooped away with their tails firmly between their legs.

The manner of the defeat was disappointing particularly as those shortcomings from last season were still there for all to see again.

And what is going on with the goalkeeping position?

Steve Phillips has had his critics but he has proved pretty reliable over a period of great success for the Gas. So why was he was replaced by a player, who is only on a month's loan, with no explanation for the fans?

People who pay their cash to stand on the terraces deserve to be told what is going on. First, I thought maybe Phillips was injured, had fallen over his wallet or had swine flu but no, there he was limbering up to spend the afternoon on the bench.

Fraser Forster looked competent in the friendly against Liverpool yet didn't look as though he should be replacing Phillips.

He was not to blame for the Orient defeat but a keeper of his height ought to be confident enough to command his area. Yet, too often he punched when he could have caught the ball, that is when he did take the trouble to come off his line.

Once again in a home game we lacked width, particularly after the break. David Pipe tried hard enough, as always, without much success, and as for Jeff Hughes, well I am fed up of saying he gives us no width on the left in home games.

When he did threaten in the first half he would do a step over, drag it back onto his right foot and pass it square, not once did he take on the full-back on the outside.

Let's hope Darryl Duffy starts tomorrow's home game against Aldershot alongside Jo Kuffour and Rickie Lambert.

On the positive side, several chances were created when Lambert threaded a couple of delightful through balls to Kuffour, but the young striker had one of those days when he just wasn't going to find the net. Another plus was the solid return of the new slim-line Danny Coles. Let's hope he can stay free of injury this season.

New full-back Carl Regan seemed steady enough while our other summer signing Dominic Blizzard looked more than useful in midfield when he came on for the last 25 minutes.

Maybe his height and strength could be useful in that role in front of the back four occupied by Stuart Campbell. I feel our skipper's mobility and fighting spirit is wasted and he should be the one coming forward more to link up with the strikers, particularly now that Craig Disley has left the club.

Now let's hope we can do better in the cups this season, starting tomorrow night.