ANOTHER poor performance from the Seasiders in the West Country sent them crashing to second bottom of Division Two after losing 3-1 to Bristol Rovers on Saturday (Oct 2).

And it really is a mountain to climb for Nigel Worthington and his men to climb.

The Seasiders are better than this. They can play better and they should be playing better - it's as simple as that.

Marvin Bryan, the Seasiders man of the match in the past two games, turned villain by gifting the home side an easy goal.

Brett Ormerod and John Murphy worked hard throughout the match - but they were never allowed to play a major role in the match because they weren't passed the ball.

Northern Ireland international Jim Whitley, covering for absent Phil Clarkson, looked more out of his depth than ever, bringing down David Pritchard from behind on 20 minutes.

Danger man Jamie Cureton gave Adam Rachel the debut start he didn't want, sending him the wrong way from the spot to put the home side 1-0 up.

Rachel showed his mettle though on the half hour with a fine save from an Adam Hillier rocket.

Cureton capitalised on Bryan's first gaff on 70 minutes.

Bryan's backpass looked more like a through-ball from Bristol's midfield, perfectly placed for Cureton to slam home.

Five minutes later Jason Roberts ran on to a Robbie Pethick diagonal pass and slotted the ball in the top right corner.

Murphy proved he can score with a superb 20-yarder in the last minute, but the goal was always going to be no more than a consolation.

The Seasiders again lacked the team spirit that they need to gel together.

Individual performances were poor - and that reflected on the team, which some solid ambition to raise itself from the relegation quagmire. Manager Nigel Worthington sent assistant Mick Hennigan to speak to the media after the game - obviously tired of making excuses for his players. Out of favour striker John Murphy could land himself a permanent contract with Port Vale if he impresses boss Brian Horton.

Crocked defender Paul Beesley could be back in a Tangerine shirt by the start of November after making some progress after his ankle injury.

Despite obvious interest from Queen's Park Rangers and West Ham United, neither club have, as yet, made a bid for Clark Carlisle.

Gillingham could be about to hand Tony Caig a lifeline out of Bloomfield Road. The Gills are said to be looking for a new back-up keeper.

Stockport County striker Brett Angel, who once enjoyed a brief spell at Everton, is said to be looking to move to another North West club.

Blackpool are unlikely to make an approach, according to sources at the club.

Preston North End bosses have strenuously denied rumours that striker Kurt Nogan is to move to arch-rivals Blackpool on loan.

Manager David Moyes and chairman Bryan Gray rubbished the story after a call-line, advertised on Teletext, was subtitled: "Nogan to Blackpool?"

On Saturday (Oct 9) the Seasiders travel to meet Chesterfield.

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