Bristol Rovers are on a roll and although the gaps between games seem to once again be narrowing, after a brief reprieve, when you’re winning games you just want to keep playing.
That said, after today’s game at Charlton, there is a nice nine-day rest period before the Boxing Day clash at Wycombe Wanderers and all the intensity and inconsistencies of the Christmas week.
With just one defeat in 11 league games and the top six in sight, the Gas will be confident of continuing their good form against a Charlton Athletic side who, by contrast, are struggling: winless in six matches in all competitions, with Anthony Hayes in charge and far more concerned with the foot of the table than being to look up, like Rovers. Here’s how we think the Gas will line up…
Goalkeeper and defence
Anssi Jaakkola made his fifth appearance of the season on Tuesday and unfortunately was denied a clean sheet by a hugely contentious penalty towards the end but that maintained the Finn’s record of only playing in the competition.
James Belshaw was at the Mem on Tuesday, swapping roles with Jaakkola as the No2, but will be back between the sticks at The Valley for his fifth league appearance of the campaign.
In front of Belshaw the expectation is Barton will return to the back three that ensured a clean sheet and subsequent 1-0 victory over Port Vale last Saturday: Bobby Thomas, James Connolly and Lewis Gibson.
The first two were in the team against MK Dons, with Thomas moved into the central position and Connolly to the left as Gibson - who’s had injury issues this season - was given the night off.
There’s not thought to be any lingering issues with the Everton loanee so Barton’s first-choice back three is set to be brought back together. It’s harsh on Luca Hoole following his goalscoring turn on Tuesday but the 20-year-old will simply have to wait for his opportunity in the league. Performance like that, however, will help elevate him back into Barton’s thinking.
He could find himself in the matchday 18 as although Alfie Kilgour’s red card isn’t applicable to the league - his suspension is only served in the Papa Johns Trophy - Barton may look to reward the Welshman for his positive performance with a place on the bench.
Midfield
Starting with the wing-backs, and the most obvious selection, Lewis Gordon is nailed on to be on the left given Trevor Clarke’s injury and the lack of options outside of James Gibbons operating on his weaker side.
Gordon has started both games this week but it was telling he was withdrawn with 21 minutes to go against MK Dons, clearly with this weekend in mind.
On the right, Scott Sinclair started against Port Vale while Gibbons operated there in the cup tie. Granted, it’s a different level in quality of opposition but the latter delivered the better performance and given today’s game is on the road there’s surely a chance for the full-back to be preferred to the veteran.
Gibbons there would take something away from Rovers’ attacking play, but he may well have earned the right to start and Sinclair will instead assume a role on the bench as an impact substitute.
Into the middle of the park and Antony Evans should have recovered from his numerous bumps and bruises in midweek to take his place as the advanced playmaker, but it’s the two positions behind him that are of special interest.
Jordan Rossiter has been excellent in recent weeks but the nature of his knee problem, and how he did it, may just mean Barton treats him with caution as the Scouser has had his problems in the past.
With Sam Finley still out, Paul Coutts will be the holding midfielder and should Rossiter not make it that almost certainly means a start for Luke McCormick to build on his performance in midweek as the box-to-box presence.
Should McCormick be preferred ahead of the defensive-minded Glenn Whelan, it also gives rise to the suggestion that Gibbons will be on the right as the full-backs offers far more defensive security than Sinclair.
Attack
As we write this the decision over whether to play Collins or not may still not have been made, with teamsheets submitted to the match officials at around 1pm.
The Welshman’s shin injury did look bad on initial viewing but quickly improved - visually, at least - and by the time the players were leaving the Mem, he was limping but with far less pain and discomfort.
The key will ultimately be whether any damage was on the surface or internal. If it’s the former, then he’ll likely start alongside Josh Coburn. If there’s any more suspicious and worrying then he’ll sit this one out. It really comes down to the advice made on the day by the medical staff and Barton’s own call.
If Collins can’t make it then it’ll surely be John Marquis alongside Coburn as, much like McCormick and Hoole, he deserves to be rewarded for his display on Tuesday and the 30-year-old did show some emerging chemistry with the Middlesbrough loanee.
He is a very different type of striker to Collins, although has admitted he wants to adapt his game more and not just be a penalty box player. That leaves Harvey Saunders in reserve, who was also on target against MK Dons but just has to remain patient.
As for Ryan Loft, his involvement is far less definite due to illness and muscle spasms in recent weeks but even if the big targetman is passed fit, due to his lack of football over the last six weeks, he’ll likely be on the bench. The same can also be true of Harry Anderson as he edges back into contention after a long layoff.
Bristol Rovers (3-4-1-2): James Belshaw; Bobby Thomas, James Connolly, Lewis Gibson; James Gibbons, Paul Coutts, Luke McCormick, Lewis Gordon; Antony Evans; Aaron Collins, Josh Coburn
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