It was a few weeks before the international break where Joey Barton and James Belshaw spoke of wanting to play the final stages of this season with a real sense of freedom and abandonment.
That was under the proviso, of course, that their League One status was secured and while they’re still one point short of Barton’s 52-point target to rubber-stamp that, the fact that contract negotiations have now opened with a number of players indicates the decision-makers in the building believe they’ve now gotten over the line.
Today’s visit of Derby County could therefore make for an interesting and potentially exhilarating occasion with the visitors in a troubling run of form - one win in five - and needing points on the board to get back into the top six mix, and the hosts going for it, for the simple reason that they can.
Granted, uncomfortable memories of October’s trip to Pride Park still exist and the Gas will want to give a better account of themselves than they did on that day, particularly in the first half where a succession of unforced errors left them with too great a margin to make up.
But back-to-back victories over the Easter weekend has put Rovers in a great position, both in terms of the league and their own mental state with confidence and belief high and the pressure and focus all on the Rams.
Here’s how we think Barton’s side will line up at the Mem…
Goalkeeper and defence
Barton is a happy man, not just because of the upturn in results but his increased squad options going into these final seven games of the season condensed into three weeks, and while to a certain extent this starting XI picks itself, whoever is left out could still have a major part to play over the run-in.
One position that remains reassuringly secure and in no need of alteration is between the posts with Belshaw Rovers’ No1 and more than likely enjoying this period where he’s not had a great to do, such has been the strength of the overall defensive display.
It’s hard to imagine the Gas limiting Derby in the same way they did Fleetwood Town and Charlton Athletic, but having seen his goal peppered for much of the season it’s provided him with some welcome respite.
In front of the 32-year-old, it’s hard to see too much, if anything, changing. That conversation could well be had at the start of next week as Jarell Quansah returns from his three-match suspension and just the overall wear and tear on the squad, but for now Barton is likely to keep his back four together of Luca Hoole and Lewis Gordon as full-backs and James Connolly and the excellent Lewis Gibson in the middle.
You have to give enormous credit to Connolly who looks to have bounced back after an extended period out of the side and with his confidence appearing brittle but he’s stepped back in and looked dominant once again alongside Gibson.
Support will be provided on the bench by James Gibbons and potentially Harry Anderson, should Barton wish to adopt a more attacking dimension or switch to wing-backs.
Midfield
With Paul Coutts absent and Jordan Rossiter now being talked of terms for next season rather than this current campaign, the double pivot of Lamare Bogarde and Grant Ward will remain.
The duo have been a model of understated efficiency and while there have been some natural inconsistencies with Bogarde, he’s still resembled a player far more advanced than his 19 years and total lack of senior appearances prior to making the temporary switch to BS7.
They’ve saved Barton and his coaching staff a considerable headache following the injuries to Coutts and Rossiter and for all the claims of an underwhelming January window, which still does hold some merit, without that double signing, the Gas would likely be in a far worse position.
That’s also enabled Sam Finley to play a little further forward and while he is a two-way midfielder offering creativity and defensive qualities, getting him on the ball a further 10-15 yards upfield just makes Rovers look more dynamic and varied in attack.
On the presumption Barton sticks to the system that served his side well against Fleetwood and Charlton, the two outside the captain should once again be Aaron Collins on the left-hand side and Antony Evans to the right.
It’s testament to Collins’ character that he fulfilled media duties this week and was more than happy to discuss his slightly frustrating personal form in 2023 as other players may choose to hide away. The worm should eventually turn again and he’s certainly looked that little bit sharper and brighter since the break in fixtures.
There is perhaps a debate to be had on the right where Barton could opt for greater width and either deploy Scott Sinclair or Anderson there, especially as Evans wasn’t that effective against the Cod Army. It just depends on what sort of game plan he wishes to adopt.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a change, with either winger offering greater pace and penetration as opposed to Evans’ guile on the ball. Then again if the manager is looking for consistency in performance he may well keep it the same.
Attack
Josh Coburn started against Charlton and was then swapped out for goalscorer John Marquis at Fleetwood who himself was then replaced at half-time.
Coburn certainly looked better in Lancashire than he had done in the previous encounter and was unfortunate not to trouble the scoresheet as he struck the woodwork. But it could be time for Ryan Loft to be rewarded for his patience with a first start since January 10.
The big frontman reinvigorated Rovers’ attacking play at Fleetwood, offering all his physicality, work rate and strong positional sense, allowing others to prosper around him, and having been given sporadic cameos here and there for three months now - four times he’s played the entirety of a second half - this could well be his opportunity to impress from the start.
Derby possess two excellent young centre-backs in Eiran Cashin and Jake Rooney but having the power of Loft crashing into them at every opportunity, as opposed to Coburn looking to run in behind, could be just the recipe for Rovers to get something from this game.
Bristol Rovers (4-2-3-1): James Belshaw; Luca Hoole, James Connolly, Lewis Gibson, Lewis Gordon; Lamare Bogarde, Grant Ward; Scott Sinclair, Sam Finley, Aaron Collins; Ryan Loft
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