The EFL unveiled its League Two Team of the Season on Sunday night and not a single Bristol Rovers player made the cut.
Unsurprisingly, already-promoted Forest Green Rovers had three inclusions, with full-back Kane Wilson also winning the player of the year prize. Both Swindon Town and Newport County had two players recognised and there was representation from Northampton Town, Tranmere Rovers, Salford City and Exeter City.
But Joey Barton's Gas, who have surged into fifth place thanks to a brilliant run of form since mid-December, saw several players with strong cases for inclusion snubbed. Connor Taylor was nominated for League Two Young Player of the Season, but the centre-back lost out to Newport's Aston Villa loanee Finn Azaz.
Twenty-year-old Taylor has been outstanding for the Gas in his first EFL season, making 40 appearances in all competitions and establishing himself as a cornerstone of Barton's team. The Stoke City loanee must have been close to making team of the season.
Gasheads have also vented frustration that other Rovers players were not named among the division's best XI, with dependable goalkeeper and eight-goal, nine-assist playmaker Antony Evans missing out. Here is what some had to say...
Gary M: "When did they do this team, January? James Belshaw was absolutely robbed."
Ben Tucker: "Poor that. Taylor should have been a dead cert IMO."
Marcus: "I agree with the three FGR players and Dom Telford, but that's all."
Nick White: "Not a single Rovers player in this, are you joking? Top of the form table since the halfway point of the season and we’re not represented on this at all? Not a single player? Seems a bit daft."
Sammy: "Belshaw, Taylor and Evans all should be in this team.
LB: "No Belshaw, what a joke."
Benji Deane: "Belshaw not making the team is a travesty. Same with Taylor."
Grandad Gas: "Keeper must be a bit special to beat Belly."
BRFCMax: "Do Bristol Rovers play basketball?"
The team of the season was unveiled at the EFL's annual awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House.
Jon Guthrie's inclusion at the back is deserved, with Northampton topping the clean sheet charts and adding an impressive eight goals from centre-back, and while Jordan Turnbull and Peter Clarke have been impressive, Taylor's average rating from WhoScored is greater than the latter (7.12 vs 7.09).
In midfield, Evans and Azaz play similar roles yet the Gas star has missed out despite more goals (8 vs 6) and assists (9 vs 6) and a better WhoScored rating (7.2 vs 6.97).
Belshaw, meanwhile, is rated as WhoScored's second-best goalkeeper behind Jojo Wollacott, but the Gas shot-stopper has more clean sheets and a higher save percentage (76.2 vs 75.2), according to FBREF.
WhoScored ratings are based on statistics curated from each game. The EFL uses the metric to determine its official team of the week for each division.
Former Gas keeper Lee Nicholls, who joined on loan from Wigan Athletic in 2015/16, was named in the Championship Team of the Season for his efforts in goal at Huddersfield Town.
League Two team of the season: Jojo Wollacott (Swindon); Jon Guthrie (Northampton), Peter Clarke (Tranmere), Jordan Turnbull (Salford); Kane Wilson (Forest Green), Tim Dieng (Exeter), Finn Azaz (Newport), Nicky Cadden (Forest Green); Harry McKirdy (Swindon), Dom Telford (Newport), Matty Stevens (Forest Green).
SIGN UP: For our newsletter to receive more exclusive Bristol Rovers content
