What had the makings of one of the more intense matches Bristol Rovers have played in the EFL Trophy since Premier League clubs tampered with the tournament seven years ago ended up being a damp squib as Plymouth Argyle put an end to any Wembley dreams.
Ben Waine and Ryan Hardie scored the first-half goals that put Rovers on the brink in this quarter-final at the Mem on Tuesday, and despite some second-half spirit from the Gas it is League One leaders Argyle who are one step closer on the road to Wembley.
With the many storylines behind this fixture and the interwoven connections between the squads and coaching units, a high-octane clash seemed a surety but Rovers rarely found a flow, getting bogged down on a sodden pitch that has been battered by the never-ending deluge in recent weeks; a 3,742-strong crowd were never quite engaged in a
Unlike in their efforts in the league, they could not muster the momentum required to make a dent in a two-goal deficit. They had come back from the same scoreline against Plymouth in the league meeting in October, but the stars of that show were not on the pitch and the men in their place could not make it happen as Rovers' pursuit of a big day out fizzled out.
Barton's cautious calculation
No player wants to lose any game, even in this competition which has failed to make any significant traction in getting supporters onside since the introduction of under-21 teams. But most managers would not be too upset if their EFL Trophy journey did not last beyond the group stage.
However, Rovers' second string, with the occasional cameo from the pillars of the first team, navigated their way to the quarter-final, just two wins from Wembley. Opportunities to play at the national stadium are few and far between for most players and at this point, the Gas had to take the chance seriously.
Barton was well within his right to make six changes to the XI that won at Cambridge United on Saturday, but with all of them placed on the bench, it appeared he had not one ace but several up his sleeve to draw on in the second half if required.
But it was the seventh man in the dugout, Harvey Saunders, who was the only one to appear, making a good impact after being introduced as a second-half substitute. The rest – Aaron Collins, Josh Coburn, Scott Sinclair et al – had the night off, despite the fact Rovers were chasing a game that they ultimately lost 2-0.
First-team coach Andy Mangan provided some context in his post-match press conference, explaining that there were knocks and niggles that had to come into consideration. Coupled with the state of the pitch – upon which Cheltenham Town defender Lewis Freestone suffered a serious knee injury on New Year's Day – and the fact that Argyle had a two-goal cushion, it was deemed a risk too far to bring them on.
Of course, the league campaign has to be Rovers' bread and butter, particularly with their chances of making the play-offs alive with 20 games to play, and Barton will be fully vindicated if a freshened Collins and Coburn wreak havoc against Accrington Stanley on Saturday to deliver a third straight league win.
But Wembley days out are rare and there is no doubt the introduction of more substitutes, given the quality on the bench, would have given Rovers a better chance of getting back into the game and reaching the semi-final.
However, although Rovers have shown they can fight back from deficits, it was not a given that even their star men could have turned this game around, with building momentum and piecing together attacks proving extremely difficult in the conditions. It seems the coaching staff came to the conclusion that it would be a low-percentage gamble, with the potential for significant consequences.
What is worth more to Rovers at the moment, a fully fit and firing Collins – valued in the millions – for example, or a 50/50 chance of a Wembley final, if they were able to complete an already unlikely comeback, with an increased risk of injury? It is a difficult question to answer but it seems Barton chose the certainty of his prized assets being fit to fight another day with the league campaign still full of opportunity.
Confirming what we already know
As a result of the changes, it was a chance for some players who have not started regularly to stake a claim, but it was a hard night for anyone to look at their best with the ball often bypassing the midfield – it certainly was not an aesthetically pleasing game.
With Plymouth changing the majority of their XI from the previous game, too, it may have seemed a level playing field, but the difference between a team at the top of the third tier and a team that is upwardly mobile after promotion was clear.
Plymouth were able to hand out full debuts to new signings Waine, Callum Wright and Jay Matete, showcasing the depth Stephen Schumacher has amassed at Home Park. At least on the evidence of this game, the drop-off as a result of the changes was more significant for the Gas, confirming what we already know.
Barton has the foundations of a very good squad in place, with an attack most teams would trade for, but there is a need to strengthen this month.
Another pair of soft goals despite Lewis Gibson being the only member of the first-choice back three not involved emphasises the need to bolster the defensive ranks, and in midfield, there is more depth needed with 38-year-old Glenn Whelan required to play 90 minutes at a time when Barton is wanting him to focus more and more on his coaching role.
None of this is news, but it was another demonstration of the work that needs to be done in the market.
Throwback Tuesday
For Gasheads of a certain vintage, all this talk about the pitch may start winding them up. Of course, decades ago, pitches were much, much worse than what Rovers have had to deal with in BS7 in recent weeks.
Tuesday's game was something of a throwback, both in optics and, to a certain extent, in the action. The usually immaculate green grass browned by the minute as the surface was sliced up by the players' studs.
There were a lot of balls played from back to front and into the corners, where the ball was often holding up and staying in play – although it lacked the blood and thunder of the old-school games Rovers would have played at Eastville back in the day.
In a snapshot, it may have looked like a game from a bygone era, although it did not quite feel like it.
Unsung heroes
The groundstaff at the Mem have been put in an impossible position by the awful weather in recent weeks, with no escape for the pitch from the unrelenting downpours of December and January. Both Barton and Mangan have suggested there may be a drainage issue to boot.
So it may not be the carpet they usually turn out, but they deserve huge credit nonetheless. There has been enough rain in recent weeks to put paid to the games against Exeter City, Cheltenham Town and Plymouth Argyle, but all three have gone ahead as planned thanks to their tireless efforts.
Covers borrowed from Gloucestershire County Cricket club down Gloucester Road were required to keep this game from falling to the weather, and right up to kick-off the groundstaff were hard at work clearing any standing water to get the game on
Rovers do not play at home now for the best part of a fortnight, giving much-needed time for the surface to heal before the visit of Wycombe Wanderers later this month. Here's hoping for an improvement in the weather to make life a bit easier after a hugely challenging period.
Barton must be wishing for the same thing, too. The true surface usually seen at the Mem suits their strengths much more than how it is playing at the moment.
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