Another season is in the books for Bristol Rovers and this one may not live too long in the memory, but it could be a crucial one nonetheless as Joey Barton hopes to lay the foundations for something bigger and better in the weeks and months ahead.
A 21st defeat brought the curtain down on a gruelling season for the Gas as play-off-bound Bolton Wanderers edged an entertaining game free of pressure on either side. Rovers' place in League One for next season had long been secured; the Trotters hope their future lies out of the third tier in the Championship, but with a top-six place already in their possession, there was little on the line on Sunday.
The low stakes did not detract from the entertainment in front of a 10,000-strong crowd at the Mem. May 7 was a day for Hollywood scripts a year previously and 12 months on, events in BS7 could never compare, but it was watchable nonetheless as the ever-impressive Luca Hoole cancelled out Manchester United talent Shola Shoretire's opener before the break.
After the pause, Rovers were eager to finish on a high, but it was Bolton who finished in style to prepare for a play-off clash with Barnsley. Dan Nlundulu struck against the run of play with 20 minutes left and Aaron Morley whipped a third in soon after. John Marquis netted to make it interesting but Scott Sinclair's would-be equaliser rebounded off the bar deep into stoppage time as the Gas finished on a flat note, ending in 17th place.
Their form has fluctuated significantly throughout the season, starting slowly amid injury woes before clicking into gear in the autumn, only to sputter after the turn of the year and although they finished well clear of the relegation zone – their primary aim after being promoted from League Two – it has been an unsatisfying year for Barton.
He faces a significant summer if Rovers are to make the leap from also-rans that flirted with the leading pack briefly before succumbing to the relentless pace of a 46-game marathon into genuine contenders for the top six.
Yet after several chaotic years in succession – with managerial changes, a curtailed season, massive turnover of players and staff, a miserable relegation and an unforgettable promotion – perhaps an unremarkable year in midtable is what the club needs to steady itself as Barton vies to kick on next term.
The campaign in brief
The final week of the season provided a compendium of the 2022/23 iteration of Bristol Rovers. Promising moments were outweighed by poor defending as their flaws stayed with them to the last.
In defeats against Shrewsbury Town and then Bolton, the Gas did plenty of good things but it was the basics where they were outdone by their opponents.
Set pieces all season have been the Achilles heel of a youthful defence that conceded 73 goals over the course of the 46 games – the fifth-worst record in the division. Only rock-bottom Forest Green Rovers (21) conceded more goals from set plays than the 20 shipped by Rovers this season, with that tally increasing on Sunday as Morley's seemingly innocuous corner was prodded on at the front post by Gethin Jones before being finished off by Shoretire in the six-yard box.
Dealing with set plays and long balls is a massive part of the game at any level and Rovers have been behind the curve all season. Nlundulu's go-ahead goal 20 minutes from time was the product of a big punt forward and Rovers losing the battle for the first and second contact. The result was time and space for the Southampton loanee to size up a shot for the bottom corner and he duly found it.
Seven minutes later, the lead was doubled as Morley struck a beauty from range, leaving poor James Belshaw rooted. He will not miss the sight of screamers flying past his head over the next month or two having shipped so many unstoppable strikes this season.
All of this happened after a strong phase in the game for the Gas. They were the team looking most likely after they had levelled and they started the second half on the front foot. But as has been the case for much of the second half of this season, converting their significant share of possession into clear-cut chances has been challenging.
Still, you can never question this group's character. Every game has been approached with complete commitment, even across a disappointing final month of the campaign when Rovers have had nothing to play for. Quality and solidity have been lacking, but they dig deep and Marquis set up a grandstand finish with a poacher's goal from close range with five to play.
At the death, the chance to level arrived, only for Scott Sinclair to strike the crossbar after brilliant work from Aaron Collins. Rovers had been good, but not quite good enough to mix it with the top-half teams consistently.
At times they have looked capable of more and a late-season slide may have skewed things a little, but 17th feels about right for Rovers' first season back in League One.
Not the season Barton wanted, but one Rovers needed
For a newly-promoted team to finish 17th in a league with a handful of big hitters and ex-Premier League clubs, well clear of the relegation zone, "failure" is not a word one would expect to be part of the lexicon.
But that was Barton's assessment of a long, hard season for Rovers. Consolidation is not good enough in the eyes of the manager, particularly after seeing his team surge into the top eight on January 7.
The 20 games that followed have been a disappointment by the high standards set in the first half of the campaign when Aaron Collins was at the peak of his powers and the goals were flowing for Coburn and Ryan Loft. A disappointing January transfer window did not bring the upgrades Barton wanted nor needed to sustain the pace they set, a leaky defence has caught up with them and key players' form faded.
A seven-game winless run to finish the season has been disappointing, too, with Rovers failing to win since the Easter Monday victory at Fleetwood Town effectively secured their place in League One for next season.
"It feels like failure this season, it feels like we’ve failed because we’re not getting promoted," Barton said. "I know that is probably not rational to think that way, but it does feel that way."
His desire for more is obvious. His post-match message on the microphone to the supporters left on the terraces hailed their support this season before quickly focusing on the next one. "This time next year, we will be challenging," he said.
So file this season among the more forgettable ones in the club's recent history – although there have been stellar contributions including Collins' League One Player of the Season award, which is a fine achievement in a middling team – but it could be the stepping stone.
It was the season Rovers needed. Stability is a precious thing in football and the Gas go into next season another year wiser with relegation comfortably avoided. They are the next step on the way to emulating Bolton and Plymouth Argyle, who are recent examples to rise from League Two and become a play-off side and champions respectively within the space of three years.
Those sides had unremarkable yet solid seasons in their first year back at the level and they kicked on with the benefit of effective recruitment to compete in the top six. And thus, a big summer awaits from the Gas.
Tough decisions have to be made and Barton will not be afraid to make them. His players will be told when they join him for a debrief in the days ahead that a repeat of this season will not be good enough.
A fine career comes to an end
With a crowd of players and staff huddled in front of the Thatchers Terrace, there was one man in the blue and white quarters standing away from the rest, still kicking a ball as he was joined by his lad on the Mem pitch.
That man was Glenn Whelan, who brought down the curtain on a fine playing career with a 15-minute cameo off the bench in which he did not misplace a pass before receiving a standing ovation as his number was raised again, this time in red.
His teammates rose from the bench and stood on the touchline to applaud a teammate, coach and mentor who receives glowing appraisals from everyone and anyone you speak to at the Mem and The Quarters. The Gasheads responded in kind and a playing career that took in 276 Premier League appearances and 92 Republic of Ireland caps.
His time with the Gas continues as a coach, but his 50 appearances for Rovers have included some important contributions, particularly his performance in that win over Scunthorpe which his manager described as "perfect" in the absence of suspended club captain Paul Coutts.
This year, the majority of his influence has been made off the pitch and he will continue to play that role next season. His wisdom has been and will continue to be invaluable to Rovers' young squad, but he has been a big player in big moments for the club, too.
Farewell
I am writing this column for the final time and although there are a lot of mixed feelings about leaving, there is no better date to go out than May 7, exactly one year on from the greatest day of my professional life, and it is hard to see it being eclipsed.
Scunthorpe on the final day, and the final three months of last season altogether, were truly remarkable and it was a privilege to share that journey with you, Gasheads.
When I started covering Rovers in 2019, I expected it to be eventful, but the drama that ensued far exceeded my imagination. Graham Coughlan's pitchside bombshell at Ipswich after my first away game was quite the way to start.
A global pandemic, three managerial changes, a grim relegation behind closed doors and the most unbelievable promotion followed, with plenty going on in between. I think it's safe to say I experienced the full spectrum that Bristol Rovers Football Club has to offer.
Thank you to the four full-time managers and all the players I have crossed paths with over my tenure. We have had our ups and downs, but I hope they think I have been fair and I feel fortunate to have shared their stories with the fans.
I have been so fortunate to work for a first-class boss in James Piercy, who is a brilliant journalist and editor and I am hugely grateful for his support, as well as the time I've spent with many other fine colleagues at the Post.
Most importantly, I want to thank you, the supporters. It has been a privilege to work for you and I hope I have added to the experience of following your team. I have ridden the rollercoaster with you and days like Port Vale, Rochdale and Scunthorpe were an absolute thrill.
Whoever becomes the Post's next Rovers reporter will begin following the club at a significant moment in its history. The team has established itself in League One with an ambitious manager, but there are financial and infrastructural challenges to overcome in the years ahead. I truly hope your stadium dreams are realised.
I wasn't a Gashead when I arrived, but I certainly am now.
UTG
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