Bristol Rovers are in fine form after three straight League One wins, but the coming weeks will truly "show what they are made of". That is the view of ITV's EFL pundit Sam Parkin.
The former Swindon Town striker has been impressed by the upturn in form for Joey Barton's side, with Aaron Collins catching the eye as he took his goal tally for the season to eight in Saturday's 4-1 rout of Cheltenham Town. Collins fired a first-half brace at Whaddon Road as the Gas surged into a 4-0 lead at the interval.
The 25-year-old leads the league for goal involvements excluding penalties, continuing his fine form in Rovers' promotion last season, prompting calls for him to be considered for Wales' World Cup squad. Parkin believes the former Forest Green Rovers striker is a real asset for Barton, offering a dynamic threat in multiple positions.
With an injury crisis in defence overcome, the Gas have beaten Cambridge United, MK Dons and Cheltenham inside the past 10 days to climb out of the relegation zone and up to 11th in the standings. Parkin believes Barton's squad is in a good place, although he believes the coming weeks will be the acid test for the Gas. They face league leaders Plymouth Argyle at the Mem on Saturday, with trips to promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County following soon after.
"I think he’s got great options now, especially in the forward areas," Parkin said on ITV's EFL highlights show. "Josh Coburn didn’t play, Aaron Collins and Ryan Loft were the duo up top, and Collins has 14 goal involvements in 14 games. Thinking back to the end of last season, he was a big part of their promotion with the way he finished.
"He’s a bit of a livewire, you can play him in midfield at the top of the diamond and you can play him right up top.
"He produced the goods and after being a bit too experimental in that defeat to Lincoln a few weeks ago, Joey Barton has got a bit more of a settled lineup now. They have won some really important matches, but they have a really tough run to come and we’ll see exactly what they’re made of in the next few weeks."
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