A huge day awaits in not only for Bristol Rovers but in the managerial career of Joey Barton. Promotion at the first attempt after a meek relegation is tantalisingly close, but the Gas boss insists there is no sense of apprehension, only excitement as the final day looms.
The Gas face Scunthorpe United at a sold-out Mem on Saturday with half an eye on matters at Holker Street where promotion rivals Northampton Town face Barrow. Barton's blues and the Cobblers are locked on 77 points ahead of League Two's final day, with Jon Brady's side holding an advantage of five on goal difference.
If Rovers pounce on any slips from Northampton, or the Gas better their rivals' winning margin by five goals, they will snatch the final automatic promotion spot. With tickets nigh on impossible to come by less than 48 hours from kick-off, Barton insists he is relishing the moment.
"Nerves about what?" he replied when asked about his frame of mind on Thursday. "Nerves are if you haven’t got enough money in your bank to pay your direct debits, that’s nerves.
"A chance to get promoted on the last game of the season is what we’ve worked tirelessly for since we went to Bisham Abbey on the first day.
"For me, it’s lovely because of all the criticism I’ve had over the journey and the periods of self-doubt and the struggle you go through as a coach when you haven’t got your team firing on all cylinders.
"To then have the group turn into what it’s turned into and the supporters buy into the team in the level they have, watching young players develop, I’m buzzing.
"I can’t wait to get in the stadium on Saturday. I’m excited for it and no matter what happens, we’ve won. We’ve got a great group, a fantastic football team that plays football with a bit of panache and style and the fans have bought into it."
Rovers are in with a shout on the final day thanks to a miraculous 4-3 comeback win at Rochdale last Saturday. That result was symbolic of the Pirates' season, overcoming a disjointed, dismal start to hit top gear on the home straight.
Barton senses the changing mood in the air around the city. "You can’t get a ticket," he said. "I had a fella, I had breakfast in Clifton this morning and I’m pretty sure he was faking the phone conversation he was on.
"I could hear him and he was desperate to make contact with me in some way, but didn’t want to interrupt me so he was on the phone to his mate and was surprised to see me, although I think he did four laps of the road beforehand.
"He was just so excited to tell me he’d got two tickets and he pulled them out of his pocket saying ‘I’ve got two tickets!’ For me, that’s job satisfaction. That is what you do it for because you want to please the people whose football club this is.
"It’s the fans’ football club and without the fans, we’re just another team. Forest Green promoted, Exeter promoted and we have a chance on Saturday to be in that third spot along with Northampton."
Tensions have brewed between Barton and Cobblers boss Brady, with the latter unimpressed by the Rovers boss' comments after a 1-0 win for the Gas at Sixfields in March.
Barton said Northampton, who were relegated out of League One with the Gas last season, will be fully deserving of their promotion if they complete their business in Cumbria on Saturday. But regardless of the outcome, Barton remains confident his side will reach the third tier whatever route they have to take.
"If they (Northampton) manage to get it, fair play to them," Barton said. "I know Col Calderwood there, I think he’s a top fella. Not massively keen on the manager, but Col’s a top fella, and they’ll deserve to get the job done.
"They got relegated with us last year, so you have to give them enormous credit for turning their fortunes around.
"It might be the play-offs, it might be Swindon, it might be Ben Garner again, who knows? But whoever it is, we fear absolutely nobody. Whoever wants it, we’ll have it.
"If we can get it done on Saturday, great. If not, we’ll have a two-legged semi-final and we’ll see where that takes us. If we’re lucky enough to get to Wembley, I’m pretty sure we’ll sell our allocation and we’ll have our army in there. The players will then see how well supported this football club is.
"The Gas are coming. I’ve been saying it. It will be nice for me because I’ll not seem like a lunatic after that GIF you lot put out after the Exeter game where I said we’ll get promoted.
"In the many conferences I’ve had, I don’t know why lads but I was saying to you at my lowest ebb that I feel like we’re going to get promoted. I still don’t feel that our race is run this season, and we’re right on it."
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