Pundits covering the EFL have all returned similar conclusions on where Bristol Rovers will finish in League One as the new season nears.
Joey Barton's side get their campaign underway against fellow promoted side Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, and the Gas will be confident they can start the season on the front foot with momentum on their side after their phenomenal promotion push.
That is not going to translate into a similarly thrilling campaign, according to pundits delivering their 1-24 predictions on the eve of the season. However, a consensus has emerged that at this stage – with several signings still wanted by the manager – Rovers have enough resources to consolidate their place in League One in the year ahead.
George Elek (Not The Top 20) - 18th
Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town are the promotion picks for hosts of the Not The Top 20 Podcast and EFL on Quest pundits George Elek and Ali Maxwell, with the Gas consolidating their place in the third tier by way of an 18-place finish.
Cheltenham Town, Forest Green, Port Vale and Lincoln City are the teams they believe are most likely to fall into League Two at the end of the campaign.
"Bristol Rovers come into this season with momentum coming out of their ears," Elek said. "The second half of last season was absolutely remarkable with what they achieved.
"They were fully deserving of their dramatic promotion on the final day and I'm sure they will come into this season hoping they can carry the second half of their incredible season into the new campaign and try to force themselves into a higher mid-table finish and maybe try to sneak the play-offs.
"I don't think we're going to see that. I think Elliot Anderson was the best January signing any EFL team made. Without Anderson, Bristol Rovers probably wouldn't have been promoted and as it stands from what I can tell at the moment there are quite a few Newcastle fans hoping he's going to be part of their first-team squad next season. Fair enough, they're going to miss him next season and that will be important.
"They've made a couple of really smart signings. I think John Marquis could end up being the player they thought they'd signed in Brett Pitman. If he's going to play every game in a team that plays the way Barton likes to play, then I think he can be really successful and provide more than just goals, although he will score a few.
"And I really like Roisster in the middle of the park. I think that is a very shrewd acquisition with Barton certainly recruiting in his own image."
James Richards (D3D4) - 14th
"I like Joey Barton and they've got a very good squad going up that hasn't lost much talent, and he has added to it," is the verdict of James Richards of the D3D4 Podcast, which focuses on League One and League Two.
They tip Sheffield Wednesday to be champions, with MK Dons second. Burton Albion, Forest Green, Fleetwood Town, Cheltenham predicted to finish in the drop zone.
"John Marquis is a striker who misses good chances but he has a knack of scoring them as well. He is experienced at this level and he is a good pickup for a side that create a lot of good opportunities from the likes of Antony Evans, who has signed a new deal and has been superb for them.
"I like the fact they've got James Connolly back as well, a really good young centre-back who was excellent for them last season. (James) Belshaw is still there. Sam Finley is a great player and I look forward to seeing him back in League One; they've got Aaron Collins who will score goals and create chances.
"They are just one of those teams you don't like playing against because they are good at playing good football, but they harass you, they get in behind, they've got pace. They are a side I think will do quite well.
"I know he wants to sign several more players, but if you look at the ones they've already got in the team, overall a lower mid-table finish is realistic for them. I think they will be happy with that in some respects, just to have a good consolidation season back at this level. I think they've got the squad and the manager to do that."
Gabriel Sutton (BetVictor) - 18th
Freelance EFL reporter Gabriel Sutton believes the Gas will be clear of the relegation places at the business end of the season. He has Shrewsbury Town, Cheltenham, Burton and Morecambe in the bottom four, with MK Dons and Plymouth Argyle making up the top two.
He said: "The challenge is to sustain themselves at this level and they will have to do that without two of the three key loanees from 2021-22, Connolly being the one to return. Also through the door is versatile wing-back James Gibbons, who will likely compete for the right-back slot with all-rounder Luca Hoole.
"There’s already appealing competition at left-back, where Barton has the dilemma provided by Josh Grant’s inverted intelligence, Nick Anderton’s solidity and Trevor Clarke’s attacking gusto. Striker John Marquis, meanwhile, hopes to replicate the goalscoring form he enjoyed at Doncaster after a tough three years: with the right service, the 30-year-old can bring good hold-up play on the deck and be the focal point that Aaron Collins isn’t.
"Despite his contributions in the false nine role last year, livewire Collins may drop into an attacking midfield position to link-up with the likes of turbo-runner Sam Finley and consistent all-rounder Antony Evans.
"Paul Coutts will be unable to start the campaign conducting play from the base of midfield, but Jordan Rossiter is a more than adequate alternative, so there’s a chance Bristol Rovers can take the New Year form that won them promotion into this campaign."
FourFourTwo - 16th
A theme is emerging here... The consensus has Rovers in the mix of teams that will find themselves between the midway point of the table and the dotted line above the bottom four.
Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town are tipped for promotion in this prediction, with Cheltenham, Port Vale, Fleetwood Town and Morecambe suffering relegation.
"Promoted Exeter intend to sustain themselves at this level, as do fellow south-west risers Forest Green and Bristol Rovers, who are joined by Port Vale following their emphatic play-off win at Wembley," FourFourTwo's prediction read.
"Each can take inspiration from Cambridge and Cheltenham, who secured mid-table finishes as freshly promoted clubs last term under revered figures in Mark Bonner and Michael Duff respectively."
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