Sam Finley believes Bristol Rovers have all the intangibles in place to maintain their promotion push right through to the end of the campaign.
The all-action midfielder is enjoying a fine season in the blue and white quarters, helping to drive standards while the Gas have soared to fourth place thanks to a remarkable run of form since the start of 2022. No team in the EFL or Premier League has won more games than Rovers since the turn of the year, and their record of 10 clean sheets is better than any other side in the top four divisions in that time.
Saturday's 1-0 victory at Northampton Town, a near-perfect away performance against a promotion rival, is evidence of the maturation of Joey Barton's young side, with experienced heads Finley, Paul Coutts, Glenn Whelan and Leon Clarke aiding the development of their junior.
Rovers are level on points with the automatic promotion places as a result, but the 29-year-old insists the Gas will not be getting carried away, with the nous of Coutts, Whelan and co. coming to the fore in the sprint to the finish line.
He pointed to the example of Elliot Anderson, the 19-year-old starlet on loan from Newcastle United. Not only is he shining because of his flashy contributions in the final third, but his dogged effort at Northampton showed the baseline level of graft put in by all players across the squad. Finley believes Whelan and Coutts have been a catalyst for that attitude.
"I didn’t think it was Elliot’s type of game because he couldn’t get it down and dribble past people, but again he was tracking back all day long, winning second balls for us. It just goes to show what we’ve got and with the experienced lads pushing them through in Couttsy and Whelo.
"Even though Whelo didn’t play, he makes the young lads want to get better and better every day. He keeps on the young lads and it’s a massive factor.
"Training is brilliant every day. Everyone is on it, everyone is trying to push each other. Paul Coutts and Glenn Whelan, I can’t talk about them enough.
"Whelo 38-years of age, played in the Premier League, (won) international caps all his career. He’s one of the best trainers every day. Just constantly on it on everyone every day, I can’t speak highly enough of the man.
"Paul Coutts won four promotions in his time, Glenn Whelan, James Belshaw has had a few promotions, as have I at a lower level. We’re sure to keep the young lads intact if you like, don’t let them get too excited or carried away with themselves. The experienced lads in have done it and won leagues and promotions at a lot higher level than this. So we certainly won’t be getting carried away with ourselves."
Rovers face arguably the toughest run-in of the promotion chasers, but in this rich vein of form they will fear no-one. They smashed through one of the few remaining barriers in their development by beating Northampton, a promotion rival, away from home and Finley believes that leaves the team well-positioned for final eight games.
"It’s massive," he said. "I certainly enjoy the (tougher) games (on paper). The Gaffer always says the ones you should win are the hardest to win, the ones where you go to the bottom sides in the table and people expect you to win are the toughest to win.
"But I prefer playing against the teams in and around us because I know how important they are, Saturday and like what Tranmere will be, like Forest Green is going to be and maybe Bradford with their little push going on.
"I enjoy those games a lot more. I look forward to them and I know how important the results become."
The close bonds between Barton's players are apparent, with that team spirit only enhanced by a winning day at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.
"The team spirit is brilliant," Finley added. "Twelve or 13 of us went to Cheltenham and had a great day out. The manager trusted us.
"We won the kitty on the last (race), Facile Vega. We lumped on the kitty in the last and that saw us through.
"We’ve got a big promotion to push for and if it happens we’ll have a big party at the end of the season. There is loads of time to party so we know not to go mad which none of us did.
"Obviously, we proved it on Saturday. He trusted us and we grinded out a result."
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