Joey Barton admits there will be no love lost when Bristol Rovers and Exeter City meet at St James Park on Saturday. There is bad blood between the dugouts dating back to last season and although Barton is eager to get one over on the Grecians, he says he respects the job Matt Taylor has done.
Both Rovers and Exeter were promoted from League Two last season, although it was Saturday's hosts that dominated two of the three meetings, racing into four and five-goal first-half leads in the respective league and EFL Trophy games in Devon in 2021. The third game between the sides ended 1-1 at the Mem, with both teams finishing in the top three.
But it is Exeter who have made the better start in the third tier. Continuity has been key for Taylor's side, who are 10th in the table after romping to a 4-0 win in front of the Sky Sports cameras at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday. Rovers, meanwhile, are 21st following a seven-game winless run that has been underpinned by injuries.
