Joey Barton will be going trophy hunting of a different kind over the next week as the Bristol Rovers manager sees this next trio of imposing fixtures as a chance to make a statement in the division and test the fortitude and character of his young squad.
Rovers host Plymouth Argyle at the Mem on Saturday followed by a trip to Hillsborough on Wednesday to take on third-placed Sheffield Wednesday in a game live on Sky Sports, with the trilogy then completed by a visit to Derby County next weekend.
They are marquee matches, and a reminder of the step up in gravitas from League Two to League One, but with five straight wins behind them in all competitions, and confidence surging through the squad, Barton sees each game as an opportunity.
