Joey Barton likes to break seasons down into 10-game blocks and the first one is in the books for Bristol Rovers, who – like last season – have started sluggishly.
Last time around, Barton's Gas were able to overcome a chastening start – 10 points after 10 games – and he will hope to repeat that trick, albeit expectations are much lower than last season's quest for promotion. In 10 games so far this season, Rovers have won just twice and accrued eight points to occupy 21st place in League One.
With little more than 20 per cent of the season complete, it is no time to panic for Rovers, particularly with several contenders for the starting XI due back from injury soon, but there is cause for concern.
