Joey Barton’s message to his players at half-time was relatively straightforward. Bristol Rovers are not alien to the challenge of playing against 10 men this season but it was clear what faced them over the next 45 minutes.
Barrow would retreat to their 18-yard box, stay compact as a block, deny space for 1-2s in between the lines and engage in full, unfiltered and unforgiving gamesmanship; switching the takers at throw-ins, taking as long as is humanly possible to receive treatment, and losing the ability to run once your name appears on the fourth official’s substitutes board.
With Paul Farman having an inspired evening behind them, Rovers would need to be patient but also tempered with the requirement to score against the backdrop of an expectant and near fully-stocked Mem support.
