Firstly, an apology. We got the predicted team for the midweek Papa Johns Trophy tie against Plymouth Argyle horribly, horribly wrong. Although there was significant mitigation with the poor weather in north Bristol meaning Joey Barton thought twice about fielding some of his more regular first-team starters.
The conditions in Accrington are likely to be challenging but given it’s a League One fixture and a game in which Rovers will feel they have an excellent chance of nudging their way towards the top six and ending their poor record against Stanley, the team selection should be a little more easy to forecast.
The Gas have never beaten their opponents at their own ground, over eight games dating back to the first meeting in 1933 but with John Coleman’s side having not won in the league since the middle of November, they have an excellent chance of addressing that statistical anomaly.
Here’s how we think Rovers will line up at the Crown Ground…
Goalkeeper and defence
Anssi Jaakkola made his sixth start of the campaign against Plymouth in midweek but it’s a given that James Belshaw will retain the gloves for the league campaign, as he has done in each of their previous times the Finn has stepped in.
Rovers have gone seven games without a clean sheet and with Barton already pinning some of that on his No1, Belshaw could do with a big performance in the north west, not just for himself but for those in front of him.
The defence is all of a sudden a deeply fascinating area for the Gas with Barton making it known in no uncertain terms what he thinks of his defence and how changes could be made over the remaining 18 days of the window, indicating he wants up to three signings in that area of the field.
This game will come too soon for that, so those that are selected have the burden of intense scrutiny on their backs but, then again, Rovers’ defensive record over the last two months, if not more, ensures that anyway.
With Lewis Gibson out for longer than initially anticipated, as Barton admitted this week, and Alfie Kilgour having departed the club on Thursday for Mansfield Town, the back three sort of picks itself with Luca Hoole likely to be on the right, Bobby Thomas in the middle and James Connolly on the left.
The only potential changes outside of that trio would be to have James Gibbons as a right-sided centre-back, but he’s more than likely required at right wing-back, or even Glenn Whelan or Paul Coutts back there. But we’re not quite at those drastic measures just yet.
That then just leaves the left wing-back role which will be between Lewis Gordon and Scott Sinclair. Gordon played there against Argyle, as Sinclair was rested, which is probably as strong an indicator as you’re going to get as to who will be stationed there today.
Midfield
Jordan Rossiter probably won’t be back until February following his knee issue and Whelan is unlikely to start two games inside a week, so Barton has a pretty straightforward decision to make at the base of midfield with Luke McCormick competing with captain Paul Coutts and Sam Finley.
McCormick was one of the few bright lights for the Gas on Tuesday and undoubtedly has placed himself in Barton’s thoughts but such is the importance of the Coutts-Finley axis, it’s hard to see the summer arrival shifting either of that pair.
The one spot that could open up for the 23-year-old is in front of that partnership in the more advanced, playmaker role. Up to now Barton has seemed slightly reluctant to deploy him there, as much due to McCormick’s inconsistencies but with Antony Evans going through a tricky spell, it’s certainly a consideration. Particularly away from home where he may want to flood the midfield and dominate not just possession but second balls and not allow the hosts to gain any momentum or rhythm through the middle of the park.
What could prove McCormick’s downfall is the potency of the Rovers front three and the fact that it’s very hard for Barton to leave anyone out from Aaron Collins, Ryan Loft and Josh Coburn.
Attack
Which brings us to the area of the pitch where it’ll more than likely be Collins tucked in behind Loft and Coburn. It was the starting trio that ensured the win over Cambridge United albeit with the Gas lacking a little in fluidity, but none of the forwards deserve to be left out.
John Marquis certainly didn’t do enough in midweek to demand re-selection and, by that logic, perhaps Loft may have damaged his chances slightly but, then again, has built up some credit in the bank and the manager will want to keep working at his developing partnership with Coburn.
The one offensively-minded player who did do himself justice at the Mem on Tuesday was Harvey Saunders with another bright cameo off the bench but with Collins as the roaming No10 and the width coming from the wing-backs, it’s hard to see where the 25-year-old fits in the starting XI at present and he’ll likely have to maintain his status as an impact substitute, should the right situation arise.
Bristol Rovers (3-4-1-2, probable): Belshaw; Hoole, Thomas, Connolly; Gibbons, Coutts, Finley, Sinclair; Collins; Loft, Coburn
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