Bristol Rovers' search for form continues with a trip to Exeter City on Saturday, with Joey Barton's Gas desperate to end a seven-game winless run in League One. There is plenty of added spice when the Gas and Grecians meet in Devon this afternoon, which Barton making clear his simultaneous dislike and respect for Exeter and their coaching staff.
The bad blood has led the narrative going into the game, but the story that matters is the one that will be told by 5pm this evening. With eight points from 10 games, it is reasonable to expect Rovers to improve with their injury issues starting to relent, but Rovers do not want to give themselves too much catching up to do.
While Barton shared a positive update on his quartet of defenders at Thursday's press conference, plus Josh Coburn will link up with the Gas soon, but none of them are available to feature today. The only likely addition to Barton's options is Luca Hoole after missing last week's defeat to Accrington Stanley while on international duty with Wales under-21s.
Exeter, meanwhile, have made a strong start in League One after being promoted last season, with the Grecians 10th in the table. Here is how Rovers could line up for the challenge at St James Park this afternoon...
What XI would you select? Have your say in the comments section below...
Goalkeeper and defence
James Belshaw endured a horrid experience at St James Park last season, with his defence crumbling in front of him as Exeter romped into a 4-0 lead. The goalkeeper will hope to banish those memories with a positive result today. Anssi Jaakkola will provide cover from the bench.
In front of him, Hoole's return could signal the return to back four. Barton has been aggressive with his tactics and demands to play out from the back in recent weeks, but ahead of the game he has hinted Rovers will be more pragmatic this afternoon, moving the ball forward from back to front quickly, reducing Exeter's opportunities to press from the front.
If it is a four, Hoole will be the right-back, with Alfie Kilgour and Bobby Thomas the obvious candidates to play in the centre. On the left side, Lewis Gordon and Trevor Clarke are Barton's available options. Gordon is the stronger defender and he could get the nod as a result.
Lewis Gibson and James Gibbons could be in contention for the Cambridge United game in a week's time, but they will miss out today as they complete their rehab after calf and foot injuries respectively. James Connolly and Josh Grant are also ruled out.
Midfield
Barton is yet to find the right midfield formula this season. In some ways, it is a good kind of problem in that he has a wide variety of options to fill two or three spots in his team, but he is yet to find the same balance and cohesion that he enjoyed last season.
Jordan Rossiter can be considered a strong starting contender thanks to his tenacity in the centre of the park, but with the 25-year-old short of minutes after his three-match ban Barton could revert back to a formula from last season. Paul Coutts and Sam Finley bring attacking and defensive qualities, as well as masses of experience and this feels like a game for the trusted midfield duo.
Further forward, there could be a recall for Antony Evans. A star of last season, the Scouser has not hit form yet this term, but there has been misfortune with the woodwork denying him twice in the past three games and doubtless Barton is backing him to come good. Rovers got the best from him in the final third last year and this could be a chance to get him in the number 10 role.
Luke McCormick, Rossiter and Glenn Whelan, as a result, could be on the bench. Jerry Lawrence and Zain Westbrooke are also options for the manager.
Attack
Aaron Collins is a certain starter for the Gas this afternoon, although he could pop up in a number of positions. He may start from the left in this game, although he will regularly drift into the centre and to the other side.
On the opposite wing, Sylvester Jasper is pushing for a start after four brief appearances from the bench and he offers different qualities to other players in Rovers' squad, with his flair and tricky dribbling, but Harry Anderson could be the man to get the nod on the flank due to his ability to track back and defend as well as raid forward.
In the middle, Ryan Loft is the man in possession with four goals so far this season and he is likely to keep John Marquis out of the starting XI again. Harvey Saunders is likely to make the bench.
Rovers (4-2-3-1-): Belshaw; Hoole, Thomas, Kilgour, Gordon; Coutts (c), Finley; Anderson, Evans, Collins; Loft.
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