In the space of a few difficult weeks, the mood has significantly changed for Bristol Rovers, who aim to halt a three-game League One losing streak when they travel to Sincil Bank to face Lincoln City this afternoon.
Joey Barton is searching for solutions to a sudden loss of form in the past month, which has seen the Gas slip out of play-off contention and into the bottom half of the table.
Nevertheless, a positive result against the Imps this afternoon will go a long way to settling things down and getting Rovers back on track, but Barton will be without a key player in midfield due to suspension. Here is how the Gas could line up this afternoon...
What XI would you select? Have your say in the comments section below...
Goalkeeper and defence
The debate over the goalkeeper position will take its most significant turn on Tuesday when James Belshaw is due back from a muscle injury and Ellery Balcombe's three-game starting stint – as requested by his parent club – has concluded. On Saturday, though, the Brentford loanee is certain of a place in the team, with Anssi Jaakkola likely to be his backup.
In defence, James Gibbons has been charged with improper conduct by the FA, but he has Monday to respond, so he is available for this game. However, Barton could look to make a change in his place on the right of the back four, and Harry Anderson could be the man to benefit against his former club, although Luca Hoole is also a consideration.
With Lewis Gibson still out injured, Jarell Quansah and James Connolly will start in defence, with Gibbons, Lewis Gordon and Calum Macdonald vying for the spot on the left. With Macdonald yet to make his debut, Barton may be minded to ease the deadline day signing into the fold.
Midfield
Despite not being at the top of his game, Sam Finley's three-match suspension is a significant blow for the Gas. His absence means Paul Coutts will likely keep his place despite being subbed off relatively early in the past two games.
With Coutts anchoring the midfield, Barton will debate whether to throw young deadline-day signing Lamare Bogarde in at the deep end for a full debut after a brief appearance as a substitute a week ago, or to go for more proven options.
Should he choose the latter, Grant Ward, Luke McCormick, the fit-again Antony Evans and Glenn Whelan are in the frame, it could be Ward and McCormick who get the nod with Barton searching for an effective formula in the middle of the park.
Jordan Rossiter remains sidelined after suffering another setback in his recovery from a knee injury.
Attack
Throughout the season, Rovers' strength has been in attack and the focus throughout the week has been on creating more opportunities for their match-winners to thrive.
Aaron Collins, Josh Coburn and Scott Sinclair are certain starters for Saturday's game as the Gas look to end a run of just one goal in their past three games. How they line up remains to be seen, but Barton could opt for a 4-3-3, which would get Sinclair in a more familiar position than the wing-back role he has played for much of the season.
Ryan Loft is also in contention to start if Barton is looking for more physicality up front, while John Marquis is likely to be among the substitutes.
Rovers (4-3-3): Ellery Balcombe; Harry Anderson, Jarell Quansah, James Connolly, Lewis Gordon; Grant Ward, Paul Coutts (c), Luke McCormick; Aaron Collins, Josh Coburn, Scott Sinclair.
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