Joey Barton was talking the talk this week and you have to say that his Bristol Rovers side are very much walking the walk; 25 points in 2022, more than any other team in League Two, and four wins from five matches to put themselves on the cusp of the play-off positions.
It's more than just bravado when the manager says that rivals in this division don't want to face his Rovers "juggernaut" because, in fairness, you'd understand why given the form book.
But Saturday's trip along the M4 represents a considerable test for the Gas, not only in outlining their promotion quality but also in challenging their mentality and the expectation as they are within one result of the top seven.
Newport County were on a bit of a tear themselves at the start of the year, winning four on the spin to reassert their position in the upper echelons of the standings but after that surge they have stalled, with one win in six - beating Tranmere Rovers 4-2 - and could very much do with a win themselves.
It promises to be a fascinating and absorbing contest and hopefully is just the first of many matches of this magnitude between now and the start of May as the Gas hunt an instant return to League One. Here's how we think they'll line up in south Wales.
Goalkeeper and defence
A slightly under-the-radar aspect of Rovers’ win on Tuesday night was James Belshaw’s brilliance in the closing stages as he effectively was as important as Antony Evans’ right boot in securing the three points, with at least two excellent saves.
It takes a huge degree of expertise and concentration to stay focused for so much of the game where you’re a complete passenger - due to Barrow’s early red card - and then to do the business when called upon. Having also had to try and keep warm in the swirling wind and rain of Horfield.
There’s absolutely no doubt Belshaw will keep his place as Anssi Jaakkola continues on the bench in what is a very strong goalkeeper department at the club.
In front of Belshaw, Barton could well keep the same back four together as started against Barrow with Luca Hoole’s impressive development continuing at a rapid pace and he really has the right-back position locked down.
Connor Taylor and James Connolly have formed a strong partnership with real chemistry growing between the pair, impressive considering they are both 20, and there’s no reason to disrupt that duo.
Barton has confirmed that Alfie Kilgour, Josh Grant and Junior Brown are all injured so, in many ways, that also makes the decision for him, with the only consideration being perhaps moving Nick Anderton inside from left-back.
But the 25-year-old was another tidy performer against Barrow, albeit with a slightly reduced threat down his flank and these sort of away-from-home situations with Rovers likely to be required to defend manfully, especially on set-pieces, needs a presence like Anderton.
Trevor Clarke could return to the squad following groin surgery and was seen leaving the Mem on Tuesday night with his teammates and in good spirits. But there is no need to throw the 23-year-old straight back into the cut and thrust of a League Two contest, so he’ll more likely be on the bench.
Midfield
This is where it gets interesting because neither Sam Finley or Paul Coutts played on Tuesday night but in the closest conception of what you’d imagine is Barton’s “best XI” both would be in it.
However, Glenn Whelan did about all he could possibly do in midweek to demand re-selection. The veteran was calm and measured in possession, strong in the tackle and brought real organisation to the Gas midfield.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 38-year-old slot back into the base of the midfield again, because he’s deserved it, but equally you sense there was always a plan to keep Finley and Coutts back for this game and Whelan, with his tremendous professionalism, will no doubt be aware of that and will act as to what’s best for the team.
Not only that but there’s also the consideration of playing him twice in rapid succession, when Crawley on Tuesday could be the perfect opportunity for his skillset and leadership to return.
Assuming Finley and Coutts return, with the latter also taking the armband, that pushes match-winner Evans into his favoured No10 role and basically leaves three players fighting for two positions either side of him: Harry and Elliot Anderson and Sam Nicholson.
The smart money says it’s the latter two given the on-loan Newcastle midfielder has been a consistent starter since originally winning his place and was, perhaps crucially, substituted with 19 minutes to go against Barrow to keep him fresh.
His namesake Harry played as a left winger and left-back in that game and you could make a case of him starting in defence, certainly that would arise if this game was at the Mem, but the need for greater security back there probably negates that and pushes Anderton’s claim.
That means he’s in a straight fight with Nicholson and the Scot is likely to shade that battle just because of the almost guaranteed x-factor he brings to take advantage of a Newport defence which has conceded 21 goals in 34 games at home - the worst record of the top 11 teams in League Two.
Attack
Similar to the theory around Finley and Coutts, it feels like Collins was held back against Barrow with a nod to this game as Rovers’ top scorer will be taking on his hometown club and where his professional career started.
Leon Clarke led the line for much of the Barrow game, with Ryan Loft then a second-half introduction off the bench alongside Collins but neither of those targetmen is likely to displace the 24-year-old as Barton looks for that dynamic, front-foot attacking impetus they’ve produced for much of this year.
It will be interesting to see therefore if Loft and Clarke both take places on the bench as with Harry Anderson a certainty to at least make the 18, Jon Nolan in reserve, Harvey Saunders, plus Luke Thomas and Sion Spence, who didn’t make the squad against Barrow, Barton has serious attacking depth and there simply isn’t room for all of them.
Bristol Rovers (4-2-3-1): Belshaw; Hoole, Taylor, Connolly, Anderton; Finley, Coutts; E. Anderson, Evans, Nicholson; Collins
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