Bristol Rovers retain a points target for the season they are yet to reach but Joey Barton is also on a observational mission over these remaining 10 games of the season as to who in this Gas squad, in his eyes, remains up to standard for next season.
Today’s opponents Portsmouth are one of eight sides the Gas will face currently above them in the table and although it’s a long shot, are still just about in the play-off conversation. Like Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday, this is an opportunity for the manager to see how his players stack up against one of the better teams in the division.
Barton has been keen to emphasise that under no circumstances can Rovers allow this season to drift away from them, which certainly is a possibility as while not mathematically safe, require those below them to go on some pretty miraculous runs to fall that low in the table.
That could, in part, explain what’s happened this week with Aaron Collins as Barton seeks to send a message to his squad that while the pressure may appear ever so slightly released, the intensity between now and May 7 simply has to remain. For should any individuals show any signs of slacking off, that could begin to impact their futures in BS7.
Here’s how we think Rovers will line up against Pompey at the Mem…
Goalkeeper and defence
James Belshaw is expected to keep the gloves having started the last four fixtures and although he will have been annoyed to have been beaten at his near post by Brandon Hanlan on Tuesday, Barton essentially admonished his goalkeeper of any blame by declaring it something of a hit-and-hope finish from the former Gas striker.
Ellery Balcombe remains the alternative between the posts but, while conceding twice to the Chairboys, Belshaw also made some strong saves in the game and remains the man in possession of the shirt.
In front of the 32-year-old, does Barton opt for a three or four-man defence? He started with the former and ended with the latter against Wycombe, but that was also in-part generated by his desire to get three strikers on the pitch, something they probably won’t start with against Pompey.
You’d imagine sticking to his three-man system for two reasons, firstly because it served them well at Forest Green and, for the most part, the Wycombe game in which a very strong argument can be made that Rovers were the better side for large parts.
There’s also the expected return of Luca Hoole, which enables James Connolly to return to the bench after another uncomfortable appearance for the 21-year-old who is struggling a bit for form and confidence. Assuming Hoole has overcome his illness and completed two days of training with no residual effects, the young Welshman should be on the right with Jarell Quansah inside and Lewis Gibson, a candidate to be handed the captaincy, to the left.
As for the wing-backs, Scott Sinclair was hooked at half-time but, at home, the 33-year-old seems too good to be left on the bench, so should once again line up on the right.
Lewis Gordon, meanwhile, had a decent enough game over on the left flank and should continue to keep Callum Macdonald out of the starting XI.
We should cover ourselves a bit here that Hoole is also important because, unlike Connolly, he allows Rovers to switch between a four and three-man defence mid-game, without having to make any substitutions as he could drift out to right-back, if required.
Midfield
No Sam Finley again, unfortunately, with the midfielder reporting back to The Quarters this week and still looking worse for wear so unless there’s been a miraculous recovery over the last 24 hours, the next time we see him will be against Charlton Athletic on Good Friday.
Paul Coutts, Josh Grant - who was at the game on Tuesday among the squad - and Jordan Rossiter are all out with knee injuries, which further limits Barton’s options in the middle of the pitch and unless he turns to the veteran presence of Glenn Whelan, the out-of-favour Luke McCormick or hands Jerry Lawrence a shock debut, then it’ll be Grant Ward and Lamare Bogarde as the holding pair.
Ward was Rovers’ best player against Wycombe and although he keeps it almost painfully simple, his positioning and efficiency in possession and much-needed in keeping the Gas’ shape together.
The advanced midfield role is the real talking point of the day because, in normal circumstances, we’d be naming Aaron Collins and moving on, with Antony Evans and McCormick on the bench.
However, when the question was put to Barton if the forward would be fit to face Pompey, having picked up a couple of knocks on Tuesday, he shot back with a very loaded, “He’ll be fine, it’s just whether I pick him, that’s the reality of it.”
For those waking up today unaware of the last five days, Collins has had the captaincy removed for an “effort error” against Wycombe in which he ducked out of an aerial challenge, an heinous act in the eyes of his manager.
Added to that was that Collins’ performance over the 90 minutes wasn’t of his usual high standards and the manager has indicated outside influences have affected his concentration, while the fact remains he’s played more football than anyone else in this squad this season.
Not so long ago dropping the Welshman would be seen as unthinkable; it’s still that to some extent, but there could also be some justification from the manager due to his own very defined disciplinary rules and/or fatigue.
We can’t speak for the former, although Collins has apologised which will unquestionably help his cause, but the postponement of the Shrewsbury Town game means that Rovers have a near three-week break after this match, which is ample time for their top scorer to recharge his batteries.
His spark, energy and guile is a huge part of this Rovers team and, who knows, maybe the verbal kicking he’s taken this week will generate one more great performance before the period of rest.
That, unfortunately, leaves Evans on the outside looking in, which could be perceived as a little unfair because, unlike Collins, he did add something when he emerged off the bench on Tuesday, but the Scouser may just have to remain patient.
Attack
There is, of course, the provision for playing Collins back in a more orthodox striker’s role and Evans in the No10 but that then involves dropping one of Josh Coburn and Josh Marquis, and both have been playing well enough of late to retain their places in the team.
Yes, Coburn’s missed chances were frustrating but the fact the 20-year-old - who is without a goal for 10 games - got into the necessary positions is reason enough to suggest he’s worth retaining as the runs he made off the ball and his overall aggression was delivered with the sort of purpose we became accustomed to during his purple spell patch before the turn of the year.
Marquis didn’t have the same potency and, if one of them had to be dropped, it’d probably be the 30-year-old but his contribution over the last month has been such that it seems a little knee-jerk.
Plus there’s the small matter of him undoubtedly being fired up to face his former team, with a sizeable point to prove to the Pompey fanbase following a disappointing end to his time on the south coast. A narrative you can imagine Barton very much tapping into.
Based on that equation then, Ryan Loft will have to bide his time before he’s back in a starting role, although that frantic end to the season beyond the international break will surely provide some opportunities for the targetman.
Bristol Rovers (3-4-1-2): James Belshaw; Luca Hoole, Jarell Quansah, Lewis Gibson; Scott Sinclair, Grant Ward, Lamare Bogarde, Lewis Gordon; Aaron Collins; John Marquis, Josh Coburn
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