After an impressive October ended with defeat at Derby County, Bristol Rovers kick off a new month with a new competition as they host Rochdale at the Mem in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Gas manager Joey Barton knows the value of this competition, both in its prestige and the impact it can have on a team's league form, with last year's incredible replay win over Oxford United helping to spark the surge that led Rovers' to promotion.
Barton's options are depleted for this game, though, with the injury list starting to grow again and Middlesbrough deciding they do not want loan striker Josh Coburn to feature in the FA Cup to prevent him from being cup-tied.
