Bristol Rovers enter the final day of the League Two season with automatic promotion still to play for and Joey Barton has multiple tactical options at his disposal.
The task for Rovers, initially, is straightforward. They must defeat already-relegated Scunthorpe United at the Mem on Saturday to be in a position to pounce on any dropped points by promotion rivals Northampton Town. But if Northampton are on course for victory at Barrow, the Gas could go for broke in a bid to overturn the five-goal advantage the Cobblers have on goal difference.
In that scenario, the manager's decisions from his office before the game and the dugout during the match, therefore, will be pivotal, and while he will be without club captain Paul Coutts through suspension, Barton has plenty of options he could choose in pursuit of glory. Here is how Rovers could line up this afternoon...
What XI would you select for today's huge game? Have your say in the comments section below...
Goalkeeper and defence
James Belshaw will make his 42nd league appearance of a superb season for the Gas on Saturday, starting in goal with eyes on adding to his tally of 16 clean sheets. Anssi Jaakkola will offer backup on the bench.
Three starters in the back four are certain, with Connor Taylor and James Connolly sure to be the centre-halves, while Luca Hoole will be the right-back.
On the left, Barton has options. Josh Grant started there at Rochdale but was substituted before half-time with the manager admitting he had perhaps rushed the player back from injury too soon. Grant could be in contention to start, as could Nick Anderton and Trevor Clarke.
But this feels like an occasion to be both aggressive yet trusting in key players. Harry Anderson fits that criteria and he has played plenty at left-back this season. Fielding Anderson at left-back could give Barton the chance to get an extra attacking threat on the pitch without upsetting the balance of his side.
Alfie Kilgour will miss out through injury, while Cian Harries is an option for the bench if required.
Midfield
Barton was quick to admit Paul Coutts' absence due to a four-game suspension was a "blow" for Rovers, but he is blessed to have a player of the experience of Glenn Whelan to slot in at the base of midfield in place of the influential captain. The manager hinted he could take an aggressive approach in the immediate aftermath of the Rochdale win, but while Rovers may need a goal rush, they also need cool heads to get the job done on Saturday. Whelan certainly provides that.
Sam Finley and Antony Evans will be tasked with breaking down Scunthorpe's defences and dictating the tempo of the game from the middle of the park, with Elliot Anderson sure to retain his place on the left flank. He is doubtless hoping this will be the last game of his Rovers stint with the Gas getting the job done, and he will want to go out in style if that is the case.
On the other side, Luke Thomas could come into the XI to make a rare start after a series of impactful cameos as a substitute.
The Gas are sure to have plenty of strength on the bench, with Sam Nicholson, Alex Rodman, Jon Nolan and Sion Spence among the players who could be called upon.
Attack
Aaron Collins made a stunning return to scoring form at Rochdale with a heroic second-half hat-trick to rescue Rovers and give the Gas a real chance of automatic promotion on the final day. Rovers' top scorer, certainly, will keep his place in the side as the lone striker.
On the bench, Ryan Loft will hope to get on the pitch against his former club, with Harvey Saunders also vying for a seat in the dugout. Leon Clarke, however, is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury.
Rovers (4-1-4-1): Belshaw; Hoole, Taylor, Connolly, H Anderson; Whelan; Thomas, Evans, Finley, E Anderson; Collins.
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