The good vibes are flowing at Bristol Rovers with the Christmas season upon us and Joey Barton and his players hope to bring more festive cheer with three points at Wycombe Wanderers on Boxing Day.
The Gas have taken an impressive 11 points from a possible 15 in their past five games, propelling them to ninth in League One and within three points of the play-off places, albeit having played a game or two more than the teams around them.
At Adams Park, they will face a team with just one more point to their name, with Gareth Ainsworth's side occupying seventh spot, and it promises to be a competitive clash between two in-form teams in Buckinghamshire this afternoon.
John Marquis' brilliant brace off the bench at Charlton Athletic last time out means he is pushing for a place in Barton's starting XI, but injuries will influence the manager's selection process with a few players unavailable for the trip to Adams Park. Here is how the Gas could line up this afternoon...
What XI would you select for today's game? Have your say in the comments section below...
Goalkeeper and defence
James Belshaw's saves in the first half at Charlton were crucial, keeping the Gas within touching distance despite being off the pace early doors, and the goalkeeper's work was rewarded when Rovers stormed in front in the second half. The number one's place in the team is under no threat and he will start at Wycombe, with Anssi Jaakkola offering backup on the bench.
There are some questions for Barton to ponder when it comes to his back three. James Connolly was withdrawn at half time at The Valley on December 17 after feeling ill before the game, and Luca Hoole impressed greatly as a second-half substitute.
But with Connolly back to full fitness, he will likely be retained in the starting XI given how highly Barton rates him, meaning Hoole will have to drop to the bench.
Connolly will play as the middle centre-back in the trio, with Bobby Thomas and Lewis Gibson's spots to the right and left of him respectively secure thanks to their excellent recent form.
Scott Sinclair enjoyed the chance to play in midfield in the second half at Charlton, but he will likely be needed as right wing-back again on Boxing Day, with Lewis Gordon sure to keep his place on the other flank with Trevor Clarke out injured.
James Gibbons and Alfie Kilgour are likely to make the bench.
Midfield
Barton stated his preference to play with three men in midfield away from home after the Charlton game, so he can be expected to do the same against Wycombe.
The absence of Jordan Rossiter for a couple more months will sting for the Gas, but Barton hopes to have midfield maestro Sam Finley back after missing three games with a calf injury.
With Finley set to be available, he will likely start on the left of a trio, with Antony Evans to the right and captain Paul Coutts sitting deeper. That would mean Luke McCormick dropping to the bench after he started at The Valley before being substituted in the second half.
Glenn Whelan played out the closing stages at Charlton and the veteran midfielder could be asked to do a similar job again. Zain Westbrooke is also available but is unlikely to make the cut.
Attack
John Marquis could not have done any more in the lead-up to Christmas to convince Barton to hand him a start in a league game, scoring doubles against MK Dons and Charlton – as a sub – in the EFL Trophy and League One respectively. However, if the manager chooses to beef up his midfield from the start again, Marquis could be asked to perform the "finisher" role once more, giving the manager the chance to pivot to a three-man attack if and when required.
Josh Coburn and Aaron Collins have become the first-choice partnership and deservedly so. They will start together again on Boxing Day, with Harvey Saunders available as another option to consider from the bench.
Ryan Loft has missed the past six games with a combination of injury and illness and Barton confirmed on Friday that the big striker is back in contention having trained. However, it's hard to see how he displaces the strikers who have since overtaken him in the hierarchy and he's likely to be on the bench.
Harry Anderson, too, has missed plenty of action in recent weeks and, in Barton's words, "has a sniff" of making the squad but with plenty of options in his matchday 18, the versatile winger may just be held back for the Exeter City or Cheltenham Town games later in the week.
Rovers (3-5-2): James Belshaw; Bobby Thomas, James Connolly, Lewis Gibson; Scott Sinclair, Antony Evans, Paul Coutts (c), Sam Finley, Lewis Gordon; Josh Coburn, Aaron Collins.
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