It proved a season for Bristol Rovers in which expectations grew before reality struck and the Gas ultimately ended up roughly where the consensus prediction would have been nine months ago when they kicked off against Forest Green Rovers.
Joey Barton indicated it would be a forgettable one for him personally given the lack of drama - whether that be in terms of pushing for promotion or being involved in the relegation scrap - but it remained a campaign which undulated throughout.
Although it ultimately petered out, there were moments of extreme optimism driven by some excellent performances, individually and collectively, particularly around December leading into January. That was inevitably bookended by uncertainty at the beginning and then post-winter window, which provides the manager with plenty to ponder heading into the summer.
As the curtain comes down on 2022/23, here are our individual player ratings for the season and you can add your own marks out of 10 around halfway down (for fairness, we've only scored those who made five league starts or at least 10 league appearances in total)...
James Belshaw – 6
Belshaw has been dependable for the most part with just a couple of significant errors to blot his copy book, which is pretty good going for a keeper across 37 appearances in his first season at the level. Yet he has been part of a defence which has struggled to keep clean sheets and it brought his number-one status into question. He briefly lost his place to January signing Ellery Balcombe before being restored to the XI after five games. Remains a fan favourite but fresh competition could arrive in the summer.
Ellery Balcombe - 5
Eyebrows were raised when he arrived, mainly because many supporters couldn't understand the threat to Belshaw's place but, in truth, the signing made a lot of sense. And although the loan didn't work out, in terms of making Rovers better or enhancing his own reputation (although it must be emphasised it was a tough environment for him to come into amid the very public clamour for Belshaw), it did the necessary good with the Gas No1 noticeably more secure post-Balcombe than he was in the weeks before the 23-year-old's arrival.
Luca Hoole – 7
A season of two halves and it is a testament to the Welshman’s character that he has come through the challenges of his first season in League One as a better player. Has been among Rovers’ top performers in the second half of the campaign and he heads into 2023/24 with a deeper understanding of himself and what is required to cut it at League One level.
Bobby Thomas – 5
The Burnley loanee got what he wanted out of his time at the Mem, making 19 league appearances before engineering a switch to Barnsley. Started well and posed a scoring threat, but the Gas did not get the best out of him, putting up with his growing pains, while Barton clearly wanted him to bring more leadership to the middle of the defence, before signing for the Tykes as a more experienced operator.
Lewis Gibson – 8
Rovers’ best defender all season and their worst runs of form coincided with Gibson’s spells on the sidelines with injury. The fact the Gas have won just 13 per cent of their games when the Everton centre-back hasn’t played says it all. A Championship-level player if he can enjoy a sustained run of fitness.
James Connolly – 6
Not the season he imagined after penning a permanent deal in the summer. Unlike his loan stint with Rovers in League Two, when he was ever-present, Connolly had to deal with a back injury early in the campaign and it knocked him out of his stride. His form has been inconsistent since, but he has learned a huge amount from his first year in the third tier, and is still only 21.
Jarell Quansah – 6
Joined Rovers in a difficult moment in the season with comings and goings in the January transfer window coinciding with a downturn in results for the Gas. A big prospect for Liverpool to mould, but he has often looked like a teenager in his first season of senior football, particularly in dealing with set-pieces - but that is much of a collective issue as anything. Has all the tools, most notably on the ball; consistency will come in time.
James Gibbons – 6
The right-back’s first season at the club has been a steady one, playing a decent number of games without cementing a regular starting place. A foot injury suffered in the second game of the season did not help his cause and he will hope to make a bigger impact in year two with the Gas.
Lewis Gordon – 7
An unknown quantity when he signed as a free agent after leaving Brentford’s B-team last summer, but it has proven to be an excellent piece of business. The 22-year-old has been learning on the job but he has come a long way since making his EFL debut at Burton Albion in August. Still has plenty of room for improvement, but he goes into next season as an established player in Barton’s squad.
Trevor Clarke - 4
A positive pre-season created some buzz around the Irishman but he was cut firmly down after the first match of the campaign via some very public criticism of him by his manager. That said, he still went on to make a further four starts in the league before his mid-season loan to Shamrock Rovers.
Paul Coutts – 6
A season stymied by a knee injury for the captain, limiting him to just 17 starts after being a pillar of the League Two promotion side. Three assists in that time as a holding midfielder is a strong return. Out of contract, but he has remained around the group and travelled to every game. Barton will want the Scotsman, who turns 35 this summer, around in some capacity next year.
Luke McCormick – 4
A year to forget for one of the biggest signings of the summer. Did not have a full pre-season at AFC Wimbledon after being exiled when he made his desire to leave for the Mem known, and that has told with McCormick struggling to find a rhythm. A candidate to bounce back strongly next year if he writes this off as a bad year and hits the ground running in pre-season.
Grant Ward – 7
Probably the best of the January additions, with the midfielder showcasing his abilities as an all-round package over his short-term deal. The stats say one goal and no assists for the 28-year-old, but Gasheads and Barton alike are well aware of his qualities and striking a new deal with the former Blackpool and Ipswich man would be a big boost ahead of next season.
Jordan Rossiter – 8
One of Rovers’ best players when fit. The problem is he has only been able to play 17 league games after suffering a knee injury in December and a couple of setbacks in his recovery since. An unselfish midfield destroyer who makes his teammates better and life harder for the opposition, it will be a significant boost for Barton if Rossiter is fit and ready to go at the start of next season.
Glenn Whelan - 6
A tricky one to score given that Whelan's best work ultimately happens behind closed doors, on the training ground and in the dressing room with his leadership, guidance and professionalism an invaluable asset for the club. Barton claimed he didn't really want the veteran to play much this season but he still made 13 appearances in League One and helped cover an area of the field where the Gas experienced some significant injury issues.
Lamare Bogarde – 7
Arrived at the 11th hour on deadline day as something of an unknown, but the Dutchman has been a smooth operator in central midfield for Rovers. He is technically very good and loves a tackle; Rovers could do worse than to get the teenager back on loan from Aston Villa again.
Antony Evans – 6
A strange season in which he has given it his all but he has not enjoyed anything like the influence he had on the team last year, when he was outstanding in Rovers’ promotion triumph. Five goals and three assists, with thee of his strikes coming from the penalty spot, meaning he is among Rovers’ more productive players, but he knows he is capable of more and he will be eager to prove that next term.
Sam Finley – 6
Continues to be a key player in Barton’s side, bringing experience and a varied skill set in midfield. Not quite been at his best this season and, having made significant contributions in League Two, the 30-year-old will be disappointed to finish the year with no goals and three assists. Nonetheless, he will have a big part to play next season.
Scott Sinclair – 7
Made an unexpected return to Rovers in October and it has worked out for all involved. Sinclair has contributed significantly with five goals and three assists in the league and a contract for next season has been agreed in the process. Has brought valuable experience as well as quality to a youthful squad.
Harry Anderson – 5
Not the season he had in mind, with niggling injury problems rumbling on throughout the season to keep him to just 12 league starts. The 26-year-old has no goals and one assist to his name across a difficult campaign. His contract is coming to an end with Barton unable to justify a renewal unless he sticks around as a free agent and proves himself over pre-season. Should he depart north Bristol, he will be fondly remembered for his immense contributions in 2021/22.
Aaron Collins – 9
The second half of the campaign has seen a drop off in returns, but Collins won the League One Player of the Season for a reason. He was clearly the division’s best player by the turn of the year with double-digit goals and assists tallies. Naturally, after such a hot streak, his performance levels have dipped, but 16 goals and 11 assists is a brilliant return in his first season in League One and he has had a direct hand in 50 per cent of Rovers’ goals.
Josh Coburn – 8
Similarly to Collins, the majority of his best work came in the first half of the season, which is remarkable considering the Middlesbrough loanee had to wait until October for his debut due to injury. Ruthless finishing got him to nine goals by January 7 before the 20-year-old’s form declined. Back in the goals in the penultimate game of the season to get into double figures and, after learning a huge amount this season, he has the makings of a fine prospect.
Ryan Loft – 6
Made a promising start to the season and enjoyed a run of excellent form in the autumn when he was proving to be a nightmare opponent for rival defences with his physicality. Injury and suspension have combined since to take him out of his stride, though. Will hope for a sustained run of availability next season after finishing this term with four league goals.
John Marquis – 7
Had to bide his time on the bench when Collins, Coburn and Loft all enjoyed runs of form, but Marquis has been a solid contributor when called upon. Nine goals in 36 appearances is a good return, considering on 18 of those have been starts. Brings good experience and he is a team player; he will be relied upon next season.
Harvey Saunders – 5
Played a supporting role until he got the move he deserved after playing so unselfishly for Rovers across 18 months, joining Tranmere Rovers in January. Gave it his all but was not quite good enough to become a regular starter for the Gas.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
