Up until the 85th minute, Bristol Rovers had delivered a fitting and symbolic end to 2022. A risible first-half display was followed by a blistering and thrilling comeback and three-goal salvo emblematic of the way they’ve turned their fortunes around over the last 12 months. Joey Barton’s Gas in microcosm.
Except, thereafter, as Timothee Dieng and Sam Nombe completed Exeter City’s own remarkable resurgence, Barton was instead provided a window into what’s required in 2023 to continue this upward trend under his management.
The Gas were equally bad as they were good on Thursday night. As a team, at least. But to break it down into a more simplistic but also specific description, and to borrow a phrase from the manager, they were equipped with an attack worthy of promotion, and defence more associated with relegation.
