Santana's summer rock anthem Smooth was a fitting tune to start this scorching Saturday lunchtime as the PA system blared into action before noon. Like the iconic guitarist, Bristol Rovers flawlessly struck their chords for the defining moment in their victory over Oxford United at the Mem.
But unlike the Mexican-American's trademark solos, this winning goal was more orchestral in nature, with a five-man ensemble combining to get the crowd on their feet.
Yes, that is an indulgent way of describing a John Marquis header into an empty net from six yards, but it was the product of a passage of flawless precision on an afternoon so hot that missed notes were to be expected.
"Like seven inches from the midday sun," goes the second line of that 1999 hit and that is how it felt in Row K of the East Stand. It must've felt twice as close for those on the pitch but Rovers did not wilt with the mercury in the mid-30s. Their tempo with and without the ball was unaffected. Matty Taylor was not a factor as he returned to BS7 and James Belshaw did not have to make any saves of significance.
With six points on the board out of a possible nine, Joey Barton's Rovers are still riding the heater that rocketed them into League One.
Off the Marq
Marquis had enjoyed a solid start to his Rovers career without opening his account in his first three appearances. Still, he was on his way to becoming a favourite on the terraces with his relentless work off the ball not going unnoticed.
He was serenaded by the away end at Burton time and again a week ago, but doubtless, he would have been eager to get off the mark in the Quarters at the earliest opportunity. The last thing any striker needs is the scrutiny of a scoreless streak after joining a new club. Aaron Collins may have got through that challenge last season, but his turnaround at Rovers is an exception to the rule.
For Marquis, his stooping header to round off a superb set-piece move did not just get him off and running in competitive action for Rovers, but it ended a personal goalless run stretching back to the final 11 games of last season for Lincoln City.
The 30-year-old is worth much more than just his goals to Rovers. The high press is fundamental to Barton's ethos and the selfless work of Marquis is essential to making it effective. Despite the heat, he hassled defenders and he also showed his physicality when battling for every aerial duel that came his way.
But strikers, ultimately, are judged on their goals. Marquis was unlucky not to get his first at Burton but he did not have to wait too much longer to hit the back of the net.
Crucially, last season Rovers lacked a genuine striker that suited their style of play until they reshaped the attack with Collins leading the line. This season, Marquis is appearing to be a seamless fit in Barton's system.
Love it when a plan comes together
Rovers' winning goal was a thing of beauty. Normally, great goals are memorable for their spontaneity, like a midfielder thinking "Why not?" before bashing one into the top corner from another postcode or a forward leaving defenders in a trance as they weave through tackles to score.
But this was different. This was clinical, machine-like, with each part executing its function to perfection to pry open Oxford's defence.
It started with a selfless run from Harvey Saunders, who was never going to receive the ball but his movement set things in motion. Antony Evans' delivery from set-pieces is a well-known threat and the fear that he could produce a dangerous cross also made it possible. He cut the ball back to Sam Finley, who took a touch and lifted a ball into the small area of space behind the backline.
Only a perfectly-weighted ball would do. It just cleared the head of a defender but any heavier and the ball would have bounced through to Simon Eastwood. Instead, it landed perfectly to tempt the keeper off his line and for Collins to nip in ahead of him to poke a cross for Marquis to finish off.
In what was a tight game without many clear-cut chances for either time, this moment was the difference, and it was reward for all the hard work on the training ground. The coaches deserve credit for that, but also the analysts who dreamed up the routine after forensically assessing Oxford's weaknesses.
Set plays have been good to Rovers so far this season. They scored directly from a free-kick at Burton and the second at the Pirelli Stadium was the product of another well-worked routine. Barton will be delighted if that trend continues.
The Mem factor
The last time Rovers were in this division, they were succumbing in silence. They were sucked into the quicksand and, with a callow squad and no fans in attendance, there was no way out.
Back in League One, the Gasheads are back, too. Rovers are just another club without its fanbase, Barton said in his press conference after the victory. Every club in the country probably holds itself in the same regard, but there is something about the Mem and the fans that fill it.
Time and again last season, they roared Rovers over the line in the big games, none more so than the final day of the season when Scunthorpe were swept away by a tidal wave.
On a smaller scale and against a much, much better team, there was still a similar effect. Matty Taylor, of course, was given a horrible afternoon and it showed in his performance. He has scored a few against Rovers lately but this was an afternoon to forget in BS7 like the time he limped off early doors in the same fixture three years ago.
But there was also a sense that the terraces were fuelling Rovers' ability to press defenders despite the scorching heat. Moments of panic ensued at the back when Eastwood played Stuart Findlay into trouble at a goal kick and the centre-back awkwardly sliced the ball behind for a corner with Harvey Saunders closing in from one side and the crowd from the other.
There are many grander, tidier and objectively better stadiums than the Mem in League One, but what it lacks in aesthetics and amenities, it makes up for in hostility. It is not a fun place to go and the Mem factor is real.
Maybe the only man not influenced by the crowd on Saturday was referee Oliver Langford. His report attempting to justify only producing a yellow card for Elliott Moore when he fouled, straddled and then thrust his hands into the face of Marquis shortly before half time would make for interesting reading.
Whelan's world
Rovers delivered as a collective for this 1-0 victory. Last season, it was their array of match-winners that would break through for the narrow wins, be it Elliot Anderson, Evans, Finley, etc, etc.
Saturday felt different, not only due to the nature of the goal, but also because it was hard to distinguish who were the stars of the show. Few questions could be raised about any player's performance.
But Glenn Whelan will perhaps go under the radar for his contribution. Had everything gone to plan with injuries, the 38-year-old may not have played at all by this point but the first-team coach has turned out in each of the past three games.
This would be his first start of the season, causing some surprise with Paul Coutts, Josh Grant and Jordan Rossiter back in the squad, but Barton's selection was vindicated.
Whelan may not have had a full pre-season campaign to ready himself for another season, but he remains in top shape and that football brain is losing none of its sharpness. Who needs the fresh legs of someone in their mid-20s when Whelan has already positioned himself perfectly?
This was not a glamorous performance, but it was a gritty 59 minutes from the Irishman that gave the manager something he lacked in previous weeks: impactful midfield options from the bench. By grafting away for the best part of an hour, he enabled Barton to make the most of the minutes Rossiter and Coutts could offer. Both played their part in navigating Rovers to victory in the closing stages.
This will likely be one of few starts for Whelan this season, providing Barton's midfielders remain fit and the Gas get their transfer business over the line, but he remains an asset to his manager in difficult situations.
Welcome to League One
This fixture appeared to be the first in a challenging three-game stretch for the Gas, but it proved to be a signal of Rovers' arrival at the level. The win at Burton was impressive, but they are an inferior side to Oxford and were reduced to 10 men inside a minute.
So victory over Karl Robinson's Us feels more significant. Rovers stepped up and deservedly defeated an established side that habitually contends for promotion and the play-offs.
Barnsley and Portsmouth are similar to Oxford in their aspirations and trips to Oakwell and Fratton Park are next up on the slate for Barton and his players, who will be relishing the challenge after back-to-back wins rather than being concerned by the calibre or prestige of their opponents.
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