As far as EFL Trophy nights go, Tuesday ticked all the boxes for Joey Barton. Bristol Rovers, the beneficiaries of nine-man Swindon Town's ill-discipline, booked their place in the knockout phase of the competition with a 3-0 win at the Mem.
But more importantly for the manager, the fight for a place in his starting XI is intensifying, with several fringe players advancing their claims with strong performances against the League Two Robins, who gave themselves no chance with the dismissals of Ciaran Brennan and Ricky Aguiar before the pause.
Ryan Loft is not in the fringe player category; he is in possession of a starting place and scored his sixth goal of the campaign with plenty of panache against Swindon, lobbing goalkeeper Sol Brynn just after the hour mark to put Rovers ahead.
But the likes of Harry Anderson and Luke McCormick, who have seen plenty of the bench in recent weeks, did their causes the world of good. Anderson scored a superb goal to double the lead, somehow finding the postage stamp at the near post from an acute angle. McCormick, meanwhile, has been short of rhythm since sealing a return to BS7 in the summer, but he was in the groove here with an all-action performance that was capped by a neat finish.
For Barton, of course, the absolute priority is the visit of the League One leaders, Plymouth Argyle, on Saturday, but after making it five wins from five and competition for places growing by the week, this was close to ideal preparation for the Gas.
Ticking all the boxes
Wholesale changes are par for the course in this competition, with Barton keeping just one player – Bobby Thomas – from the team that routed Cheltenham Town 4-1 on Saturday. Often, that can lead to disjointed performances, particularly when players on the fringes have not enjoyed regular football to find a rhythm.
There was signs of that being the case in the first half, with Rovers controlled but pretty pedestrian in their approach play, but with a two-man advantage at the break, the task for the second stanza was obvious: get after them. And they did exactly that, led by half-time substitute Loft who injected intensity at the point of the attack.
From that moment, everything went to plan. Loft continued his scoring run in sublime fashion, McCormick and Anderson made their mark and several others delivered a reminder of what they can offer.
Coupled with the fact Rovers emerged from the game injury-free, this was not a night when this competition can be considered an inconvenience.
McCormick leads the horde staking a claim with Sinclair to add to the mix
Of all the players in the starting XI that impressed, McCormick was the standout. It was obvious from the early minutes that he knew this was a big chance to force his way into the reckoning for a starting berth.
His return to Rovers came at a cost, with AFC Wimbledon exiling him from the building until he was sold, meaning the 23-year-old was short of fitness and form at a time when external expectations were high for the big summer signing. It has been a tricky start for McCormick, who has given his all for the team but is the first to admit that he has not been close to his best form.
That changed on Tuesday. Sure, this was an ideal stage to express himself, but at times he showed confidence akin to his idol Liam Gallagher. There was verve to his play, too, showcasing the intensity that was so eye-catching in his first spell with the Gas in 2020/21.
His goal seven minutes from time was fully deserved. He raced onto a searching through ball from Trevor Clarke into the left channel before strafing into the box and sticking the ball beneath the sprawling Brynn.
This was a reminder of the array of options Barton can call on in midfield. Sam Finley and Antony Evans appeared from the bench while Paul Coutts lurked as an unused substitute. With the rested Jordan Rossiter and even first-team coach Glenn Whelan added in, it is quite the collection of resources, and they are all proud professionals who want to play. Needless to say, it is a great position for the manager to be in.
Meanwhile, Clarke did enough to keep the man in possession at left-back, Lewis Gordon, honest, Anderson showed his huge value with a high-octane shift and a brilliant goal, Sylvester Jasper got an assist and could have had more, Luca Hoole and Alfie Kilgour were smooth at the back and Anssi Jaakkola showed he's lost none of his authority while sitting on the bench.
Clearly, this is not a squad comparable with the league's big spenders, but with the group almost at full fitness, it is apparent that it is a well-stocked arsenal that should enable Barton to achieve Rovers' goals this season.
And that's before Scott Sinclair is considered. The return of the former Chelsea, Manchester City and Celtic winger to his boyhood club on Tuesday not only is the makings of a story for the romantics, but the Gas believe he has plenty left in the tank after penning a deal until January with a view to extending beyond that.
He adds experience and high class to an already-strong attacking corps. If the move comes off as everyone at The Quarters hopes it will, exciting times await the Gas.
Coburn summed up in one moment
The sample size is small, but from a handful of appearances, it is clear to see that 19-year-old striker Josh Coburn is already a refined talent. He has caught the eye with his neat and intelligent hold-up play that resembles a player with much more experience.
He just does not move like your average 6ft 3ins striker and that was encapsulated by the moment that led to the second yellow card for Brennan just after the half hour. The Middlesbrough prospect received a pass and turned in behind, all in one movement.
It was the move of a classy forward and it meant he was the wrong side of the centre-back, who had already been booked for an earlier foul on Anderson. Brennan responded by hauling him down and referee David Rock wasted little time in brandishing a red card.
Not only was it a decisive moment in the game, but it was also a glimpse of Coburn's skillset. At times, he used his power to give former Gas defender Cian Harries a tough night, but there is guile to his game, too. It means Barton does not just have depth to his attacking resources, but variety, too.
Five from five
The Gas know very well that winning games of football is not easy, even in the EFL Trophy. Just a few weeks ago, a winless run had stretched to eight games and Rovers were in League One's bottom four.
So it is no wonder that Barton is not allowing for any complacency in his ranks. He revealed in his post-match press conference that a couple of players were on the receiving end of a half-time rocket after a flat performance in the first 45.
Rovers duly responded and were much more ruthless in the second half and the winning run now stands at five games. They have surged into the top half of the table and taken care of business in the Papa John's as a result.
Obviously, it will not carry on forever and it would be unrealistic to expect it to last the tricky fixtures that await in the coming weeks, but momentum is hard to come by and Barton knows they must make the most of it. Last season, they rode the wave all the way to promotion.
This time, the same heroics are not required and expected with their goals recalibrated for the stiff challenge of League One, but if they carry on like this in the coming weeks and months then, obviously, achieving their targets will be much, much easier.
Not quite perfect
There is only one thing Rovers could possibly grumble about after this game, and it was completely out of their hands. A 94th-minute winner from Niall Ennis snatched top spot in the group from Rovers' grasp.
Given the care for this competition is low, it is hardly a blow, but more of an inconvenience for the Gas. As a result of finishing second in Group M, they will play away from home in the second round in late November, theoretically against the likes of Ipswich Town or Colchester United, which is not ideal with a heavy load of games coming up.
This was pointed out to Barton after the post-match press conference, but it was clear that he wasn't at all fussed. "We'll play anyone at the moment," he replied.
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