For Bristol Rovers fans who keep a close eye on Joey Barton's press conferences, it will be no secret that he and his staff like to break the season down into "blocks" – chunks of 10 matches to make the 46-game grind of League One feel a bit more manageable.
Block one was highly disappointing for the Gas as they returned to the third tier. They were promoted with huge momentum, but a series of injuries – particularly in defence – affected form and confidence and just two wins and eight points were yielded from the opening 10 games.
At that point, Rovers were in the relegation zone, but with the injury problems waning and a first-choice XI emerging, Barton and his players have quickly shifted the narrative. Just one defeat in block two with four wins and five draws have left the Gas looking upwards rather than over their shoulder.
The Gas are 15th in League One, eight points clear of the relegation zone and only six points adrift of the play-offs. Despite the upturn in form, it could have been even better with points dropped against Bolton Wanderers and Fleetwood Town deep into stoppage time.
Areas for improvement remain, but the Gas have emerged from a difficult 10-game run in their fixture list with a more-than-respectable haul of 17 points. As a result, a window of opportunity awaits.
There are no easy games in League One, but in terms of cold, hard facts, Rovers are entering a softer period in their schedule. After playing five of the top seven in the past two months, the highest-ranking team they face between now and early February is ninth-placed Port Vale.
On paper at least, the Gas have a big chance to continue their ascent up the table. Of course, that in turn means the run-in to the end of the season will take in games against several sides chasing promotion, meaning the coming weeks and months either side of Christmas have the makings of a defining period in Rovers' campaign.
Port Vale (h) - December 10
As things stand, the toughest assignment in the upcoming games is Saturday's visit of Port Vale to the Mem, and Gas legend Darrell Clarke continues to do a very impressive job at Vale Park.
Considering they had a delayed start to their preparations to the new season after coming up through the play-offs, Vale have made an excellent start in League One. They are ninth, the highest of the four promoted sides, with 29 points from 20 games.
On home turf, Rovers will fancy themselves against anyone, and of course Barton and his players have great memories against Port Vale, picking up a massive 3-1 win in front of a packed away end at Vale Park in April on the road to promotion.
But Vale will certainly be organised, and former Gas striker Ellis Harrison and ex-Manchester United prospect James Wilson will pose a threat, plus Clarke will be eager to repeat last season's December victory at the Mem.
Charlton Athletic (a) - December 17
Until earlier this week, Rovers were set for a second successive reunion with a former Gas manager, but Ben Garner was sacked by the Addicks on Monday after a disappointing run.
Garner's successor is yet to be announced, but typically teams are good value to enjoy an upturn in form after a managerial change, meaning the Gas could be catching Charlton at the wrong time. For a club with promotion ambitions, they are certainly underperforming and the trip to The Valley could be a tricky one for the Gas.
Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is one to watch, with the 20-year-old enjoying an eye-catching loan spell with three goals in his past six games.
The Valley has brought no joy for Rovers over the years, with their last win coming in 1959, but Barton will have no care for omens and history.
Wycombe Wanderers (a) - December 26
Rovers face Wycombe in the first game of a quickfire double-header on Boxing Day.
After an underwhelming start in the wake of reaching the League One play-off final last season, Gareth Ainsworth's Chairboys have found their stride and they have risen to 10th place in recent weeks.
As always, Ainsworth's side will post a stern physical test with former Wales international Sam Vokes leading the line, but they have a sprinkling of quality in their lineup that the Gas will have to be wary of. Anis Mehmeti has bagged eight goals and a couple of assists this term and Gareth McCleary has a lot of experience at a higher level.
Exeter City (h) - December 29
The first opponent the Gas will face for a second time this season. The 2-2 draw at St James Park was a turning point in Rovers' campaign, with Barton's players setting a new bar for performance levels.
It took a last-gasp equaliser from Ryan Loft to earn a point in Devon, but the Gas were undoubtedly the better team throughout and only a couple of individual errors – perhaps stemming from a lack of confidence after a poor run to start the season – left them chasing the game.
Much has changed since then. Rovers have found form and Exeter have a new manager. Matt Taylor was snapped up by Rotherham United swiftly after the October clash with the Gas and Gary Caldwell has replaced him.
They have won just once in their past five league games, but they remain well-placed in 11th, and Rovers will be aware of the quality the likes of Jevani Brown and Matt Jay, but October's meeting with the Grecians will give the Gas confidence when they meet again over the festive period.
Cheltenham Town (h) - January 1
Speaking of confidence, the Gas were at their most convincing this season when they romped into a 4-0 lead by half time at Whaddon Road, last month. That game finished 4-1 and it was a statement of the rapid progress the Gas were making once Barton's resources were replenished by players returning from injury.
Since then, the Robins have improved and boss Wade Elliott is up for the manager of the month award, winning three of their last five and going unbeaten in that time.
So Rovers can expect a tougher test when they face off with Cheltenham again, but the Gas will believe they have the wood on them.
Cambridge United (a) - January 7
Another team that Rovers have good memories against, beating Cambridge 2-1 at the Mem in early October. But unlike Cheltenham, Mark Bonner's Cambridge have gone downhill since, dropping to 20th place in the table with three defeats in their past four games.
A lot can change between now and then, particularly if early deals are completed in the transfer window, but on current form, the Gas will likely head to the Abbey Stadium as favourites for the three points.
Accrington Stanley (a) - January 14
One of the most disappointing days of Rovers' season so far came when John Coleman's Stanley visited the Mem in September. With Barton forced to use makeshift tactics by a series of defensive injuries, Rovers and Accy played out a very poor game that was decided by Joe Pritchard's second-half header.
Rovers know they are a much better team these days, though, and they will want to give an entirely different account of themselves when they cross paths with Accrington again.
Coleman's side are just a couple of places above the relegation zone, but they always bring the intensity and, regardless of form, they tend to be a tough match.
Wycombe Wanderers (h) - January 21
After meeting on Boxing Day, Rovers and Wycombe will run it back at the Mem. However, this time the teams could look a bit different with the transfer window three weeks old.
Regardless, the fundamentals of the contest are sure to remain the same. Ainsworth's side will be physical and Rovers will have to deal with that in addition to nullifying the quality forward players in their ranks.
Morecambe (a) - January 28
The Shrimps caused plenty of frustration for the Gas when they visited BS7 in September, scoring twice against the run of play until Bobby Thomas popped up with a late equaliser.
Morecambe have had a very difficult time since, slipping to the bottom of the table. However, they are not easy to beat. Derek Adams' side have not won in their past five league games but they have only lost one of those.
A trip to the North West to take on Morecambe, therefore, may not be as straightforward as it looks on paper, particularly if they can make impactful signings in early January.
MK Dons (h) - February 4
Rovers finish the third block of 10 games with the visit of MK Dons to the Mem, having already beaten Liam Manning's side this season. The Gas were 1-0 winners at Stadium MK in October with Antony Evans settling the contest from the penalty spot.
A surprising season of struggle for MK has continued. They narrowly missed out on automatic promotion last year, but with several of their star players long gone they are fighting at the opposite end of the table. With no wins in four, they have fallen to 22nd in the standings and they are five points from safety.
They are sure to have a busy January transfer window, which could make them a different beast when they meet Rovers again, but as things stand, anything less than three points against a struggling side on home turf will be a disappointment.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
