It’s been a challenging start to life back in League One for Bristol Rovers and Joey Barton. After a bright opening, the Gas have dropped points at home and can’t seem to get things going on the road amid injuries and suspensions which have only added to the inconsistency.
With Barton’s side 21st in the table, this next batch of games feel crucial with regards to determining what sort of team Rovers are going to be in 2022/23 - a mid-table outfit with ambitions of higher, or forming a relegation battle.
Barton likes to group a season into blocks of matches and the Gas have eight in the league leading up to the World Cup in Qatar - with a further three in the EFL Trophy and FA Cup - which will see the Premier League and Championship break for a month.
