Darrell Clarke expects an even contest between "two good teams" when he returns to Bristol Rovers on Saturday with Port Vale.
Clarke cemented his legend status in BS7 by leading the Gas to from non-league to League One with back-to-back promotions in 2015 and 2016, and he will certainly be given a hero's welcome when he emerges from the tunnel at the Mem before kick-off.
His Vale side, who were promoted from League Two alongside Joey Barton's Gas last season, have made a strong start in League One, pulling off fine away wins against Derby County and Plymouth Argyle on their way to ninth place after 20 games. But Clarke recognises that 15th-placed Rovers – where he spent almost five years in charge from 2014-2018 – are in form, too, having lost just once in their past 10 league games.
"I think it will be a good game to watch," he said in his pre-match press conference. "Hopefully, I don’t kill that by saying that, but two good teams having a go at each other.
"The league is competitive and they have had a great run of form like ourselves. They had a hiccup in the FA Cup, but other than that their home form has been consistent.
"They have got different ways of playing so we expect a really good challenge."
Clarke is full of respect for his opposite number Barton, who he believes is doing a fine job in the Mem dugout. Barton is perhaps the only man since Clarke's exit in 2019 to energise the fanbase in a comparable way, with Graham Coughlan, Ben Garner and Paul Tisdale failing to establish the same bond with Gasheads.
Both Clarke and Barton have special memories of their own in BS7 and the Vale boss has been hugely impressed by the current owner of the manager's office in the labyrinth beneath the West Stand.
"Joey’s had a fantastic career and he’s doing very well as a manager," Clarke said. "A lot of people have opinions on Joey, but I take people how I find them and I’ve always got on well with Joey.
"He’s doing a cracking job there."
The Gas could have a boost ahead of kick-off with ex-Rovers striker Ellis Harrison's involvement doubtful after missing the past two games with an injury.
Still, Vale head to the Mem with back-to-back league wins under their belt, but Clarke has warned his players of the dangers of overconfidence.
"Players should gain massive confidence from previous results, but I think every game is different and we need to reset," he concluded. "You don’t play the last game because confidence is good, but overconfidence is not.
"If you ever think you’ve cracked the game of football, you’re very much mistaken. You have to teach every game as though it’s your last and prepare for that as well."
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