When Bristol Rovers' PA announcer Lance Cook points the microphone to mascots on matchdays and poses the question of their favourite player, the usual responses follow. James Belshaw, Antony Evans and Aaron Collins are among a long list in Joey Barton's squad that have endeared themselves to Gasheads this season, but with everything on the line in the promotion race, it could be a player on the fringes who pops up with the defining goal of the campaign.
Sion Spence, for example, has played just 88 minutes in League Two on loan from Crystal Palace this season, but his last-gasp goal at Walsall and the match-winning double against Oxford in the FA Cup are formative moments in the making of this team.
At this stage of the season, just one contribution could be all it takes to earn a place in Rovers folklore, be it a priceless goal, a crucial assist or a goalline clearance. The majority of Barton's squad have played their part in what is becoming a successful season for the Gas, but others have been held back by injuries and other factors.
Time is not up for them, though. Every player in the squad still has a chance to make themselves a hero in the final five games of the season, even if their campaigns so far have not quite gone to plan.
Luke Thomas
The winger arrived at the Mem with high expectations owing to his performances for Barnsley at a higher level, but there were uncertainties, too, with Thomas going public on some of the personal struggles he has experienced in recent times. His time at Rovers has not been plain sailing, either.
Barton went public in the autumn with his frustrations with Thomas' attitude and professionalism, and the winger duly responded with an upturn in performance and engagement. But by that time, several other players had already established their place in the team, meaning opportunities have been at a premium for Thomas, who has not been able to make the most of his chances off the bench.
He was bright against Bradford City on April 2, though, and he later tweeted he was "Buzzing to be back out there after a tough few weeks".
A return of one goal and four assists in 28 games is not reflective of the numbers Thomas was hoping to rack up this season, and he like many players up and down the land is playing for his future with his place at his parent club uncertain, but the former Derby County and Cheltenham Town man still has time to make a late, decisive contribution in the blue and white quarters.
Trevor Clarke
Back in the team after much of his first season with the Gas was marred an injury suffered on the first day at Mansfield, but he has started the past two games and is not only playing for the cause but also for his future with his contract set to expire in the summer.
Six appearances, one assist and a red card is his return since joining from Rotherham, but the Irishman may still have opportunities to make his name as a Rovers player.
On the rare occasions he has played, Clarke has given Rovers' an added pacy threat in the final third and a natural left-footer to boot. Nick Anderton and Josh Grant have thrived in that position, but with both men only just coming back from injury, Clarke could get more chances.
Jon Nolan
Very little has been seen from the midfielder since his arrival as a free agent in February as he works his way back from a significant knee injury suffered in his time at Ipswich Town. He was able to make his debut as a substitute at Newport County on March 5, but that is his only cameo in a Rovers shirt so far.
Nolan is a player of high quality and experience, and it is easy to see why Barton signed him despite the injury concerns. The 29-year-old has been back in training in the past fortnight and he could yet have time to make a telling contribution in a Rovers shirt.
The 26 minutes he played at Rodney Parade showed he is an efficient distributor of the ball and he made the Gas better that afternoon. He might need just one or two cameos to produce a significant moment for his manager.
Ryan Loft
While two mid-season signings – James Connolly and Elliot Anderson – have made a huge impact in turning Rovers' season around, Nolan and Loft have not. Both have had their injury problems, but former Scunthorpe United frontman Loft is sure to be disappointed with how things have gone at the Mem so far.
He made a couple of starts before dropping out of the team due to injury and the form of Collins and others has meant Loft – who is waiting for his first Rovers goal – has been unable to regain his place.
A run out at Stevenage, where he bullied defenders and whacked the crossbar, hinted at his potential and there would be no better time for Loft to get off the mark for the Gas than in the remaining games this season.
Harvey Saunders
Another player on this with rotten injury luck. Saunders was a standout for Rovers early in the season when they were struggling as a collective. His pace their stodgy performances a different dimension and his winning goal against Oldham Athletic was significant after three straight defeats to start the season.
Had the versatile forward not injured his ankle at Bradford in October, he likely would have remained a prominent contributor for the Gas and nowhere near this list, but he has made just one start since his return in January due to the fine form of Aaron Collins, Elliot Anderson, Antony Evans et al.
Don't back against Saunders popping up with a big goal late in the season, though. He showed glimpses of his ability at the start of the campaign and there is no reason why he can't do the same at the end if Barton rolls the dice and uses him from the bench.
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