Although the significance of his role this season isn’t lost on him, Paul Coutts still plays it down. As Joey Barton’s first signing last May, the arrival of the experienced midfielder he had previously worked with at Fleetwood Town sent a clear message as to what he felt was missing from the dressing room.
Coutts is a fine continuity midfielder, keeping possession ticking over while also countering the opposition with aggression and defensive smarts, but among his strongest attributes are his leadership, character and the way he can bring a squad together with a sense of conformity.
Barton’s fury about “fake footballers” and snus use two months previously had made for strong soundbites but they ultimately broadcast an underlying issue at Bristol Rovers - too little was being expected of players in how they needed to conduct themselves.
