Joey Barton admits his perceptions of what constitutes a successful season for Bristol Rovers have changed since the Gas were unable to bring back the "Lionel Messi of League Two" in Elliot Anderson, and Connor Taylor on loan.
Barton was bullish at the start of the summer that Rovers could build on their sensational run in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign that led to sealing automatic promotion on the final day, and mount a serious challenge on the higher echelons of League One.
That bravado was based on Barton's own classic self-confidence coupled with the intangible sporting currency of momentum, but also with optimism that Rovers' x-factor from last season could return to the Mem and be unleashed on League One.
