Joey Barton has made a career out of proving people wrong and confounding expectations of him. But the Bristol Rovers manager has more than just human opinions to challenge this weekend against Forest Green Rovers, with the weight of football history also to contend with.
If Barton is looking for a motivation tool beyond just starting the season strongly and putting on a show at the Mem, he need only glance at the Gas' record down the years in opening day fixtures for a trend that could very do with being bucked right off.
In 22 curtain raisers this century, Rovers have won just four and only once in the last 17 years. The miserable run also contains only five draws, with 13 defeats - three of which were at the hands of Peterborough United, so just be thankful it's not the Posh in north Bristol this weekend.
