Joey Barton has joked that Sutton United's abrasive and direct style of play will need an official with the acumen of legendary rugby union referee Nigel Owens, as Bristol Rovers welcome them to the Mem.
Rovers and Sutton are familiar bedfellows this season having drawn 1-1 at Ganders Green Lane 10 days ago, while Tuesday night's encounter in BS7 is the rearranged game from Boxing Day which was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Gas squad. The two sides also met in the FA Cup second round in December, with Rovers winning 2-1.
That has given Barton, and opposite number Matt Gray, ample opportunity to work out their respective playing styles and Barton claims the fixture in south London earlier this month, at times, was reminiscent of a game of rugby union, with Sutton playing for territory, set-pieces and particularly physical.
The Us committed 21 fouls against the Gas in the most recent meeting, with left-back Nick Anderton coming in for particular treatment as the defender was fouled six times. For reference, Rovers were penalised for six fouls across the entire game.
"I’m hoping Nigel Owens comes across the border and referees this game," Barton said. "The Six Nations started last week and Sutton’s play in that game was very physical and bordering at times, I was saying to the fourth official, 'this is like rugby, we’re watching rugby'.
"They’re playing for throw-ins. They’re playing for corners. Barging into people but that is League Two. Me bleating on about it is only going to steely their resolve to be even more physical and more disruptive than what they would be."
For the record, Ollie Yates has been named as the match official with the referee having issued 49 yellow cards and three reds across his 15 matches this season at League One and League Two level.
Sutton rank third in the division for long passes per game with 90, and make the fewest short passes per game of all the division's 24 teams with 225 but Gray may slightly baulk at Barton's accusation given Rovers' suspect disciplinary record.
Nevertheless, Barton is hopeful the pristine surface at the Mem plays into the Gas' hands and helps bring the best out of their ball-players with a desire to play through the thirds, while also maintaining concentration in dealing with the visitor's aerial threat.
In the 1-1 draw, Rovers dominated possession 63.7 per cent to Sutton's 36.3 per cent but found themselves restricted at times by the hosts' compact shape.
"We’re at our pitch again. It’s bigger and it’s got a lot more grass on it and the ability to play football on it is there, compared to their pitch," he added. "We’re going to have to get the ball down and pop it around them and they’re going to launch it into our area and test us physically.
"We’re well-versed in it and again I’m looking forward to the game and seeing if we’ve learnt our lessons from the game at Sutton and the opportunity to keep the points tally going and keep positive momentum going on the board.
"I’m happy that we’re on our pitch as its much bigger. Their 4-4-2 will be stretched. There will be a lot more space to play against them compared to their pitch. But we know what a good run there on and they won’t fear coming here.
"We know we’ll have to be as good as we were second half, for 90 minutes if we’re going to take maximum points. But I think our lads are at that point where a congested fixture list is great because we’ve got a young side and they’re chomping at the bit to get into the next game.
"So, I’m looking forward to getting back in here Tuesday night under the floodlights and hopefully the Gasheads will be in getting after the boys again and we can get some more points to add to our tally."
SIGN UP: For our newsletter to receive more exclusive Bristol Rovers content
