Joey Barton claims the playing surface at the Mem is becoming such an issue he’s told Bristol Rovers owner Wael Al-Qadi and CEO Tom Gorringe he may have to adapt his summer transfer plans and coaching style due to its perceived inconsistency.
For the second home game in a row Barton was critical of the pitch in BS7 claiming Lamare Bogarde’s error, as he mis-controlled a pass in midfield to allow Brandon Hanlan to score the opener in a 2-0 win for Wycombe Wanderers, was the result of a bobble rather than a momentary technical mistake by the Dutch teenager.
Having declared after the 0-0 draw against Barnsley last week that it wasn’t up to standard and suited the Tykes' more direct approach, it continues to irritate Barton as he brought it up twice in his post-match press conference when discussing Rovers’ poor home form in 2023.
