Joey Barton admits a 17th-place finish feels like "failure" for Bristol Rovers in the wake of a 3-2 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Mem on the final day of the League One season, but he believes the Gas can replicate their opponents' success if they follow the same "blueprint".
Rovers made it seven games without a win to round off a season that saw them comfortably avoid relegation, but a disappointing second half of the campaign well short of contending in the top half of the division.
Sunday's defeat to the Trotters encapsulated some of the flaws that have hampered the Gas across the season, with poor defending from set plays and long balls giving Bolton the upper hand as they cemented a fifth-place finish in the third tier, setting up a play-off semi-final against Barnsley.