The good vibes continue to flow at Bristol Rovers as Joey Barton and his players commence their pre-season training programme. The joy of promotion remains, but the excitement of a new challenge is taking over.
The return of James Connolly and a new deal for Antony Evans are pieces of the band being put back together, and while members of the May 7 ensemble may not return and go on to forge solo careers, Barton took charge at The Quarters on Monday in a position of strength.
Plenty of work remains to be done in the transfer market, but in signing Jordan Rossiter and James Gibbons, the Gas boss has enhanced areas of the pitch where his resources were already impressive. Rossiter joins a midfield corps of Paul Coutts, Sam Finley and Evans, making a midfield that was already League One ready even stronger.
