After a rocky beginning, Bristol Rovers have made an impressive return to life in League One and very little has been down to chance.
For two months, Joey Barton's Gas have been very impressive, losing just one of their past 12 games in the league and they deservedly possess a place in the top half of the table at Christmas. In fact, supporters have cursed their luck more than once this season, particularly amidst a brutal run with injuries in the opening 10 games that gave their rivals a head start.
Those woes feel like a distant memory now. Still, Barton is sure to have some festive wishes as the Pirates embark on the second half of their season in a strong position, three points shy of the play-off places with the opportunity to give Gasheads another exciting run to the finish line.
