Strong starts have not been Bristol Rovers' forte in recent seasons and that theme has continued this year with Joey Barton's side 21st in League One after the opening 10 games.
Wins against Burton Albion and Oxford United gave put Rovers on six points after three matches, but a series of injuries, suspensions and poor performances have followed in the winless seven weeks since. The Gas have eight points on the board and have left themselves with ground to make up in League One.
Statistically, it is the poorest start Rovers have made in any of the five previous campaigns – although the sluggish start to last season can be considered worse due to the weaker opposition in League Two – but this is not entirely unfamiliar territory for the Gas, who have habitually been slow starters in recent years.
