In a season of streaks, Joey Barton and Bristol Rovers hope another dramatic upturn in form is on the horizon after a chastening start to 2023 for the Gas.
Rovers have been beaten in five of their past six League One games, with Saturday's demoralising 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion dropping them to 15th in the League One table. As a result, optimism of a push towards the top six in the run-in has faded and gone and targets have been recalibrated – homing in on the original goal of survival and consolidation in the first season back in the third tier.
In that context, the Gas remain well placed despite their recent dreadful form, with a superb run in the lead-up to Christmas helping to amass a healthy points tally which put Barton and his squad ahead of schedule, particularly off the back of a disappointing start to the campaign.
