Bristol Rovers have had a respectable first campaign back in League One - and whilst the season is at risk of faltering out, the main objective of survival is almost in sight.
In his first press conference of the season, Joey Barton set out a task of achieving 52 points, and they are just seven points off of that with nine games to go. The target of 52 points is what he believes will ensure another year in the third tier, and right now the Gas are 10 points clear of 21st-placed Accrington Stanley, who occupy the last relegation spot.
A good run of form from October through to December had people thinking Rovers could be an outside contender for the play-offs, but with injuries and suspensions, as well as numerous matches in which individual errors have proven costly, those ambitions have had to be put to rest. Rovers' place in the division is not yet secure but there are worse teams in the division than them, and it would have to take a real capitulation for them to be relegated now.
A tricky run of games in April, facing the likes of promotion-chasing Peterborough United, Bolton Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday does make it a daunting prospect, but Rovers relish playing some of the bigger teams. A double-header against Fleetwood Town and Charlton needs to return at least four points to avoid being dragged into any relegation race.
But with just nine games remaining, we’ve been reflecting on which players have impressed, and who has to improve before the season is out. Below, our Bristol Rovers writer, Jordan Jones has ranked every first-team player out of 10 based on their impact this season.
Here’s how we scored the Gas players…
13. Paul Coutts - 5
It seems time has caught up with Coutts, who could be out now for the rest of the season. He’s had numerous spells out with injury, and that’s disrupted the flow of his game. | Getty Images Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images
14. Lewis Gibson - 7
Gibson should be a priority for Rovers in the summer, and his score is only low, because he’s had two spells out with injury. He’s performed well when he’s played. | Getty Images Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty Image
15. Ryan Loft - 5
A good run of form in August and September made us think that Loft could be the man to build around, but injuries and suspensions have made for a stop-start campaign. He’s been kept out of the side by Coburn and now Marquis in recent weeks. | Getty Images Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
16. Harry Anderson - 5
Anderson’s struggled to get a consistent run in the side following a spate of injuries. He’s a good utility man to have, but it’s a struggle as to where he fits in to Rovers’ best side. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images