The Joey Barton tactical change which inspired Bristol Rovers fightback vs Plymouth

Joey Barton has opened up on the inspired substitution and tactical change that got Bristol Rovers a point against league leaders Plymouth Argyle.

The Gas trailed the League One pacesetters by two goals after impressive goals from Finn Azaz and Adam Randell with no response in the first period. Rovers had several chances including a gilt-edged chance from Aaron Collins which he failed to take.

Barton had lined his side up in a flat 4-3-3 with Ryan Loft the focal point in an attacking three with top scorer Collins on the left hand side and Harry Anderson on the right.

Plymouth’s defence had dealt well with Collins’ threat and roughened him up with physical challenges that roughed him up. Target man Loft also endured a difficult 45 minutes as he was outmuscled in the air in his aerial duels.

Two goals down at the break but a display that had them competing with Rovers, allowed the manager to make an attack-minded substitution. On-loan Josh Coburn, who was admittedly frustrated after not starting was brought on for Luca Hoole. Anderson slotted in at right-back whilst Collins was able to take up a support role behind the new partnership of Loft and Coburn in the previously used 4-3-1-2 formation that brought success.

Explaining the feeling in the dressing room at half-time, Joey Barton said: “We were not downtrodden or disappointed albeit you’re losing the game. We felt if we got the next goal that the Gasheads would get with us. We felt we would have a lot of momentum and make it difficult for them.”

Barton’s change proved to be an inspired one as Coburn scored within two minutes of entering the pitch. Anderson in his new position dinked the ball to Collins who was able to find Coburn who headed the ball in from the ground after coming out on top against Michael Cooper.

After the early second-half goal, the game only went one way and an equaliser was all but deserved. Coburn on many occasions had drawn his marker off of him and this allowed more space and freedom for Loft, whilst Collins had more freedom in his role.

As Rovers sought an equaliser, there was an opportunity that came from Loft’s determination. He picked the ball up from 25-yards and forced a save from the goalkeeper. If Collins had been that one second quicker he may have got another goal to his name, but he at least got the ball to Jordan Rossiter, who almost opened his account for the club, but for a save from a tight-angled shot. In the attack, Coburn can be seen getting in the way of James Wilson to free up space.

Ten minutes after their first goal, a well-deserved second goal came. The tenacious Jordan Rossiter pressuring Plymouth into a mistake and he was able to slide a ball to Loft to delicately backheel to Collins to score from.

“It’s something we’ve done in recent weeks,” explained Barton as to why Coburn was introduced and the change of shape came. “The team is in a slightly different groove and we felt we could create pressure from other places in the first period.

“At half-time when you’re 2-0 down, you want to get your goal scorers on the pitch. He’s come on and pretty much scored with his first touch and that has given us the momentum to finish the game disappointed that we haven’t won.”

“As luck would have it Azza (Aaron Collins) puts a great ball in and Josh Coburn goes and does what great centre-forwards do. He puts his body on the line to get himself in the scoring column and after that, I felt there was only one team that was going to win it. Our second goal is good as any of theirs in teams of team play. It was a great finish from Azz.”

After getting back on level terms there were a few opportunities to win the match with a penalty appeal turned down. Bobby Thomas had the chance to get another goal to his tally but his header was clawed away from a well-taken corner.

The introduction of five substitutions to the English Football League with Barton describing his substitutes as ‘finishers’ and that is what they did. Coburn’s introduction changed the outlook of Rovers’ attack and it was ultimately the home side that finished the game disappointed out of the two after later commanding the game.