‘Toss of a coin’ - Joey Barton reveals key Bristol Rovers decision against Charlton

Joey Barton says starting John Marquis went down to ‘a toss of coin’. The Bristol Rovers manager has revealed that John Marquis almost started the Gas’ fixture, before he won it for his side off the bench.

Josh Coburn was preferred to the ex-Millwall man from the off against Charlton Athletic, however it was Marquis that secured all three points from the penalty spot, just minutes after being substituted onto the pitch.

Luca Hoole’s neat flick found Lamare Bogarde, and Albie Morgan was adjudged to have handled the ball in his attempt to win it in his own box.

Marquis stepped up from 12 yards, and sent Ashley Maynard-Brewer the wrong way - securing all three points.

“I felt we could make it less of a toss of a coin if we stuck to a game plan and the lads go out there and execute it and then the lads who came on took it on,” said Barton’

“John ends up being the match-winner and if you talk to most good goalscorers, they don’t care if that’s for a minute or 90 minutes. They want to get the headlines and the goal and be that focal point for the team."

The 30-year-old now has three goals against the Addicks this season, netting twice in the reverse fixture at The Valley after being substituted on on the hour mark with his side a goal down.

“John finished them off last time coming on with 25-30 minutes to go at The Valley and we all know the threat Aaron poses at any moment in our division.

“It was in my mind going into the game. You saw with Callum Wilson against West Ham in the week, players have clubs they like playing against and we’re all aware of that.

“My heart was saying play John from the start, I don’t think (Ryan) Inniss will want to see him after picking his pocket a couple of times but strategically from where we are at, it was a toss of a coin.”