Over a year on from Joey Barton’s appointment to Bristol Rovers, the manager is leading his team back up to fight for promotion.
When he joined in February 2021, he was unable to prevent his new side from their inevitable relegation but 15 months later, Rovers are now in a position to fight for League One spot next season.
In their last five matches, Rovers have enjoyed three wins and two draws, including their most recent triumph over Rochdale.
Coming from 3-1 behind, Barton’s troops were able to reverse their fortune and end up with a 4-3 win, ending the game with 10 men after a 98th minute red card.
Speaking after the match, Barton said: “I spoke to them at half time about the following and it’s days like today that from my first coaching journey, I couldn’t turn around and say ‘You’ve got to do it for these fans.’ They’ve travelled in enormous numbers again.
“At half time, that was what we were talking about, making the fans proud and giving a great account of ourselves. We felt our fanbase would recognise that, but to win 4-3 in the manner we’ve done sends those Gasheads home saying ‘I was there’ again.
“So proud of the players, amazing character. I’m so proud of our football club. To travel in those numbers is special.”
Rovers now have just one match to go and while they may pray that Northampton Town, who sit one place above them in the league on the same number of points, bottle their final match, Rovers will then have a place in the playoffs for promotion
Bets courtesy of Betting Odds, here are the latest odds on who is set for promotion after this weekend and the odds on the title race.
1. Tranmere Rovers: 66/1 promotion odds
Currently sitting ninth in the league, Tranmere Rovers are well in with a chance of fighting for promotion as they sit on 72 points, one point behind Sutton United. Their last fixture was a 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic and they will hope to repeat the score when they travel to Leyton Orient for the final match of the season this weekend.
2. Sutton United: 12/1 promotion odds
Sutton currently sit sandwiched in between Tranmere Rovers on 72 points and Swindon Town on 74. Their last match was an unfortunate 4-1 loss to Bradford City and Sutton will hope to reverse this result when they take on Harrogate Town for their final match of the season this weekend.
3. Swindon Town: 7/1 promotion odds
Swindon are currently seventh in the league and have recently enjoyed a run of three consecutive wins. Their last triumph came against Barrow as they took a 2-1 victory. Swindon will hope to make that run of three a run of four when they take on Walsall this weekend for their final match in the 2021/22 season
4. Port Vale: 13/8 promotion odds
Currently sixth in the league, Port Vale have just missed an opportunity to jump up into an automatic promotion spot after losing 2-1 to Newport County. Their final match of the season will be away against the league leaders Exeter City on Saturday.