Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Barton relishing Rovers’ hat-trick of tough games
JOEY Barton will be going trophy hunting of a different kind over the next week as the Bristol Rovers manager sees the upcoming trio of fixtures as a chance to make a statement and test the fortitude and character of his squad.
Rovers host leaders Plymouth at the Memorial Stadium today followed by a trip to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday in a game live on Sky Sports, with the trilogy then completed by a visit to Derby County next weekend.
They are marquee matches, and a reminder of the step up in gravitas from League Two to League One, but with five straight wins behind them in all competitions, and confidence surging through the squad, Barton sees each game as an opportunity.
On a very basic level, three points would continue to elevate them up the standings, having risen to 12th following this run through October, but they can also enable Rovers to display exactly what they are about.
They are free hits to an extent, and arriving so early in the season, the mood at The Quarters this week has been one of excitement, rather than trepidation, as may have been the case a month or so ago when they were struggling for points.
“The biggest teams in the division and some big scalps to take, but I see that as an opportunity to go and get a big massive moose head and stick it on your wall,” Barton said. “If we go to Hillsborough and win or Pride Park and win, and if we win three games this week, that is a big step in the right direction for our group and our football club.
“We know that is going to be a tough task because Plymouth sit top of the table and deservedly so, obviously Sheffield Wednesday and the cauldron of Hillsborough and the fact it’s on Sky is quite novel for our boys, and then Pride Park, which is probably the most intimidating atmosphere if that’s packed and they’re behind the team; it’s as good an atmosphere that you’ll find in League One.
“I think we’ll find out a lot about our group after the dust has settled on this week. We’ve got our own internal expectations and the recent results profile takes the nervousness and the angst out of it as confidence is higher than it was before.
“I think, for us, we can go scalphunting. It’s a great opportunity for us to go and showcase what the team is about and what our principles are about and I always believe iron sharpens iron. I think proper players rise to that challenge. If you’re a proper player, you want to pit yourself against the best and on Saturday, Plymouth are the best.”