Walking into the Memorial Stadium on a crisp Tuesday evening, I could feel the familiar buzz in the air—that particular blend of hope and tension that defines supporting Bristol Rovers. We've had quite the rollercoaster journey this 2023 season, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. The quote that's been echoing around the dressing room lately—"We fight, we train and we'll deserve what result we get. God bless us for [the final]."—has become something of a mantra for Joey Barton's squad. It's not just words; it's a philosophy that's been woven into every training session and match day. As someone who's followed this club through thick and thin for over fifteen years, I can tell you this mentality shift has been palpable.

Our recent match against Portsmouth ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw that felt like a victory in many ways. We were down 2-0 by the 63rd minute, and I'll admit I had my doubts. But then something clicked. Aaron Collins' equalizer in the 88th minute wasn't just a goal—it was a statement. The statistics back this up: we've now gone five matches unbeaten in League One, collecting 11 points from a possible 15 during this run. What's impressed me most isn't just the results but how we're achieving them. The team is covering an average of 112 kilometers per match now, up from 104 kilometers earlier in the season. That extra running translates to more pressing, more opportunities, and ultimately, more points.

The transformation in our defensive organization has been remarkable. Remember how we used to concede those frustrating late goals? Well, we've only allowed 3 goals in the final 15 minutes across our last 12 matches, compared to 11 during the same period last season. James Connolly, our 21-year-old center-back, has been absolutely immense. He's winning 68% of his aerial duels and averaging 4.3 clearances per game. I've been particularly impressed with how he's developed his distribution—completing 82% of his passes, many of which start our attacking moves. It's players like Connolly who embody that fighting spirit we keep hearing about.

Our midfield engine room has seen some interesting developments too. Sam Finley's leadership in the center has been crucial, but what's really caught my eye is the emergence of Luke McCormick. Since returning from his loan spell, he's brought a different energy to our play. His goal against Charlton Athletic last month was pure class—picking up the ball 25 yards out, driving forward, and unleashing that beautiful curling shot into the top corner. We've been creating an average of 14 shots per game recently, with 38% of them on target. Those numbers might not sound spectacular, but they represent a significant improvement from earlier in the season when we were managing only 9 shots with 28% on target.

The injury situation has been challenging, there's no denying that. Losing Josh Grant for the remainder of the season was a massive blow—he'd started 18 matches before that hamstring injury. But I've got to give credit to the medical team and the squad's depth. Players like Harvey Saunders have stepped up remarkably. Saunders, who many fans (including myself) had doubts about earlier this season, has now contributed 4 goals and 3 assists in his last 8 appearances. His work rate is phenomenal—I clocked him making 13 high-intensity sprints in the final 20 minutes against Portsmouth alone. That's the kind of commitment that wins over skeptical supporters.

Looking at our upcoming fixtures, I'm cautiously optimistic about our playoff chances. We're currently sitting 8th in the table, just 3 points off the playoff spots with 12 matches remaining. The match against Sheffield Wednesday next month could be decisive—they're strong at home, but we've shown we can compete with anyone when we're at our best. Our away form has improved dramatically too, taking 7 points from our last 4 away games after managing only 5 from the previous 8. Personally, I believe we need to target at least 24 points from these remaining games to secure a top-six finish. It's ambitious, but this squad has shown they're capable of surprises.

What's really struck me this season is the connection between the players and supporters. When you hear 8,000 Gasheads roaring "We fight, we train" during the tense moments of a match, it creates something special. The atmosphere during our comeback against Portsmouth was electric—I haven't felt energy like that since our promotion campaign last year. The players are feeding off this energy too. You can see it in how they celebrate together, how they fight for every loose ball. This isn't just another season—it feels like we're building something meaningful here.

As we approach the business end of the season, that mantra takes on even greater significance. Every training session, every tactical adjustment, every moment of individual brilliance or defensive resilience will determine where we finish. The players know they'll deserve whatever result they get because they're putting in the work to make it happen. From where I'm sitting, this renewed mentality combined with our improving form makes Bristol Rovers a dangerous opponent for anyone. We might not have the biggest budget in League One, but we've got heart, we've got fight, and we've got a growing belief that we can achieve something special this year. The final push starts now, and I for one can't wait to see how this story unfolds.