It’s an end of season press conference and Joey Barton is in a relaxed mood, despite Bristol Rovers having closed the 2022/23 campaign with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers to finish 17th in League One.
Due to his demeanour, he’s doing his level best to keep a straight face as he depicts a nightclub scenario, while weaving in Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, as an analogy to best describe Rovers’ position in trying to convert Lewis Gibson’s loan into a permanent deal.
The centre-back has been the Gas’ best defender and a vital component of Barton’s side, even captaining the team in the absence of Sam Finley and Aaron Collins’ apparent on-field indiscretion. Emphasised by the fact that of the 13 League One fixtures he missed this season through injury, Rovers managed to win just once - the 2-1 victory at Cambridge United, drawing three and losing the other nine.
