(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Bristol Rovers have announced the sacking of their manager Joey Barton, just 13 games into their League One campaign.
The Gas drew 1-1 with Stevenage on Tuesday evening, in what would turn out to be Barton’s final match in charge for the club.
Since Barton’s departure, assistant manager Andy Mangan has taken charge of proceedings and Rovers striker John Marquis has spoke out about the recent news.
“We have to take responsibility,” said Marquis.
“The manager does pick the team but at the end of the day he’s not the puppet master, he can’t tell us what to do when we are on the pitch.
“He can guide us and give us ideas, but if we can’t execute the plan that’s been put in place, then there is some responsibility that falls on our heads.”
“We know we’ve not been doing well enough in recent weeks, but we’ve got an extremely good squad in there and we can get this going and start to win games hopefully soon rather than later.”
The Gas have won just four league games this season and Marquis is aware that the current form needs to improve.
“We know we’re not performing at the level that we should be as a group of players and unfortunately that has ended up with the gaffer losing his job and we know that we need to be better moving forward.”
Rovers have had some positive results so far this season, with impressive home victories against Wigan and Port Vale. However, in recent weeks the Gas have been struggling for form as they are winless in their last four games.
“Everyone at this club really liked Joey Barton and they really liked working for him,” said Marquis.
“Everyone and especially myself with him (Barton) bringing me to the club, have a lot of respect and a lot of thanks to give to the manager.”
“Everyone barring Josh Grant has been brought in by the manager and even Grant has signed an extension here, which shows this is something that the gaffer has worked extremely hard to build over the last few years and he’s definitely put us in a much better place now, than when he arrived.”
Rovers face Northampton Town on Saturday, in what will be another tough fixture for the club.
With Mangan temporarily in charge, the Gas will be soon dipping into the managerial market to replace Barton, as the football world will wait and see what the 41-year old’s plan is next in his managerial career.
