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Given the manner of Ipswich’s 4-4 draw at Charlton Athletic, Kieran McKenna may have had doubts about the response of his side in the matches which followed.
An FA Cup tie at non-league Bracknell Town was ideal, yet it took Ipswich 66 minutes to break the deadlock before prevailing 3-0, and last weekend’s home encounter with Cheltenham Town failed to produce the desired result.
Despite taking an early lead, Ipswich could only record a second consecutive share of the spoils, having to rely on Plymouth Argyle drawing their own game to remain within four points of the leaders.
From that perspective, McKenna will feel fortunate, but Sheffield Wednesday’s narrow success at Accrington Stanley now means that the Owls trail second position by just one point.
With 17 points being collected from a possible 24, McKenna will still back his team to get back on track, but the pressure is rising ahead of their trip to the South Coast.
Exeter have had to deal with an intense period in recent weeks, with a new manager in charge and fixtures against the likes of Derby County and Plymouth Argyle.
Nevertheless, Gary Caldwell will be satisfied with two victories and a draw from four fixtures, the solitary defeat coming by a 4-2 scoreline at frontrunners Plymouth.
Since that setback, Exeter have posted successive 3-2 triumphs over Port Vale in the FA Cup and Peterborough United in the third tier, coming from behind on both occasions to net a winner in the closing minutes.
Although James Gibbons was replaced at half time against Fleetwood, it represented a tactical change from Rovers boss Barton.
If there is a switch to a back three, James Connolly will replace Gibbons, otherwise faith may be placed in the same team which started last time out.
Scott Sinclair came through 86 minutes on his first start back at the club and should retain his spot.
Although a much-changed side battled past Salford, the Peterborough XI is likely to be similar to the one which started at Exeter.
Despite his double in that game, Marriott is expected to miss out on a recall to the attack, but Frankie Kent is in line to feature in the back three after serving a ban.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Gibbons, Thomas, Gibson, Gordon; Rossiter, Finley, Evans; Sinclair, Coburn, Collins
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bergstrom; Edwards, Kent, Butler; Thompson, Taylor, Fuchs, Burrows, Jones; Clarke-Harris, Mason-Clark
Ipswich are in second place in the League One table, seen as genuine promotion contenders, and unbeaten in their last five matches.
Next, McKenna will take his side to St. James Park to face Exeter City, who are in ninth place in the league table and defeated Peterborough 3-2 last Saturday.
Jay admitted that McKenna’s Ipswich are a tough team to face in the division and emphasised that the Tractor Boys have been performing well this season.
However, the Exeter City captain believes that his side are capable of taking on anyone in League One and pointed out that their recent weeks performances are proof of that.
The midfielder also added that Exeter City are eager to repeat their good performances from recent matches against Ipswich.
“We’ve got yet another tough game on Saturday when Ipswich are the visitors to SJP for a game which kicks off at midday to accommodate the Sky cameras”, Jay wrote in his Devon Live column.
“The Tractor Boys are going well this season under former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna, but we’ve demonstrated over recent weeks that we can mix it with pretty much anyone in this division and we’ll be looking to do so again at the weekend.
“For sure, if the finish is anything like last Saturday’s, it promises to be a treat!”
Ipswich have failed to win their last two meetings against Exeter City and will be hoping to change that record on Saturday.
A stalemate seemed almost inevitable for the hosts, who have now won once in their past nine matches to derail their hopes of automatic promotion.
Both sides sit on 29 points, with a single goal giving Portsmouth fifth to Derby’s sixth, and their proximity in the table was evident on the pitch.
Derby enjoyed the best of the early chances in a high-tempo opening, James Collins heading a dangerous Conor Hourihane delivery narrowly wide.
David McGoldrick went even closer as he pulled down a long free-kick on the edge of the area while unmarked, letting the ball bounce before curling on to the crossbar.
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Connor Ogilvie looped a header on to the roof of the net for Pompey, while Craig Forsyth and Owen Dale could not get their angles right from a yard out at either end.
The Rams were denied twice as Josh Griffiths blocked Louie Sibley’s shot before Dane Scarlett was needed to steer a rebound off the line.
Jay Mingi had Pompey’s first shot on target in stoppage time, with neither side able to find a winner.