Bristol Rovers are on a club-record run of 11 straight home league wins at The Memorial Stadium, but Steve Evans knows his side's historic run will be fully tested against Barnet on Saturday.
The Bees are one of three unbeaten teams in the fourth tier and sit in second place, one point behind leaders Salford City. However, they have two games in hand on the Ammies after their previous two matches were postponed due to the international break, and it is reasonable to suggest they could be at the summit without a break in fixtures.
Barnet are level on points with the Gas, and both teams know they could go top with a win if other results go in their way. The Pirates are back at BS7 after a tough trip to Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two, knowing a packed Mem crowd will be right behind them as they look to extend their winning run on home soil.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Evans reflected on the last two away defeats and previewed the upcoming fixture against Barnet.
REFLECTIONS ON THE LAST TWO GAMES
"I think we know that our away form is our Achilles' heel, and we're trying all sorts to sort that out. Individual errors are always going to cost you whether you're home or away, and we've made too many of them, particularly on the road.
"So, we'll focus a bit on that, but the first and foremost thing that we will focus on is Saturday. Barnet and Salford are what many people tell me are the two top teams, and it just so happens they are our next two home games at The Mem.
"Our historic record is going to be fully tested, but I want that record to continue. The young Gasheads that come into the stadium, male or female, when they are adults themselves and have got kids or maybe even their grandads, I want them to say, 'Who was the last manager that achieved 12, 14, 15 consecutive home wins?' And give the future manager of the Gas absolutely no chance of catching it. That's our aim, but our only objective is a very good Barnet side on Saturday."
BARNET PREVIEW
"We know how tough it's going to be. Do I want to go back in the Thatchers Bar? I loved every minute of it, and so did our chairman. We know how tough it's going to be. They have a good manager in Dean Brennan, and there are some players who have played for me on that side as well.
"There has been some really good recruitment from Dean, but this is a team that he's built over a number of years now. We're trying to compete with the likes of them in one and a quarter transfer windows. So, it's tough, but we're looking forward to it for sure."
AWAY FORM
"It will never go away because we're never going to get success this season just by what we do at The Mem. It has to be a combination of both, but it's really interesting if people go and look at the teams that have been promoted.
"Back when I got Stevenage out of this division, I think we had 17 or 18 home wins and probably eight away. So, there is plenty of time for us to get the away results, but we need to build on this home form. We need 18 or 19 home wins and then leave the away wins to be picked up to take us over the line."
ARVIN APPIAH
"In terms of match fitness, he's an impeccably fit boy. I think people watching the game the other night would have seen that when he got the ball, he can handle and manipulate it very well. He was slightly played out of position for where we see him naturally. He worked ever so hard, and he'll come forward from that.
"I see him on the left-hand side. I see him in the ten. I can see him playing inverted on the right because he's technically very, very good. You have probably seen in certain stages in the first half on Tuesday night; he never got back into the shape efficiently enough. He did overtime, but efficiently enough, and that just comes from fitness."
INJURY NEWS
"Alfie is good. We were worried about Alfie when he had to come off, but he jarred his knee for the second goal, and when that ball goes into the net, and you see him limping, the one thing he's got is the heart the size of Big Ben.
"You know, if he's limping, there's an issue. I was very, very relieved when he rang me first thing on Wednesday to say it feels okay and he's trained today. There were no after effects as well, so he's available. Every time I criticise Alfie, he gets better. So, I'm going to keep criticising him, and every time I criticise Fabrizio, he gets better too. So, I'm going to keep criticising two players we love.
"Fabrizio is good. He's been back in training for two or three days. Arguably, you know when you put Fabrizio on the pitch, you're putting a goal scorer on the pitch. It doesn't mean every game, but you know that you're putting a goal-scoring threat on the pitch. I would rather he played for me than anyone else.
"Riley Harbottle and Jack Aitchison are out until December, easily. Both have had little operations. They are little in the great test of it all, but when you think we're now in October and they're out for four or five weeks in terms of the injury, they will need a good two weeks rehab. So, you're probably talking December."
IN THE TOP SIX
"There are games that can change the top four or five positions. I had a long conference call with our chairman earlier this week, and we spoke about how, even if we're good enough and fortunate enough to win on Saturday, beat Barnet and go top of the league, we still wouldn't be happy.
"I wouldn't be happy; the chairman wouldn't be happy; we expect more from the group that we've got, and the group expect more from what we have got so far. The final point from our chairman was: wouldn't it be great if we're top of the league and not happy. It's been a long time since last December, when we were bottom of the league and not happy."
