The January transfer window is in the books and Joey Barton will feel confident he has made enough tweaks to continue Bristol Rovers' rise in League Two.
Against the backdrop of Rovers' improving form, the deadline arrived with Rovers making three additions in the trading period, while Mark Hughes and Zain Walker left the club permanently and Zain Westbrooke and Jed Ward inked loan moves.
The result, Barton believes, is a strengthened squad that has the quality and depth to power Rovers towards the top seven in League Two.
Time will tell if that is the case, but the Gas appear to have gone some way to addressing the needs they had when the window opened, while also bolstering an area of strength.
Here is how Rovers' depth chart looks after the conclusion of the January transfer window...
Strength in depth
Going into the window, Rovers had an embarrassment of riches in attacking midfield, and with Antony Evans and Sam Nicholson – both out of contract in the summer – staying for the rest of the season, that part of the pitch remains an area of genuine strength for the Gas.
And the deadline deal to sign Elliot Anderson on loan from Newcastle United has only enhanced Rovers options in that part of the pitch. He is on the depth chart as a central midfielder, but he is a naturally attacking player who will look to affect games in the final third.
The reality is Rovers may have too many options, if there is such a thing, to play in attacking midfield and on the wings. Sion Spence has struggled for minutes and January has not made his challenge any easier at the moment.
The depth chart may look a little thin when it comes to central midfield, but depending on the formation Barton selects, he has several experienced names he can call on to work in the engine room.
It helps, too, that Evans has done well as a number eight and in Josh Grant, the Gas have a player who makes a mockery of depth charts. He could be considered a genuine option for full-back, wing-back, centre-back and central midfield.
In attack, the signing of Ryan Loft has given Rovers a focal point to their attack, but he missed the win over Walsall with a back issue and Gasheads are yet to see the best of him.
But with Leon Clarke fit again and Aaron Collins scoring freely, there should be enough goals in the side to get the job done for the Gas.
Rovers can be pleased with their goalkeeping ranks, too. No business has been done there in January, but Anssi Jaakkola's return from injury feels like a new signing, giving Barton a high-class backup option as cover for James Belshaw.
Areas to keep an eye on
Barton made clear before the window closed that he wanted to add a left-back/wing-back to his squad due to the injury problems that have affected Grant, Trevor Clarke and Junior Brown so far this season.
Grant is a premium option for the position, emerging as a scoring threat with three goals in 16 league appearances.
But Barton believes recent injury concerns mean Grant cannot be asked to play three-game weeks over and over again, which is the challenge facing Rovers over the coming months.
Clarke is facing at least a month out after groin surgery and Brown – who has had a thigh issue – was told he could leave the club in the past fortnight, but a move is yet to materialise.
Brown could stay and be part of Barton's plans for the rest of the season if he can prove his fitness, while Nick Anderton is a useful cover option –although Barton wants to see him playing on the left of a back three.
So the left-back ranks are not quite in an ideal state, but Rovers should be able to get by.
In the centre of defence, there is not a shortage of numbers, with six natural centre-halves to call on, plus the utility option of Grant.
What the resources in the heart of defence appear to be lacking is experience after the exit of Hughes.
Many Gasheads wanted to see an experienced centre-back acquired in January and that is fully understandable, but Barton has given a huge vote of confidence to a young defensive group led by outstanding Stoke City loanee Connor Taylor.
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