Bristol Rovers' 'standard-bearer' has time to earn a contract extension after recent return..By Daniel Hargraves.
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Scott Sinclair made his first league start for Bristol Rovers in almost four months at NorthamptonIt's fair to say that this season hasn't gone as planned for Scott Sinclair. The experienced winger enjoyed a fruitful pre-season for Bristol Rovers, scoring five goals in seven friendlies having ended the 2022/23 campaign with six goals and three assists in 33 appearances, a tally where the context of joining that October after six months without a competitive appearance has to be considered.
What's more, posts on his Instagram during the off-period showcased the 34-year-old's ripped physique with former manager Joey B***** labelling the forward as "Benjamin Button" as well as a "standard-bearer" after the 9-0 friendly victory over Melksham Town.
Similarly to Chris Martin this season, Sinclair joined Rovers in October 2022 as a free agent having failed to find a move during the summer transfer window after his release from Championship side Preston North End. The Bath-born wide man who came through the ranks as a youngster with the Gas earned himself an 18-month extension and, going into this campaign, was pinpointed as a possible key contributor given the fact that he had experienced a full pre-season programme.
It initially appeared as though that theory would be confirmed to after two goals in the opening three league games against Barnsley and Charlton Athletic but since then, game time has been a rarity for the 34-year-old who went 18 league matches without an appearance.
Coincidentally, Sinclair's first league appearance since the 4-1 defeat at Burton Albion in October came against the Brewers earlier this month in their 2-1 victory at the Mem as Matt Taylor brought the veteran on for a brief cameo from the bench, then just his fourth appearance under the Rovers manager. Since, the winger played 62 minutes from the bench at Stevenage and subsequently started a league game for their first time in almost four months on Saturday in the 3-1 defeat to Northampton Town.
Of no fault of his own, the change to a back-three early in Taylor's tenure saw the 34-year-old's chances deplete further with the only space for wide players such as himself reserved for wing-backs, a pecking order he doesn't sit highly in assuming everyone's fit. However, a recent return to a back-four with two wingers may well have reopened the door for Sinclair to integrate himself back into the team.
i2-prod.bristolpost.co.uk/incoming/article9107718.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_JS325052838.jpgScott Sinclair unleashes a shot for Bristol Rovers at Northampton TownIn what was a pretty flat team performance at Sixfields on the weekend, particularly in the first half, it's tough to argue that the wide man shone but he was unlucky not to equalise as the forward produced a trademark cut inside on his right to fire a shot narrowly wide. What was evident in the two games last week was that his engine is still clearly in good nick and there is still something for the 34-year-old to offer on the pitch with question marks over his future at the club.
"I'm obviously always in great shape," Sinclair said, after the Northampton defeat. "I'm always looking after myself. It was really great to be back out there and in with the team trying to help but it's just disappointing that we didn't get the result we wanted. For me on a personal note it's just great to be back playing.
"If I'm playing or not playing I'm always keeping myself in great shape. I'm always in the background working hard and when the manager needs me I'm always ready.
"There's a lot of injuries but we've got a lot of players to come in and fill other players' boots. It's up to everyone else to step up and give it 100 per cent and make sure whoever does come in through injuries or whatever else that they make sure they're performing."
As will be the case regarding a significant chunk of the squad over the next couple of months with 12 permanently contracted players set to see their current deals expire this summer, Sinclair will have to prove his value to the manager if an extension is to be handed out. It's no secret that a major shake up is expected to take place this summer with a frustrated Taylor insisting that Rovers "have to change" in his post-match interview on Saturday.
How the team as a collective perform in the final 13 games of the season will also have a major impact on what the squad looks like going into the summer as inconsistency all campaign has had a significant say on Rovers' ranking in the table although, for the winger, that is the nature of League One.
i2-prod.bristolpost.co.uk/incoming/article9106659.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_3514001-1.jpg"I think it's the league," Sinclair added, when asked about the team's struggles for consistency. "You can see that everyone beats everyone. You never know who you're going to beat but it comes down to us. We've got the quality, we've got the players in the team, it's just finding that form and picking up points every week.
"Every game is going to be a scrap. Every game is a must-win. Every game is difficult and it's about picking up that form. We've got the quality in the squad and it's just up to us to start winning games and put on a show for the fans as well. No matter how we win, getting the three points is all that matters."
Where the current chances of Sinclair being a Gas player next season lie are unknown but following a period where it looked almost certain that the forward would be let go at the end of the campaign, it now seems as though there is one final window for the forward to make an impression strong enough for him to be handed a contract.
Although set to turn 35 next month, the Rovers has gone on record previously to say that he feels like he can play until 40 and, from an experience perspective, the Rovers academy graduate's career certainly stands out.
Representing some of Britain's biggest clubs in Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Celtic as well as lifting major honours, the Gas are privileged to have someone amongst their ranks with such nous of the top level to be, as B***** said, a standard bearer but ultimately how he performs on the pitch in blue-and-white quarters over the next two months will decipher whether he stays or not.
