Inside track on Rovers’ traffic light climbing star linked with Blues
After The News revealed Pompey’s interest in Bristol Rovers talisman Aaron Collins, we caught up with Bristol World reporter Jordan Jones to get the lowdown on the 24-year-old.
Here’s what he had to say about the player.
‘He’s not your traditional number nine. Joey Barton has compared him a few times to Roberto Firmino, not quality-wise but just his positioning and style of play. I’d be in agreement.
He does tend to perhaps cut out wide rather than stay centrally, which can sometimes impact him as he may be better suited to getting in to shooting positions.
Collins has a few goals in his locker from outside of the box and has scored a few stunners.
He had a slow start when he joined, enduring a difficult spell in front of goal.
In fairness to him, different systems were being tested and the plan was for Leon Clarke to be the focal point, but plans changed.
A goal against Oxford United gave him the confidence he needed and after that, he found some form.
In the last stretch of the season, he went on an eightgame scoreless run but then responded with a hat-trick against Rochdale in an inspiring victory.
Of course, he then gets a brace on the final day.
It'll be interesting whether to see if he continues on his own in the 4-1-4-1 or if there will be room to accommodate Ryan Loft or a different striker in the summer.
Given it will be his first crack in the third tier, it remains to be seen if he’s at the level next term. He's just come off his best scoring season and that will give him a tremendous amount of confidence. Sometimes players perform better at a higher level as they thrive off the competition.
The early feeling here is that there isn't much to worry about him leaving. He's a promotion hero, climbed a traffic light to celebrate with the fans, and has a strong affinity with the club.
Would he risk a new challenge at Portsmouth so soon after being part of some heroics? I'm not so sure.
He probably needs to be a bit more consistent, but his 18-goal return is still a respectable one and any striker who reaches double figures is worth their value.