Bristol Rovers striker showing traits of Liverpool’s Firmino as boss gives out Lewandowski study task

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has likened in-form forward Aaron Collins to Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino whilst also encouraging him to replicate another of Europe’s elite.

The 24-year-old found the back of the net in the Gas’ 2-1 win over Crawley Town, registering his 11th goal of the season.

His form has been even more impressive given that for many games this season, he’s had to hold the line by himself rather than being supported by an out-and-out number nine.

As such, Collins has become one of the first names of the team sheet after discovering his goalscoring boots from November onwards, which has coincided with their upturn in form.

‘I’m really happy with Aaron, he has filled the number nine journey in the absence of a recognised number nine,” said Barton ahead of Saturday’s clash with Harrogate Town.

“He’s made it his own role. I’ve spoken to him about the way that Bobby Firmino plays for Liverpool in a kind of false nine position.

“Certainly on Tuesday night I thought he was outstanding against a really good back three against Tony Craig, Jordan Tunnicliffe and Joel Lynch who have got a lot of experience in their careers.

“He’s not a big post-up number nine he’s a very mobile version of it with his touch and creativity and his ability to run as a ball carrier gives him unique qualities for that position.

“His goals have been there that everybody has been aware of but his performances and his running back for the team has been outstanding.”

As well as the slight likeness to how Firmino plays as a non-out-and-out striker, Collins was given the midweek task of analysing Robert Lewandowski.

On the same day Collins struck for Rovers, Lewandowski netted a 23-minute first-half hat-trick including two successful penalty kicks in a 7-1 rout of the Austrian side.

The 33-year-old has been Europe’s most in-form forward for the past few years and was last year the winner of the Golden Shoe, scoring the most goals on the continent.

Whilst there is a considerable difference in quality between the Champions League and the fourth tier of English football, Barton has encouraged Collins and his other players to replicate to their best ability, their game.

“Yesterday I was sending him videos of Robert Lewandowski’s performance in the Bayern Munich v Salzburg game to show him different kinds of movements for his natural ability in the number nine.

“You should always be watching the best, if you want to be a top boxer you want to watch the boxers.

He added: “Sometimes it’s difficult to replicate what they do such as the talent of those boys but also, there’s a lot of things they do that you can add to your game.

“I think what they tend to do really well is the basics. There is some stuff at the top end of their performance that sets them apart and makes them the best players in the world.

“I think about 85% of their game you can apply it to certain positions. I always encourage our players to watch the best. I believe in watching the best practice and then trying to practice your best if you want to get better.”