Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton has compared Scott Sinclair's recent performances to that of Newcastle United's Elliot Anderson, who spent half of last term at the Memorial Stadium.
Anderson shone for Barton and Rovers during his loan spell, helping the Gas to an unlikely final day promotion from League Two when they managed to beat Scunthorpe United 7-0 to go up on goal difference.
It was the 20-year-old Geordie who bagged the seventh and final goal to put Barton and co into the automatic places at Northampton Town's expense.
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Anderson returned to St James' Park this past summer and has managed to force his way into Eddie Howe's first team plans. In his absence, Barton has turned to former Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair to fill the creative void left by Anderson.
Sinclair started his professional career with Bristol Rovers and recently returned to the Memorial Stadium on a short-term contract.
His return seems to be paying dividends for former Newcastle midfielder Barton, with Sinclair having netted two winners against Rochdale and League One promotion chasers Peterborough United.
And speaking about Sinclair's impressive form since he rejoined the Gas, Barton believes the 33-year-old confident performances are similar to that of Anderson's last term.
"It’s the lads knowing they can pass to him and they just know there is a calmness," said Barton. "His close control, his weight of pass, the way he loans the ball to other players, you always want good players in your team because they radiate calmness.
"I remember Elliot Anderson last year, he just radiated confidence out, and certainly Scott has since he’s come into the starting XI. He’s just got that composure and that has radiated out into the people who are close to him in the game."
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