Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton gives his five-word assessment of Aaron Collins’ World Cup chances.
Aaron Collins has carried on his spectacular form from last season to become Bristol Rovers’ ‘talisman’ this season.
Following Bristol Rovers’ 4-1 win over Cheltenham Town, when Joey Barton and Aaron Collins traded media responsibilities, the manager walked down the steps at Whaddon Road, yelling back to his star striker, “I’ve done all I can Azza, I can’t say any more.”
While it may be a late run for what appears to be an unlikely spot in Rob Page’s Wales team, there’s not much more Barton can say about the 25-year-old but, more crucially, there’s not much more Rovers’ No10 can do.
With his brace at Cheltenham and an assist for Antony Evans’ goal, he now has 14 goal contributions for the season – eight goals and six assists; only Jevani Brown of Exeter City has more (15).
Collins’ finishing is outstanding, and despite the fact that his two goals against the Robins were frighteningly identical in that he measured up Luke Southwood 1vs1 before skipping to his left and firing into an empty net, it showed a man functioning at peak confidence, to the point where everything appears to be easy.
He also offers significant innovation to the Gas, operating on the outside, in spaces just off the defense, which forces the opponent to make difficult decisions about how to stop him.
“What more can he do?” Barton stated. “We are frequently the last to find out. The Welsh selections and Rob Page will be discussing it.
“Azza is a proud Welshman, and he’ll want that phone call or letter or whatever they do, but all he can do is keep scoring goals at every opportunity.” He did that today; if anyone was observing him, they’d go back with ticks in the box, which only helps his prospects.
“It’s a long shot, but it’s not impossible; how many World Cups have we seen gate-crashed by late arrivals?” I recall my first World Cup, Italia 90, and the Gascoigne situation; might a Welsh version of that exist? There have been a couple (Salvatore) Schillacis in there.
“We’ll be on the lookout for him.” If we lose him, it will be a huge blow for us, since losing a player to the World Cup from League One is quite unusual.
“But, again, it’ll be a great thing for everyone involved, so he just has to keep putting it in the net and hopefully the call will come someday, if not for this World Cup, I imagine he’ll get one if he keeps doing what he’s doing.”
Page must submit his preliminary list to FIFA by next Friday, which may contain up to 55 names, and it’s not unrealistic to expect Collins to be included in that enlarged group, which will then be considered for the following three weeks before final teams are announced on November 14.
Rovers have five more games before that date, three of which are against opposition that could be a more accurate guide for any Welsh scouts than a Cheltenham defence that was far too welcoming in the idyllic confines of Gloucestershire on Saturday.
Rovers face league leaders Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, and Derby County after Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy match against Swindon. If Collins inflicts more damage on those defenses, the middle game on Sky Sports, which broadcasts him to a larger audience, will undoubtedly help his cause.
Competition will be fierce: Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Tyler Roberts, and Brenneth Johnson are all confirmed for Qatar 2022, but there appears to be one more attacking slot left in Page’s 26-man squad, and there is always the possibility of pre-tournament injuries.
“We all know what a good player he is,” said Barton. “His form has continued from the second half of last season, and it’s not been a short period; he’s maintaining good consistency to his level of performance, and he’s added goals and assists, which has everyone sitting up and taking notice.”
“But it’s the shift, the work rate he puts in for the team, and he’s a team player.” Obviously, he is our current talisman, but I thought there were a lot of outstanding performances out there. Not only in terms of attacking, but also in terms of defensive performance.”
