http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2037883,00.html
Scouting report - Scott Sinclair, Plymouth Argyle
Steve Claridge Tuesday March 20, 2007
Check this lad's passport. I must have been a slow developer because Scott
Sinclair, at 17, is a very special player even at that age. I'm not one to
go over the top about youngsters whose careers are still in their infancy
and can go one way or another. This teenager still has an awful lot to
learn if he is to fulfil his potential but already all the signs suggest
Sinclair could take the game by storm.
Whether he goes on to prosper will depend as much upon him as a person as
him as a player but even there the signs are promising. Taken from Bristol
Rovers - whom he had joined at nine - by Chelsea in 2005, he has been
touted as the first young player to come through the ranks and make his
mark at the club since Roman Abramovich took over and that in itself is an
indication of how good he is.
Chelsea allowed him to go on loan to Plymouth and he has clearly benefited
under Ian Holloway. You can see a little of Cristiano Ronaldo in his play.
He is comfortable on either foot, attacks people at real pace and can go
either way. Like the Manchester United winger, he benefits from incredibly
quick feet and is as pacey with the ball as without it. Against Watford in
the FA Cup sixth round he was such a threat that the visitors were forced
to change personnel to combat him.
His attitude was fantastic, getting goal-side and doubling up on his
opponent, helping his full-back out and, in turn, showing a facet of his
character that suggests this boy has a chance. That, as far as I'm
concerned, was as important as witnessing the obvious ability that he has.
He was quite mature in the way he played. His positioning when joining in
attacks meant that, when he had to offer his team-mates an option slightly
inside where he normally played, he did it cleverly without congesting
things in the centre. Similarly, when the time was right, he made the
pitch big again.
I've played with players whose game is solely based around pace. If you
put similar pace up against them, then it will negate their threat. But
Sinclair has so much more to offer. There's an unpredictability when
needed - someone who can see a pass early from wide positions. His choices
of when to beat his man or release the ball when he was one against one,
or when teams doubled up on him, also meant he created space for others
just by his presence.
The kid has scored four times this campaign but two would have to be
considered goals of the season: against Barnet in the Cup and Crystal
Palace on Saturday. On both occasions he collected the ball deep inside
his own half, ran the length of the pitch and then showed that little bit
extra that all great players require - the strength and composure to
finish brilliantly. The shot he bent over Gabor Kiraly and in off the
crossbar on Saturday was stunning.
People say we don't produce young talent in this country any more. Believe
you me, we have a good set of young lads coming through and Sinclair could
prove the best of the lot.
How he rates
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Age - 17
Born - Bath
Position - Forward
Height - 5ft 9in
Weight - 10st 10lb
From - Chelsea, on loan since January
Pace - 9/10
Attitude - 9/10
Shooting - 9/10
Passing - 8/10
Team responsibility - 9/10
Valuation - Could be anything. Chelsea would be mad to let him go
--
But you saved me! As difficult and as frustrating as it's been sometimes,
your goddamn strict rationalism and science have saved me a thousand times
over! You've kept me honest, made me a whole person. I owe you everything,
Scully, and you owe me nothing. I don't know if I wanna do this alone...
I don't even know if I can... and if I quit now, they win.
- Fox Mulder
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