Forgotten Man
One of English football’s forgotten souls – Scott Sinclair was once a dangerous, goal-scoring winger who would scare the life out defenders with his blistering pace.
However, despite his recent decline the 25-year-old is still regarded a hero amongst Swansea supporters for his glittering two-year spell with the club – the highlight being a Sinclair hat-trick at Wembley in the Championship play-off final victory over Reading in 2011.
He scored 22 times in Swansea’s promotion season and Sinclair continued his form into the Premier League, albeit the majority of his goals coming from the penalty spot.
Roberto Mancini liked what he saw and came in for him in the summer of 2012, paying the Swans £6.2 million.
The former Chelsea youngster had catapulted his way back to the top of the game and was starting to realise his potential.
However, fast-forward to 2015 and Sinclair’s City record reads just THREE starts and 19 substitute appearances in two-and-a-half seasons (he’s only played 25 minutes for City this season).
Loan Chance
To say he lost his way would be an understatement. He was shifted on loan to West Brom last season to link up with his former coach Steve Clarke – but even he couldn’t get anything out of him.
Disinterested, complacent and still getting paid at the end of the day was probably his attitude. He also has ex-Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan with him at home so who could blame him?
After eventually penning a loan deal with Villa until to the end of the season, the time is now for Sinclair, and based on what he told the club website, you get a feeling he wants to prove himself.
“I am still hungry to play football,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting started, hopefully playing every week and enjoying my football.
“I believe I have my best years ahead of me. This is a new challenge, a new chapter in my life, and hopefully I can settle in as quickly as possible, have a good start and go from there.”
Did you know: Sinclair played 14 times for Birmingham City during a loan spell in 2009.
In the short-term it’s a massive gamble for Villa, and for manager Paul Lambert, who needs results because his side are staring down the barrel.
There’s also a lot of questions surrounding this deal, which is hardly surprising considering Sinclair has hardly kicked a ball in nearly three years, but at least the on loan ‘trial period’ protects the club from any long-term shortfalls.
Villa’s Wing Needs
Beggars can’t be choosers and Villa have been craving for an out-and-out winger all season – someone who stays wide, beats his man and can score a goal or two.
Andi Weimann, Charles N’Zogbia and Gabby Agbonlahor have all failed so far this season, but then again, are they proper wingers?
The man to potentially benefit from Sinclair’s arrival is Christian Benteke, who has looked out of sorts in recent weeks.
The Belgian craves good service into the box and feeds off it. Can Sinclair bring the best of him? Only time will tell.
And it’s time that will be answer here. On paper Villa have signed a young Englishman from the current champions. Sinclair has lost his way a little yes, but he earned the right to sign for one of the richest clubs in the world.
(pic: Sinclair and Cleverley celebrate a goal for Team GB)
It’s Arsenal and his former club Chelsea up next and Sinclair will want to announce himself back on the scene – a bit like an old face turning up unannounced at the Rovers Return Inn.
It’s time to raise some eyebrows again – this time for his performances on the football field and not for his girlfriend’s raunchy shoots in the tabloids.
UTV
I hope I’m wrong but all I see is ‘ex villa loanee’ added to ‘ex albion’ and ‘ex small heath’ There’s no doubt a player in there somewhere but Sinclair (the footballer) looks like the classic case of promising next big thing snapped up by mega rich club to stop anyone else getting him. Nobody can blame a young man for taking a mega payday but when he signed for city he effectively put his best development years on-hold. What’s left in the tank is anyone’s guess? but for us, a loan deal is a bit of a no-brainer and it shows some intent to change our style of play again.
Most of us would agree (not least our current centre midfield) that to have a wide player outlet available going forward would see us create more chances, marauding full backs need covering (well ours do) and this reduces the attacking outlet, they’re also not as adept at putting the ball on the money when it finally comes to crossing the ball.
Surely Lambert’s not going to consider setting us up to play a genuine 4-4-2 !
We shall see in the coming weeks but with the promise that Gil has shown I can’t help feeling a little excited about the possibilities now.
And finally where does all this leave our Jack? Lambert clearly rates his potential (recent 4 year contract) but obviously don’t trust him at the moment? personally I would have liked to see more of him this season, but reckon I might have to go to Nottingham to do this now!
The way I’m thinking about it is this – I was a bit of a div early 20s blasting my money, getting wrecked, being lazy, we all did it. By my mid twenties I sorta just knew I needed to stop fucking about if I wanted to get anything important for myself. Footballers get paid loads but we’re all human. I hope for Sinclair it’s the same and he’s now starting to mentally become a man.
I don’t see this as a gamble for anyone other than him really. We don’t have to buy him but get the option to. If he’s cack we send him back and if he’s good then even better
UTV
Yep, good reasoning, Dean. He’s got a kid on the way, so that will also hopefully help him step up too. UTV
Sinclair hasn’t just lost his way, he’s fallen off a cliff.
I really hope he has changed his attitude, which has been to take the money and run, every month for a few years now. His hunger left him when he left Swansea, and seemed content to sit out the rest of his career and count the cash, and his new hunger was his celebrity partner.
During his disastrous season at the baggies, said partner, made it clear, that they were having a house built in the London area, because that’s where her place of work was, and they had no intention of staying in the Birmingham area at the end of his loan.
So they are back, is it to kick start his career? Or just another easy few pay days? I hope the former, but fear it’s the latter, and a waste of time and money for Villa.
Well, at the end of the loan they can always punt him into touch, if he is slacking off. It’s smart to use the loan option on him.