Joey Barton has been showing Aaron Collins clips of Robert Lewandowski to help the in-form Bristol Rovers striker enhance his game.
Collins has been a driving force behind the Gas' surge into promotion contention in recent months, scoring all nine of his League Two goals in 16 appearances since December, with the 24-year-old seeming to add new edges to his game with each passing week.
Rovers boss Barton had always intended to use Collins as a wide forward or number 10 after signing him last summer, but injuries to frontline strikers forced the former Forest Green Rovers man into the number nine role and he has snatched the opportunity.
Collins' 11th goal in all competitions this season came on Tuesday, scoring Rovers' second with a fine finish in the vital victory at Crawley, and Barton says part of the striker's improvement has been sparked by studying the game's elite. The manager likened his role to that of Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, with Bayern Munich star Lewandowski the latest homework assignment.
"I'm really happy with Aaron," Barton said. "He’s filled the number nine jersey in the absence of a recognised number nine. He’s made it his own role.
"We spoke to him about the way Bobby Firmino plays it for Liverpool, that kind of in-and-out false nine position and on Tuesday night I thought he was outstanding against a really back three in Tony Craig, (Jordan) Tunnicliffe and (Joel) Lynch, lads who have got a lot of experience in their careers and some of it at a higher level.
"I thought he terrorised them all evening with his movement and, obviously, he got a goal, which all strikers are judged on. His overall play was superb.
"Yesterday, I was sending him videos of Robert Lewandowski’s performance in the Bayern vs Salzburg to show him different types of movement for his natural ability in the nine. He’s not a very big, post up number nine, he’s a very mobile version of it and his touch and creativity and his ability to run with the ball as a ball carried give him unique qualities for that position.
"Goals have been there in recent weeks and months, which everyone is aware of, but his overall performances and tracking back for the team have been outstanding."
The gulf in class between the fourth tier and the Champions League may be huge, but Barton believes any developing player should pay attention to those setting the world-leading standard in their positon.
"You should always be watching the best. If you want to be a top boxer, you want to watch the top boxers," the manager added. "If you want to be a top golfer, you want to watch the top golfers.
"Sometimes it’s difficult to replicate what they do, such is the talent of those boys, but also there are lots of things that they do that you can add to your game.
"What they tend to do really well is the basics. Yeah, there are some things at the top end of their performance that sets them apart and does make them some of the best players in the world, but I think about 85 per cent of their game you can take buts it and apply it into your game for certain positions.
"I always encourage our players to watch the best. I believe in watching the best practice and trying to practice at your best if you want to get better."
Collins will be eager to continue his scoring form when Rovers host Harrogate Town at the Mem on Saturday as the Gas close in on the League Two play-off places. Barton, though, is expecting a difficult challenge against a Sulpherites side fighting to keep their outside chances of a play-off spot alive.
"We know we’ll be in for a tough game," Barton said. "Harrogate are always fit, they’re always aggressive, they’re always trying to get amongst you and they will certainly come to our place and test us and we look forward to that challenge.
"It’ll be a real test for us again, we’ll have to keep the back door closed, but you know the way we play, we’re very aggressive, we’re on the front foot, we want to be defending on the halfway line. We’ve got the adage of Belly’s athleticism from that position.
"We play the way we play, it’s exciting to watch and it’s harem-scarem and we back ourselves to score more goals than the opposition due to the quality of players we’ve got on the frontline.
"If you look at Harrogate, they are in the middle of the table and they need to get their foot down to try to have a say in the play-off picture, as Crawley were.
"We’re playing them at a tough time because their season is pretty much on the line. If they can get a result and a performance against us, it might give them a spark for the last few games of the season, and equally, they’re fighting for their lives to keep their season alive, but so are we."
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