Joey Barton believes "huge" talent Elliot Anderson was a level above everyone else on the pitch as he inspired Bristol Rovers' win over Colchester United on Tuesday.
Colchester's deep-lying defence was largely successful in negating Rovers' attack at the Mem, but they had no luck containing Anderson, even when doubling up on the Newcastle United prospect. The 19-year-old always looked likely to be the source of a breakthrough for the Gas and he duly delivered four minutes into the second half, curling into the top corner.
Expectation filled the air whenever Anderson received the ball on Tuesday, beating defenders with rare ease and the manner with which he took his goal highlighted why he is a talent destined for a higher level. Rovers were struggling to create chances and a lesser player may have snatched at the opportunity or approached it timidly. Instead, the Geordie mustered both power and precision to give goalkeeper Shamal George no chance, giving a glimpse of Anderson's superior technique.
Rovers have several players capable of conjuring a moment of magic in their squad, but Anderson – who has three goals in a Rovers shirt since joining on loan on deadline day in January – is proving to be on another level.
Barton, inspired by studying iconic Liverpool manager Bill Shankley in recent days, saw shades of Diego Maradona and Tom Finney in Anderson's performance on Tuesday.
"I’ve been listening to Bill Shankly in the last couple of days," the manager explained. "I spent about four hours listening to different talks just listening to him talk about football. Not much has really changed. The simple concept of football and what it takes, players' size and players' heights.
"In there he talks about a 19-year-old Diego Maradona. He talked about how good of a player he thinks he’s going to be. He compares him to Tom Finney. He says Tom Finney is the greatest player he has ever seen and when a man like Bill Shankly says that you know you have to take notice.
"He spoke about Tom Finney’s ability to beat you with his back to goal. Beat you when he’s on the side. He said the difference with Tom was that when he faced you up and looked at you, he could also take you on, but then when he got in and around the penalty area, he slowed down and he was mega-calculated.
"When I see young Billy Elliot, it’s far too early to compare him to those greats over the years, but he certainly excites you. The goal he scores tonight, it ends up being the matchwinner, but overall he was a standout performer on the park tonight and that was in the midst of some great players.
"I thought there were some great performances and good players out there but I thought tonight he showed a different gear, another level."
Anderson may be the latest Rovers player to take the limelight after a thrilling performance and a crucial goal, but Barton made clear Rovers' greatest strength is the squad at large.
He explained: "We’ve had a message running throughout the group that if this was easy to do everybody would do it every season. It’s difficult for a reason, winning, getting promoted, building successful cultures and successful football clubs.
"Not everybody can do it and it takes everybody. I went back into my Bill Walsh books on Sunday when I was home. I got a spare half an hour when the kids were out of the house.
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"I was reading some of the words I’d highlighted from years ago. It said 'The victory belongs to and is earned by all'. It’s not just one person. Elliot Anderson gets the plaudits and the headlines today, but if you think about the countless counter-attacks and transitional moments that were stopped by our midfield, whether that’s Paul Coutts in there, Connor Taylor, Nick Anderton, James Connolly or Luca Hoole.
"James Belshaw has probably had his quietest night in a Rovers shirt this evening, but again everybody is playing their role and the fans are massive in that. Victory belongs to all and if we’re successful this season and we manage in these last nine games to continue our momentum it will truly be a club effort from the owner down. He made some big decisions and we haven’t looked back since."
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