Elliot Anderson had a loan spell at Bristol Rovers early in his career, but wasn’t originally wanted by then manager Joey Barton, before the club realised his talent
Elliot Anderson was initially rejected by Joey Barton and Bristol Rovers – only for the former manager to change his stance and be proved wrong by the England star.
The Nottingham Forest ace, previously on Newcastle’s books, was looking for regular minutes earlier in his career and dropped down to League Two. Initially those from the Memorial Stadium had their sights on someone else, with Anderson proving a back-up option.
So much so that they originally weren’t keen on taking the then Newcastle youngster on loan. Even when he arrived he was told that opportunities were likely going to be at a premium, but Anderson’s quality quickly had them changing their mind.
His quality later had Barton, who would lead Bristol Rovers to promotion that season in dramatic style, giving him a nickname that drew comparisons with the great Diego Maradona.
Anderson told the Daily Mail: “I was struggling to get a loan and Joey said he could only do it in the summer. I was gutted but then he said: ‘Go on then, we will.’ So I go down and they told me they were originally after someone else and that it was going to be really tough for me to get in the team as they were winning. It was fine.
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“That’s exactly why I had stepped out of my comfort level. To try to play in a senior team. Then after training the next day I think they just thought, ‘Oh, OK… he can actually play’. I came on at half-time of the first game – Sutton away – and basically played every one after that. I never looked back.’
Barton would make it clear to Anderson, then still a teenager, that England recognition was within his sights after being hugely impressed with what he could offer. The man nicknamed the ‘Geordie Maradona’ crediting the former Manchester City midfielder with having a huge influence on his development.
“I loved working under him,” Anderson said. “He helped me so much when I was there. He was just really nice to me and gave me that platform to go and play. Joey’s message to me was about believing in myself. He played once for England and just used to say to me: ‘If I have got one cap, then you can get a hundred.’ That really lifted me.”
Anderson’s England exploits have seen his stock skyrocket with Manchester United now keen on a summer move. The midfielder admitting that he wouldn’t be where he is had he not been sold by Newcastle for £35m, with his form at the City Ground proving crucial.
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