Peterborough had a hard job in replacing top striker Mackail-Smith and turned to Emile Sinclair. Tom Beck reviews Peterborough's new front man. Follow him on Twitter: @twjbeck
This summer’s eventful transfer window closed on 31st August. The biggest transfer of the window was undoubtedly Cesc Fabregas’ return move to his hometown club, Barcelona. Arsenal also parted with Samir Nasri, as the Frenchman moved to the blue of Manchester City. Despite these high-profile signings, there was one transfer move that caught my eye more than others. This, of course, was Emile Sinclair’s £150k transfer from Macclesfield Town to Peterborough United.
The Leeds-born Forward began his career at Nottingham Forest, following being released from Bradford City, in 2006. In an experimental preseason for Forest in 2007, Sinclair was given a chance in the first team alongside a group of other youngsters. However, despite scoring his first career goal against Gillingham and given a new improved 2-year contract, he was sent out on loan to several clubs from the 2007/08 season. The most successful spell of these loan deals was certainly at Field Mill, as Sinclair bagged four goals in just 10 games for Mansfield Town. Following his struggle to cement a first team place, he was released by Colin Calderwood and the pacey Striker decided to drop down the Football League to join Macclesfield Town in the summer of 2009.
Despite being a powerful and strong Striker, Macclesfield boss, Gary Simpson, looked to take advantage of Sinclair’s raw pace and often played his new signing on the left wing, during his first season at the club. However, Sinclair scored just seven goals, as the out of position Striker was often clumsy in possession.
However, this all changed at the beginning of this season. Sinclair’s feet were now as quick as his mind and he was finding himself in space, behind the backline time after time. Following the sale of Tyrone Barnett to Crawley Town, Simpson changed Macclesfield’s formation to a 4-5-1; using Sinclair as the lone Centre Forward. Four goals in seven games lead to transfer rumours of a move up the leagues before the window closed – and it was finally confirmed on deadline day.
Peterborough brought in Sinclair as an ideal replacement for Brighton’s new recruit, Craig Mackail-Smith, their top-goalscorer for the previous two seasons. Posh’s new signing has certainly started well, scoring a well-taken brace against Burnley in just his second game. In theory, Sinclair is the perfect player to take Mackail-Smith’s role. A constant runner into channels, a tireless worker and now with the added competence of goals - Sinclair is a real threat.
20/9/2011