Why there is perspective for Doncaster Rovers' new signing amid play-off and Wembley pain - plus playmaker on unfinished Championship business

Doncaster Rovers’ new signing was part of a Solihull Moors side who were defeated twice in the space of six days at Wembley earlier this month, losing out not once but on two occasions via the dreaded penalty shoot-out route.

After losing out to Bromley in the National League play-off final, Sbarra - who netted in regulation time - was part of a Moors team who were then edged out by Gateshead in the FA Trophy showpiece. It proved to be his last game for the club.

Back in June 2022, Sbarra had previously copped play-off final woe when Moors lost out to Grimsby Town, across the capital at the London Stadium.

So it’s understandable that the former Burton Albion play-maker will gladly settle for promotion via the conventional route next season.

Just for good measure, the side he even supports in West Brom, have also suffered misfortune in the end-of-season lottery in 23-24.

Rovers’ wounds are yet to heal following their own play-off pain in recent times, with manager Grant McCann’s defiant declaration amid the wreckage of their semi-final penalty elimination to Crewe Alexandra that they would be targeting the League Two title next term something that Sbarra would fully comprehend.

But even accounting for his own tough experiences, Sbarra has personal perspective. Things can be a lot worse.

Last summer, the attacking number ten was diagnosed with a heart issue and spent time in hospital.

A regular for two seasons and vital cog in Moors line-up, Sbarra spent time away from the club and returned to training last December

Thankfully, he has now fully recovered. It was a worrying time all the same.

Sbarra said: "There’s a lot worse things (than losing in a final). But when you are in that situation with penalties where you are kick away from promotion potentially, it’s always going to be hard.

"But there’s other things to put into perspective and it just makes me more hungry to be honest and gives me more motivation.

"It’s given me a new sense of motivation to repay the trust of the gaffer and staff and fans with their nice messages. Hopefully I can be a hit.

"It’d be ideal if we just missed the play-offs out (next season). I’ve had a stinker with them, to be honest. The motivation and aim is to go up automatically.”

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Happy to sign up for a new ‘journey’ with Doncaster, Sbarra - at 25 - had a taste of the Championship in his early years at Burton.

It is a division which Rovers were last involved in a decade ago in 2013-14, their fifth season in six at that level. It showed what can be achieved and is the main reason why McCann returned to the club for a second crack last May.

On his own sense of his own unfinished Championship business, Sbarra – who scored 36 goals in 149 appearances at Moors - added: “It feels like the right place and right time for me.

"I’ve done my time finding myself and making myself the player I am along with a lot of help from people. But now I feel it’s the right time to kick on now and get back to where I want to be in the EFL and hopefully be part of a journey at Doncaster rising up the leagues.

"As a player, everyone wants to play as high as they can and I experienced that a little bit. I want to go back there and get Doncaster Rovers there. I think we’ve foundations to and we’ve got to hit everything full on and the gaffer has got the same aim.”

Widely regarded as one of the leading creative players in the National League, most certainly in his position, Sbarra provides something that Rovers lacked in the 2023-24 season, for all the thrills of the final third of the campaign.

A clever player who can drop into pockets behind central strikers with excellent close control, intrinsic skill, a low centre of gravity and capable of receiving the ball on the ‘half-turn’, the Midlander will add another creative element to Rovers.

He added: "It’s probably my best position (number ten). I can fill in other positions. But if somebody said what would I be, I’d be that and I am delighted he (McCann) sees that as well and it gives me a bit of confidence that he’s on the same page.

"I am high energy and like to make things happen with goals and assists and bring just a bit of excitement. I’m a football fan and I try and translate that onto the pitch in my performances. As I was growing up, I really liked watching (Andreas) Iniesta. Those are the sort of players I try and take things from. Obviously, I’m not saying I am like him!

"David Silva was another one I loved watching. You take a bit of inspiration and try some of the stuff they do.

"I just like football. I’ve been brought up with it and my dad got me into it. We watch any old football, to be fair. Whatever is on the telly.”