Whipping boy?

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Clarke, whilst not doing all that much, did more than Billy who hardly touched the ball all game (something common in our away performances so far).

Billy sticks the ball in the net given the chance and we can't ask for much more. But if he doesn't score, his overall contribution is next to nothing.
 



Scooter_mcgavin said:
Clarke, whilst not doing all that much, did more than Billy who hardly touched the ball all game (something common in our away performances so far).

Billy sticks the ball in the net given the chance and we can't ask for much more. But if he doesn't score, his overall contribution is next to nothing.
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I have gone to great lengths to explain why this is so. And why it's likely to continue.

As it stands, I'd be inclined to drop Sharp and give CD, LC and possibly CE (if match fit) a go.

UTB
 
S5Blade said:
I thought he was superb last night. Number of headers he won, flick ons, holding the ball up while people got forward. He does need to pull the trigger a bit more but he would be perfect alongside Donaldson (in a world where Billy doesnt exist) - He even made some runs last night!
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Clarke was superb last night? For me he was some way off that. His anticipation and reaction in games, especially last night was very slow, there was a ball come across the box and I would've backed anyone of our strikers to be on the end of it but he was seen to be flat footed, not for the first time.

He does some great things but then his decision making in general and his final ball just goes anywhere, leading you to think what the fucking hell was that on way too many occasions. He does have his uses and for me would be better coming off the bench but I don't think he was anywhere near superb last night.

The defence on the other hand were superb although Lafferty was found wanting a few times but he's not had much game time so it's understandable.
 
Sean Thornton said:
A tactical decision by the manager to counter Boltons hoof in the last twenty minutes paid off. What's to moan about ?

Oh, wait.....
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So Clarke won his headers then ?

Have another go. He didn't. He is not strong in the air. Popular misconception.

UTB
 
DronnieBlade said:
Clarke is given FAR too much slack for a 5.5 game purple patch at the end of last season.

Just telling it as it is.

He needs to up his game back towards this level. For the sake of the team, I hope he does.

I'll predict he won't do it. I'll also predict that the gaffer will continue to have faith in him. Misplaced faith. IMHO.

Sharp must be foaming to be constantly dragged after 70 mins. Especially when Clarke remains on the pitch. This in particular does not sit well with me. It's detrimental to the team.

Again, all abart opinions.

UTB
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Would you rather he played Hanson who does everything less well?
 
Who do we play upfront then if not Clarke in the absence of Donaldson?

Because Evans and Lavery are much less likely to score than Clarke. And then theres 1 goal Jimmy.
If it ain't broke, do not fix it.
 
Lane Ender said:
Lafferty looks very uncomfortable at this level I think he'll go the same way as Hussey.
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I think we'll struggle to find a left back better than Lafferty happy to deputize for Stevens.
And I know it's a nice idea to find someone as good or better than Stevens in January and push Stevens down the pecking order but that alone will cost a couple of million... reminder we somehow picked up Enda for NOWT.

I agree Stevens is a level above Lafferty but I still think Lafferty is a decent left back, good cover at this level for me.

Ideally we'd have a Baldock/Freeman situation on the right and left but that's probably not realistic on both wings, we're very blessed on the right.
 
Tyler Durden said:
A deafening silence on this forum when he's banging them in and then they all turn out with their pitchforks on the rare occasion that he doesn't, fucking ingrates.
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A bit OTT that to be honest. Plenty on here wade in to defend him.

Tyler Durden said:
Ah well, at least one of us appreciates him.
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What about Pinchy's collection of straw men? He must have some he could lend you for your one man 'Billy to be knighted' campaign.
 



wizadry said:
The amount of balls we aimed to Clarke in the air is not how we play which was pretty bewildering to watch, especially against a tall and physical side like Bolton.
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We lost our mettle big time. We could've and should've footballed them to death. Brooks should've been on sooner for me, thought he was great.

Nerrmind, 3 points is all that matters. We'll show em up at the Lane - if they still exist by then.
 
DronnieBlade said:
Sharp must be foaming to be constantly dragged after 70 mins. Especially when Clarke remains on the pitch. This in particular does not sit well with me. It's detrimental to the team.
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I don't agree with that. Each game will be different, but I thought yesterday the decision was obvious on who to leave on and it was rightly Clarke, particularly when it's more likely Sharp rather than Clarke will play Saturday if Donaldson is back in.
 
I should coco said:
A bit OTT that to be honest. Plenty on here wade in to defend him.



What about Pinchy's collection of straw men? He must have some he could lend you for your one man 'Billy to be knighted' campaign.
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Oh the knighthood campaign is a long way off, right now I'm busy running the Billy To Be Barely Fucking Appreciated campaign......and I'm very short-staffed.
 
LoughboroBlade said:
I don't agree with that. Each game will be different, but I thought yesterday the decision was obvious on who to leave on and it was rightly Clarke, particularly when it's more likely Sharp rather than Clarke will play Saturday if Donaldson is back in.
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But it's Sharp that has been dragged 5 or 6 out of 7 games.

Never said it wasn't "right" last night. Even though I'll stand by my assessment Clarke was poor.

UTB
 
DronnieBlade said:
But it's Sharp that has been dragged 5 or 6 out of 7 games.

Never said it wasn't "right" last night. Even though I'll stand by my assessment Clarke was poor.

UTB
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My point is that given he's likely to start every match it's natural we will want to conserve some of that energy so that we're not having to rest him. It's a similar situation to Duffy in my opinion. Add in there will be some games where we struggle to get the ball to him (last night and Middlesbrough being recent examples) and it makes sense he's the one to be lifted.
 
adebo said:
Would you rather he played Hanson who does everything less well?
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Agreed.

But the similarity of views that our fans have of Hanson ring true with Clarke.

Neither are technically good.

Neither are that strong in the air. Particularly Clarke.

The consistency of possession turnover when both are directly involved in play is unacceptably high.

Look. It's clear that some supporters have an affiliation to this "type" of player.

Players that genuinely struggle to control a football consistently do not court favour with moi.

UTB
 
dannysufc_ said:
You clearly weren't at Sunderland or there yesterday.
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Correct, since I live in Manila. But I watched both games on iFollow. He was better last night, but I am yet to be convinced.

I should coco said:
And the prize for the first bitter anti-Blade rant goes to....
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Bitter about what? I'm as delirious as the next Blade with how things are going. Just not sure where he fits into the puzzle, was an odd signing. Even the (admittedly mental) Oxford fans questioned it.

"I have every faith in Wilder ...he's bound to get one or two signings wrong (but rarely at great expense, so always worth the risk).Hopefully this guy will prove me wrong"

Such a "rant".
 
LoughboroBlade said:
My point is that given he's likely to start every match it's natural we will want to conserve some of that energy so that we're not having to rest him. It's a similar situation to Duffy in my opinion. Add in there will be some games where we struggle to get the ball to him (last night and Middlesbrough being recent examples) and it makes sense he's the one to be lifted.
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And my point is that in games like last night, and Boro, Bill may as well sit in the stand.

Have we not learned the lessons of Blackwell ?

Play him to his strengths, or don't bother. It's that simple.

UTB
 
wizadry said:
The amount of balls we aimed to Clarke in the air is not how we play which was pretty bewildering to watch, especially against a tall and physical side like Bolton.
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This.

Especially when he won very few of his battles. With the inevitable turnover of possession.

Hey ho. Plenty don't see it like that, even when the facts are there for all to see !

It's this fucking Mandela effect. Parallel universes and all that !!!!

UTB
 
I have a pal who constantly claims Curruthers shows nothing.. I like him myself and think he is a decent option. Opinions eh!!
 



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