Sorry Leon but .......

[Bartleby]

He’s a confidence striker

Not sure if it's about confidence or summat else in his psyche. Last season it was in the Pigs away game when he really start firing on all cylinders . We all saw the footage on the way into the ground, them lot calling him Wensdy Reject and boy did he make them take that back.

Put in a reyt shift today as well. It'll come back and we'll all be shouting his name again this season I reckon.

Billy has to start for me as well.

 

[originaltrueblade]

Should of took Leon Clarke off and put another Billy Sharp on then we would have got 5

 

[super_pig]

He was better today than he has been so far this season.

But he’s not a patch on the player he looked this time last season, will he get back to those levels again? or do we need another option?

this time last season it was the same stuff.. not good enough for champonship blah blah

 

[super_pig]

Should of took Leon Clarke off and put another Billy Sharp on then we would have got 5

*have!
i’m not much of a pedant but fuck me this one drives me nuts

 

[SB_90]

ive been a huge critic of Leon Clarke, said on here after middlesborough that he been live off September - December spell last season for too long. but he impressed me yesterday as it felt like with Norwood everyone had raised their game & Clarke no different best game for a while his off the ball play almost made up for miss many misses again

 

[Houston_Blade]

No mate. Find me a thread praising Billy. It’s ridiculous that there isn’t one. He ran his socks off yet there is a thread about a player who points and claps a lot? Watch the game back, you’ll see where I’m coming from.

I’m not saying Clarke was shite because he wasn’t but the fact he’s getting plaudits when Billy was far superior is pretty embarrassing.

No one has come on here slagging Billy off after the game, quite rightly. As has been mentioned below, it's possible to like both Billy and Leon at the same time.

I'd much rather have Leon up front than someone like Waghorn for 100 times the transfer fee. It's the fact that no matter what Leon does there will always be some criticism of him that annoys me. Certain posters even caveat any praise of Leon with "he did well but......" it's cringeworthy.

 

[Sheffsteel]

but he impressed me yesterday as it felt like with Norwood everyone had raised their game & Clarke no different best game for a while his off the ball play almost made up for miss many misses again

Totally agree, yesterday it seemed like we’d acquired a conductor for the orchestra.
We played more like a team unit compared to the Swansea game and Norwood was Mr Reliable showing for the ball, making all kinds of short and long passes and setting the tempo for our team.

Everyone seemed to up their game slightly because with Norwood we knew we could have spells of controlled possession.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I'd much rather have Leon up front than someone like Waghorn for 100 times the transfer fee. It's the fact that no matter what Leon does there will always be some criticism of him that annoys me. Certain posters even caveat any praise of Leon with "he did well but......" it's cringeworthy.

I think it’s because both Sharp and Clarke have limitations. Sharp is much better than Clarke at some things whereas Clarke is much better than Sharp at other things, they’re different types of strikers. Instead of criticising their limitations we should accept them and focus more on what they both offer.

The important aspect for me is their attitude, work rate and commitment towards SUFC and this is where both (especially Sharp) excel.
Personally I’d much rather have a Sharp/ Clarke type than a highly talented mercenary who doesn’t give a shit.

The sad thing is they’ll both be universally valued once they’ve retired.

 

[DaleHillBlade]

Sorry Leon but.. I know you have played a key role in each season you have played for us, and scored plenty of goals including two against them and four in one match against Hull. I know you work hard in each match (though I can't always see it because my blinkers get in the way) and that the rub of the green not gone your way in the huge run of games this season.

Sorry Leon but.. because you play a different role and have different attributes to another striker in the team, I'm going to make a direct comparison between you.

Sorry Leon but.. I have had an agenda against you since you signed for us and I'll take every opportunity to denigrate you as a player and as a man.

Sorry Leon but.. Sheffield United have fans who can look at a players performance and see the good and the bad, yours included. But I'm not one of them.

I am sorry, Leon.

 

[derfblade.3]

Stick by what i posted. Get a top centre forward and we will fly. If all the people who have knocked my post (and i respect everyone;s views), are happy with Leon then fair enough, but we will be going nowhere until we change it. Not good enough for me to drive us forward.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Stick by what i posted. Get a top centre forward and we will fly. If all the people who have knocked my post (and i respect everyone;s views), are happy with Leon then fair enough, but we will be going nowhere until we change it. Not good enough for me to drive us forward.

Agreed.

Vitally important for our future prospects that any fresh blood in the CF department is a direct replacement for Clarke, not Sharp.

Leon will still have an important role to play, and would be useful from Off the bench.

But having him on the pitch for every single minute of every single game is not doing him any good, and it’s most certainly doing the team any good either.

Neither McG or Woody look at this stage as if they will be able to step up with any degree of consistency. Both were in fact woeful yesterday.

Loaning Ched, several weeks before we actually needed to before the loan window closed, was perhaps a mistake. Understand the need for him to get pitch time, but as things have panned out, an Evans and Sharp pairing might, just might, have been our best option to start the campaign.

UTB

 

[DaleHillBlade]

Agreed.

Vitally important for our future prospects that any fresh blood in the CF department is a direct replacement for Clarke, not Sharp.

Leon will still have an important role to play, and would be useful from Off the bench.

But having him on the pitch for every single minute of every single game is not doing him any good, and it’s most certainly doing the team any good either.

Neither McG or Woody look at this stage as if they will be able to step up with any degree of consistency. Both were in fact woeful yesterday.

Loaning Ched, several weeks before we actually needed to before the loan window closed, was perhaps a mistake. Understand the need for him to get pitch time, but as things have panned out, an Evans and Sharp pairing might, just might, have been our best option to start the campaign.

UTB

You would replace Clarke with Evans??

 

[spongebobblade]

Stick by what i posted. Get a top centre forward and we will fly. If all the people who have knocked my post (and i respect everyone;s views), are happy with Leon then fair enough, but we will be going nowhere until we change it. Not good enough for me to drive us forward.

People have knocked your post because you said he looked uninterested, lacklustre and missed loads of chances yesterday which the rest of us who don’t have an agenda against him know is absolute bollocks. Name me a poster who has said we can’t do better than him. Off course we can but that applies to the whole team but whilever he puts in a shift he deserves our support..... and he put in a fantastic shift yesterday

 

[spongebobblade]

an Evans and Sharp pairing might, just might, have been our best option to start the campaign.

UTB

Your loathing of Clarke since the day he signed for us has no boundaries to the point where it’s clearly affecting your judgement.
Everyone is allowed an opinion of him on this forum but yours is and always has been so biased against him I suspect most forum members dismiss it now with the contempt it deserves.

 

[DronnieBlade]

You would replace Clarke with Evans??

Based on what was evident in pre season, and what we have witnessed in the first 450 minutes, I’d be gobsmacked if a very high percentage would not concur with this.

For the avoidance of doubt, I’m firmly in the yes camp as regards this. Clarke’s, and I’ll be kind here, slow start has been a major hindrance. Thus far.

UTB

 

[DaleHillBlade]

Based on what was evident in pre season, and what we have witnessed in the first 450 minutes, I’d be gobsmacked if a very high percentage would not concur with this.

For the avoidance of doubt, I’m firmly in the yes camp as regards this. Clarke’s, and I’ll be kind here, slow start has been a major hindrance. Thus far.

UTB

Of that I had no doubt whatsoever..

I'm not starting a poll, but a high percentage would bin off Clarke and replace with Evans?? Can't see it.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Your loathing of Clarke since the day he signed for us has no boundaries to the point where it’s clearly affecting your judgement.
Everyone is allowed an opinion of him on this forum but yours is and always has been so biased against him I suspect most forum members dismiss it now with the contempt it deserves.

Your use of the word loathing is inaccurate.

My criticisms have always been constructive and based on footballing reasons and footballing reasons alone. Nothing else.

If it’s more convenient for you if you, and a boatload of others, dismiss this as “ex pig loathing / never wanted him in the first place”, propaganda, then more fool you.

UTB

 

[spongebobblade]

Based on what was evident in pre season, and what we have witnessed in the first 450 minutes, I’d be gobsmacked if a very high percentage would not concur with this.

For the avoidance of doubt, I’m firmly in the yes camp as regards this. Clarke’s, and I’ll be kind here, slow start has been a major hindrance. Thus far.

UTB

What was evident pre season? With the exception of Portugal I watched every pre season game and Evans featured in none in this country. Leon had some off games as did the team but was excellent at Bradford

 

[DronnieBlade]

What was evident pre season? With the exception of Portugal I watched every pre season game and Evans featured in none in this country. Leon had some off games as did the team but was excellent at Bradford

Leon has had significantly more “off” games as you describe it in the last 8 months as he has had decent ones.

Make the connection

UTB

 

[spongebobblade]

Your use of the word loathing is inaccurate.

My criticisms have always been constructive and based on footballing reasons and footballing reasons alone. Nothing else.

If it’s more convenient for you if you, and a boatload of others, dismiss this as “ex pig loathing / never wanted him in the first place”, propaganda, then more fool you.

UTB

So why not shout it from the rooftops from September to December last year that you were wrong? The problem is your far quicker to jump on his back than to praise him

 

[spongebobblade]

Leon has had significantly more “off” games as you describe it in the last 8 months as he has had decent ones.

Make the connection

UTB

Billy had a similar spell during last season when he couldn’t find the net but I can’t remember you slating him (not that he deserved it). Not to mention how quick you were to remind us all last week that we must support Ched because he was still a Sheffield United player.
Double standards I’m afraid

 

[DronnieBlade]

So why not shout it from the rooftops from September to December last year that you were wrong? The problem is your far quicker to jump on his back than to praise him

You have a short memory.

I was able to praise, and did so willingly.

The brace at that place will live long.

But, and it’s a big one, there are SIGNIFICANT deficiencies in his all around game, which I have highlighted and backed up with sound, statistical evidence.

On top of which is what my eyeballs tell me. Week in, week out.

Look, for £150k from Bury 2 years ago Leon owes us precisely fuck all. Nada. Does that count as praise ?

However, it does not and should not detract from understanding that in the Championship, Leon’s role should really be more like impact sub rather than an every minute of every game type.

Just my opinion !

UTB

 

[Northyorksblade]

I'm not Clarkes biggest fan, but I thought he did ok today, What frustrates me though, is that he doesn't seem to break his neck to get on the end of crosses, won't gamble and go far post, when everyone else is going near? He's nearly always on the edge of the box, not sliding in agonisingly close to getting that vital touch to score the match winning goal.

It's his anticipation and positional sense that makes Sharp the better striker, in my opinion.

I don't agree. He doesn't break his neck to get on the end of crosses he knows he can't get to. I think he's a clever player who knows when and when not to do certain things.

 

[spongebobblade]

You have a short memory.

I was able to praise, and did so willingly.

The brace at that place will live long.

But, and it’s a big one, there are SIGNIFICANT deficiencies in his all around game, which I have highlighted and backed up with sound, statistical evidence.

On top of which is what my eyeballs tell me. Week in, week out.

Look, for £150k from Bury 2 years ago Leon owes us precisely fuck all. Nada. Does that count as praise ?

However, it does not and should not detract from understanding that in the Championship, Leon’s role should really be more like impact sub rather than an every minute of every game type.

Just my opinion !

UTB

As I’ve said, we will at some point replace him but as long as he’s putting in a shift and contributing then he deserves better.
With regards my short memory I would say let’s compare Cheds last 12 months to Leon’s. You see my point?
As you say. All about opinions

 

[DronnieBlade]

Billy had a similar spell during last season when he couldn’t find the net but I can’t remember you slating him (not that he deserved it). Not to mention how quick you were to remind us all last week that we must support Ched because he was still a Sheffield United player.
Double standards I’m afraid

Convenient spin on what was actually said.

I reminded a few Ched was still our player. That’s all.

Billy has not and would never be immune from criticism.

I was the first on this board to suggest he should be removed from penalty duty, and why this should be so.

All strikers go through barren spells. I don’t judge Clarke on goals alone. Nor Bill. Not anyone for that matter.

It’s an obvious means of comparing and contrasting but it’s not the be all.

Clarke and Sharp BOTH have good goal scoring records over their respective careers.

But, contrary to popular misconception, Sharp is, without a doubt, the more complete CF. And by some margin.

Clarke is better in the air. Judging by the volume of the crowd every time he wins one, I conclude that this counts for much in S2 !!!!

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

As I’ve said, we will at some point replace him but as long as he’s putting in a shift and contributing then he deserves better.
With regards my short memory I would say let’s compare Cheds last 12 months to Leon’s. You see my point?
As you say. All about opinions

Footprints in the sand old bean.

Let’s remember to bring this back up in January and May for further debate

UTB

 

[Lane Ender]

I'm not Clarkes biggest fan, but I thought he did ok today, What frustrates me though, is that he doesn't seem to break his neck to get on the end of crosses, won't gamble and go far post, when everyone else is going near? He's nearly always on the edge of the box, not sliding in agonisingly close to getting that vital touch to score the match winning goal.

It's his anticipation and positional sense that makes Sharp the better striker, in my opinion.

Sharp on the end of that one put straight at the keeper by Leon it’s in no doubt

 

[spongebobblade]

Footprints in the sand old bean.

Let’s remember to bring this back up in January and May for further debate

UTB

No footprints in the sand as you well know. Just plain old FACTS
..... and less of the old

 

[Houston_Blade]

Convenient spin on what was actually said.

I reminded a few Ched was still our player. That’s all.

Billy has not and would never be immune from criticism.

I was the first on this board to suggest he should be removed from penalty duty, and why this should be so.

All strikers go through barren spells. I don’t judge Clarke on goals alone. Nor Bill. Not anyone for that matter.

It’s an obvious means of comparing and contrasting but it’s not the be all.

Clarke and Sharp BOTH have good goal scoring records over their respective careers.

But, contrary to popular misconception, Sharp is, without a doubt, the more complete CF. And by some margin.

Clarke is better in the air. Judging by the volume of the crowd every time he wins one, I conclude that this counts for much in S2 !!!!

UTB

Any suggestions on an improvement to Leon Clarke who fits within budget and would allow Leon to move to the bench as you suggest?

Serious question.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Any suggestions on an improvement to Leon Clarke who fits within budget and would allow Leon to move to the bench as you suggest?

Serious question.

Perm any one from several dozen.

Depends on your particular poison. Or more succinctly, Wilders !

I like Hogan. Not cheap but would be a quality addition.

I am in a small minority that suggested a deal for Rhodes similar to that which Norwich have made wouldn’t be bad business. I think he could have a field day in our side BUT it’s clear he currently lacks confidence. I’d expect him to have a decent, if unspectacular season at Norwich. A run of games and goals could change this, although I suspect our style would suit him better. I think he would have converted more of the gilt edged chances both Sharp and Clarke missed last season.

No one is suggesting, given player inflation, that we can replace and improve on the cheap. Nor should we.

I have previously stated at £150k, Clarke owes the club and it’s supporters squat. A good buy at THAT price when we were, at the time, an unconvincing Div 3 club.

Times have moved on. Rapidly. We should be, and it would appear are, capable of attracting a better player, at considerable cost. £3m-£6m type range.

UTB