Clarke and Sharp

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Billy was doing a lot of unseen work yesterday. ;)

But this is why it's so bloody frustrating supporting this team. Brooks works well with Clarke but is a flaming headless chicken when it comes to defending from the front AND in the last minute had Billy been in the same position as Brooks he would have leathered it in rather than agonising about walking the ball in.

Football eh!:rolleyes:
 



It's a tough one isn't it ?
Billy will come good again but for me he looks a bit leggy at the minute and u thought Birmingham inviting us inside was crying out for someone like Brooks to run at them and try and create space in Front of their 9 at the back counter attacking formation
Every team we play will set out this way so it is up to us to find a way round it

Billy a great option to have from the bench when defences are tired but it is probably a bit harsh to drop him .
Our team looks a bit lop sided with Coutts and an attacking right wing back missing from the side but maybe with Brooksy starting it gives teams something else to worry about
 
Even in the past two seasons, which both were highly successful from an individual point of view, Sharp went through lean spells where he played poorly and came in for criticism. He took that criticism on the chin, worked hard and got back to his best.

I think those who wants everybody to keep quiet on Sharp's poor performances underestimate the value of competition for places and being under pressure to perform, maybe especially for settled senior pros. It prevents lethargy. Since his return Sharp's had some outstanding spells, where he's looked like a man possessed, bossing defenders and really leading the team in general play, not just by scoring. That's not happening at the moment, and as we're lacking a couple of other players we're missing that side of his game even more.

I was slightly surprised he started yesterday, simply on the basis that he played the full game Tuesday – part of him being regularly subbed in my opinion is Wilder keeping him fresh enough to start the next game each time, and circumstances Tuesday meant that plan was abandoned. I can see the logic in starting Brooks in his place at Millwall, but it would be just like Sharp to head there and grab 2.
 
In the last week, Clarke and shape have a combined 8 goals between them. The partnership is the best in the championship comfortably.

There may be arguments for change in certain areas of the pitch, but up front is not one! All you need to do is watch Billy's immense assist from Tuesday night (the 4th goal) to show how well they work together. We don't win 2 games and the knives come out (granted, from a monitory) against the best area of our team!
 
No one's saying Billy is a bad player ,he's had a couple of bad games but then teams are fronting up with a game plan to stifle us
He has far exceeded my expectations of him this last two seasons and I think if he plays every game he will get twenty goals this season which is pretty good you g for a championship centre forward

I just feel that if teams set up the way they are the best way to counter that for us is to play Brooks just off Clarke to drag defenders out of position

Billy will still get game time as only an idiot would not play him at all and if he is refreshed and scoring goals he would get back in the side and we can mix things up a bit

As bad as he's been in the last couple of games he's still performed much better than Donaldson who was invisible I his last two starts and really disappointing after such a promising debut

All being equal if we get baldock back on the right and tighten up a bit at the back I'd have no problem with Sharp starting the next game but I definitely think Brooks needs a run I the side for his develop.ent and confidence

It's a real poseur
 
Just a friendly general reminder for the hard-of-thinking/those who are desperate to cart Billy off to the glue factory.

He scored 9 days ago, twice funnily enough. I was there, it was great.
 
Said this b4.

Sharp, and whatever he does, will never cut the mustard with some.

Reason ?

He’s not 6’2” and thus “fits” with the archetypal model of the perfect “Blades” striker.

It really is as simple as that I’m afraid.

UTB
 
The Clarke-Brooks partnership is more dynamic. I think we saw that when Brooksy came on tonight. Leon and Billy simply do not have the same chemistry. But Billy's scoring record speaks for itself, and he does so much work without the ball. Genuine leader.

It's a good problem to have and I'd like to see Brooks get more time on the pitch but for now I think Billy has to start.

I thought Brooks looked poor when he was playing alongside Clarke as a striker. Looked like someone desperately trying to fill a foreign role. Played in behind, he looks a lot better.
 
I think Sharp will look much better again when we've got either Baldock or Freeman back in the wing back role, we've had very little quality going forward from Basham when he's played there and without Coutts probing passes into that area also missing now, meaning no-ones been picking out Sharp's runs into the channel down that side like we were doing regularly before.
 
Said this b4.

Sharp, and whatever he does, will never cut the mustard with some.

Reason ?

He’s not 6’2” and thus “fits” with the archetypal model of the perfect “Blades” striker.

It really is as simple as that I’m afraid.

UTB

I thought the world of Billy Dearden, Keith Edwards and Pesch.
 
Said this b4.

Sharp, and whatever he does, will never cut the mustard with some.

Reason ?

He’s not 6’2” and thus “fits” with the archetypal model of the perfect “Blades” striker.

It really is as simple as that I’m afraid.

UTB

Whilst I agree entirely, I think it's more than that even.

What we have amongst this fanbase is in fact the polar opposite of "Bladeyness". It's internalised snobbery in fact.

His standing amongst the fans is actually lower on account of him being from this city. It's a peculiar trait that has some history.

Neil Warnock (despite my personal dislike of the man) was absolutely right when he said he would never be fully accepted here because he has from Sheffield. And he never really was. Up until 2005 I was defending him to the hilt against those slagging him off, and they would never be able to properly explain why they were doing so.

I can also suspect with some confidence that if a fan favourite like Paul Coutts had been from Arbourthorne instead of Aberdeen, the reception from the fans would be decidedly lukewarm, in spite of his abilities.

It leads me to draw two very unpalatable conclusions:

1) That the fact that Billy Sharp is more appreciated by Leeds fans for his 6 goals than by us for his 59 (in this spell alone) probably makes them better supporters than us in the true definition of the word.

2) That many people from my beloved hometown are bitter, jealous, petty and spiteful arseholes who abhor the sight of anyone local doing well. (For those who would cite Wilder as an exception, just watch how fast the daggers will come out during the bad times).
 
This is one of the strangest posts I've ever read on here. You make a very good point about Clarke and Brooks being a more dynamic partnership. You evidence that with the improvement in performance of the team when Brooks came on. Then you conclude - "Billy has to start". :tumbleweed:

I'd leave "chemistry", "history" and "work without the ball" off the table altogether when making decisions about players. I'd just pick the most effective starting 11 based on current form. Then you may reach a different conclusion.

I'll look forward to collecting my award for strangest post at the end of year do ;)

In all seriousness, chemistry, work without the ball, leadership, and goal scoring record (recent as well as historical) are all part of a player's form. I'm trying to point out that there's a dilemma when it comes to picking the best strike partnership, with arguments in favour of Clarke-Sharp or Clarke-Brooks. Billy never looked like scoring last night, but he brings others qualities to the table.
 



Whilst I agree entirely, I think it's more than that even.

What we have amongst this fanbase is in fact the polar opposite of "Bladeyness". It's internalised snobbery in fact.

His standing amongst the fans is actually lower on account of him being from this city. It's a peculiar trait that has some history.

Neil Warnock (despite my personal dislike of the man) was absolutely right when he said he would never be fully accepted here because he has from Sheffield. And he never really was. Up until 2005 I was defending him to the hilt against those slagging him off, and they would never be able to properly explain why they were doing so.

I can also suspect with some confidence that if a fan favourite like Paul Coutts had been from Arbourthorne instead of Aberdeen, the reception from the fans would be decidedly lukewarm, in spite of his abilities.

It leads me to draw two very unpalatable conclusions:

1) That the fact that Billy Sharp is more appreciated by Leeds fans for his 6 goals than by us for his 59 (in this spell alone) probably makes them better supporters than us in the true definition of the word.

2) That many people from my beloved hometown are bitter, jealous, petty and spiteful arseholes who abhor the sight of anyone local doing well. (For those who would cite Wilder as an exception, just watch how fast the daggers will come out during the bad times).

1) Utter bollocks.
2) You've just described yourself.
 
Just think if Donaldson hadn’t got injured at Sunderland, Clark could have been sat where he is. Talk about fate.
 
Whilst I agree entirely, I think it's more than that even.

What we have amongst this fanbase is in fact the polar opposite of "Bladeyness". It's internalised snobbery in fact.

His standing amongst the fans is actually lower on account of him being from this city. It's a peculiar trait that has some history.

Neil Warnock (despite my personal dislike of the man) was absolutely right when he said he would never be fully accepted here because he has from Sheffield. And he never really was. Up until 2005 I was defending him to the hilt against those slagging him off, and they would never be able to properly explain why they were doing so.

I can also suspect with some confidence that if a fan favourite like Paul Coutts had been from Arbourthorne instead of Aberdeen, the reception from the fans would be decidedly lukewarm, in spite of his abilities.

It leads me to draw two very unpalatable conclusions:

1) That the fact that Billy Sharp is more appreciated by Leeds fans for his 6 goals than by us for his 59 (in this spell alone) probably makes them better supporters than us in the true definition of the word.

2) That many people from my beloved hometown are bitter, jealous, petty and spiteful arseholes who abhor the sight of anyone local doing well. (For those who would cite Wilder as an exception, just watch how fast the daggers will come out during the bad times).

To start I am pro- Billy Sharp. However I respect every supporter has the right to criticise / praise whoever they wish. There are no untouchables.

Your last line regarding Wilder will soon have daggers pointed in his direction during the bad times sounds as though you believe Billy is currently experiencing bad times.

If so then it puts a serious crack in your argument that he is presently playing well enough not to receive criticism.
 
Billy brought nothing to the table last night. That doesn't mean he isn't a great goalscorer and an important member of the squad, but he's not immune to criticism, nor should he be. Neither is Wilder. Just because they're Blades doesn't make them untouchable and anyone who dares to criticise them occasionally isn't an anti-Bladey snob. Warnock brought most of he abuse he ever got on himself because he was a bit of a twat, not because he was from Sheffield.

If Clarke wasn't outscoring him, nobody would be suggesting dropping Sharp, but with Clarke the clear number 1 striker at present in both performance and goals, if any changes happen up front, it has to be Billy that would miss out.
 
Let's ask it again then seeing as you are dodging the question. Where does Dane Whitehouse fit into your wonderful theory?

That's better. Now your question can be answered.

Had his career cut tragically short, received cult status as a result. Helped along by notable performances against the Pigs.
 
That's better. Now your question can be answered.

Had his career cut tragically short, received cult status as a result. Helped along by notable performances against the Pigs.

Where was he from?
 
Where was he from?

Sheffield.

And still not held in as much esteem as Michael Brown or Paul Coutts.

It took a short career, being a one-club man and his exploits against Wednesday to become noticed, and much of that was in hindsight.

In 5 years, maybe Billy will be remembered in similar reverence, but then I'll be there to remind them of what they said at the time.
 
Billy needs a rest imo.

Brooks needs to go looking for the ball more because he’s becoming isolated.

Clarke needs to stop proving me wrong, the twat. :)

I’m finding it pretty strange that Donaldson can’t get a game after his unplayable performance against Sunderland.

Hanson! :)
 
Players from Sheffield I can think of

Dane Whitehouse
Mitch Ward
Jamie Hoyland
Ben Doane
Steve Thompson
Chris Wilder
Billy Sharp
 



All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom