CONFIRMED Clarke Official

[DronnieBlade]

Sharp looks sluggish compared to Clarke. Wonder if Wikders comments about individuality rather than team play applied to Billy last night?

Clarke was definitely more centric to the game than Sharp last night. Was involved much much more. Perhaps that's more a positive than a negative, and he took his goal well, holding off the defender expertly.

The trouble I am having is that given this focal / centric role than Wilder sees for Clarke, if I am being honest, I doubt he is up to it.

Of all the involvements / inputs in the game that Clarke had, how many could you honestly say were good, as opposed to not good or indifferent ?

His flicked headers rarely found a target.

His first touch when played to feet was poor.

He missed a boatload of half chances.

Yeah he puts himself about and occupies CBs. I see that. What I don't see is any sort of cohesion with Sharp and that's a worry.

Maybe they will get there. Time will tell but I want to see some improvements in the next few games in this regard as one goal in 2 and a half games (including ET) is not the stuff of promotion contenders.


UTB

 

[Sean Thornton]

Clarke was definitely more centric to the game than Sharp last night. Was involved much much more. Perhaps that's more a positive than a negative, and he took his goal well, holding off the defender expertly.

The trouble I am having is that given this focal / centric role than Wilder sees for Clarke, if I am being honest, I doubt he is up to it.

Of all the involvements / inputs in the game that Clarke had, how many could you honestly say were good, as opposed to not good or indifferent ?

His flicked headers rarely found a target.

His first touch when played to feet was poor.

He missed a boatload of half chances.

Yeah he puts himself about and occupies CBs. I see that. What I don't see is any sort of cohesion with Sharp and that's a worry.

Maybe they will get there. Time will tell but I want to see some improvements in the next few games in this regard as one goal in 2 and a half games (including ET) is not the stuff of promotion contenders.


UTB

Some fair comment but he's much more involved than Sharp over the last two games and he's around the chances. If you were going to give McNulty a start on Saturday, based on those two games it'd be Sharp you'd leave out surely, who by his own standards has been poor. I certainly would.

 

[Esablade]

Some fair comment but he's much more involved than Sharp over the last two games and he's around the chances. If you were going to give McNulty a start on Saturday, based on those two games it'd be Sharp you'd leave out surely, who by his own standards has been poor. I certainly would.

I'm a big fan of Sharp, but you can only go on current form...I think he'll keep starting with Billy for the next few games and see if he kicks into gear...but a few more performances like the last two and I'd get McNuts on earlier, or stick Done up top with Clarke...he might get onto some of the flick's on's and touches buzzing round him...

 

[Grappler]

Clarke was definitely more centric to the game than Sharp last night. Was involved much much more. Perhaps that's more a positive than a negative, and he took his goal well, holding off the defender expertly.

The trouble I am having is that given this focal / centric role than Wilder sees for Clarke, if I am being honest, I doubt he is up to it.

Of all the involvements / inputs in the game that Clarke had, how many could you honestly say were good, as opposed to not good or indifferent ?

His flicked headers rarely found a target.

His first touch when played to feet was poor.

He missed a boatload of half chances.

Yeah he puts himself about and occupies CBs. I see that. What I don't see is any sort of cohesion with Sharp and that's a worry.

Maybe they will get there. Time will tell but I want to see some improvements in the next few games in this regard as one goal in 2 and a half games (including ET) is not the stuff of promotion contenders.


UTB

Clarke was more of a handful than any other player on the field last night. Scored a goal and came close again. He won most things in the air and flicked on, but that only works when your strike partner is close to you, to latch on to the opportunity. If Billy is 20 yards away it is never going to work.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Billy & Leon will soon get fucked off.
Then it'll have actually dawned on Wilder that we need to score two goals a match to be in with a shout of a win.

Saturday won't be a "given" considering Rochdale have already scored five this season.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Wilder would put himself in a difficult position if he "rested" his new captain after 2 games.

 

[Billyblade]

Wilder would put himself in a difficult position if he "rested" his new captain after 2 games.

Something Adkins should have done last season

 

[BushBlade]

Wilder would put himself in a difficult position if he "rested" his new captain after 2 games.

Which is why it was a little rash to make him captain as soon as CW came in.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I'm a big fan of Sharp, but you can only go on current form...I think he'll keep starting with Billy for the next few games and see if he kicks into gear...but a few more performances like the last two and I'd get McNuts on earlier, or stick Done up top with Clarke...he might get onto some of the flick's on's and touches buzzing round him...

The point was who would Dronnie drop if he was thinking of playing McNulty rather than suggesting Wilder make the change. Plus it was a comparison of the games the two players have had after the criticism of Clarke above.

I'd still start with Sharp and expect them to be nearer each other in play than they have been. Taking Billy off last night was the right move IMO.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Which is why it was a little rash to make him captain as soon as CW came in.

Wilders rush to get onside with the kop from day 1 could bite him in the bum.

 

[Ricky]

Sharp and Clarke could work better together given time to build an understanding and a decent left winger in the team to stretch the play.

I don't think it's the ideal partnership, but Sharp and Adams wasn't last season either, it didn't stop Sharp scoring regularly. The concern is that even if Clarke's a better centre forward than Adams (he is), he'll take up similar positions and negate him to an extent.

Good, varied service from wide areas is key to them both having good seasons.

 

[The_Green_Man]

Sharp and Clarke could work better together given time to build an understanding and a decent left winger in the team to stretch the play.

I don't think it's the ideal partnership, but Sharp and Adams wasn't last season either, it didn't stop Sharp scoring regularly. The concern is that even if Clarke's a better centre forward than Adams (he is), he'll take up similar positions and negate him to an extent.

Good, varied service from wide areas is key to them both having good seasons.

Look at Ricky trying to move this one on a bit, quietly lurking for that 1000th post

I agree with the bold mate. Both are capable of banging a few away if the service is right therefore need that wide man!

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Clarke was more of a handful than any other player on the field last night. Scored a goal and came close again. He won most things in the air and flicked on, but that only works when your strike partner is close to you, to latch on to the opportunity. If Billy is 20 yards away it is never going to work.

Was really impressed with him, all aspects of his game (even though, like just about everyone else, he faded). Can't even criticise him for missing chances - (i) he constantly got in the right positions & (ii) none of his chances were entirely clear-cut.

Agree with your point about the flick-ons - they were just getting wasted, through no fault of his own.

 

[Grappler]

Was really impressed with him, all aspects of his game (even though, like just about everyone else, he faded). Can't even criticise him for missing chances - (i) he constantly got in the right positions & (ii) none of his chances were entirely clear-cut.

Agree with your point about the flick-ons - they were just getting wasted, through no fault of his own.

He was the only one who charged at the keeper when the ball was 50/50 and had a chance to score

 

[Reynoldo]

He's not quick but takes up really good positions - need the likes of Fleck to pick him out - don't think it suits Sharpe though to be honest!

 

[Grappler]

He's not quick but takes up really good positions - need the likes of Fleck to pick him out - don't think it suits Sharpe though to be honest!

I actually think he is quite quick for a big bloke, and by big I mean stocky, when he came off for DCL and they shook hands it was very apparent how lightweight DCL is.