Clarke

[Pinchy]

Clarke will be far too good for most defences in this division (as he's proved in the past with other teams at this level). It was noticeable today that Clarke and Sharp both played up front, on the oppo centre halves shoulders (as opposed to Sharp being 10, 15, 20 yards deep as he was at the start of the season), and both were excellent.

We just need CW to realise that the defence should have O'Connell in as one of the 3 centre halves. If he'd started with JOC, EEL would have naturally picked up Ched Evans on our right side and wouldn't have been ragged like Basham was. Minor point only on an excellent day to be a Blade

Absolutely. Basham and Done were both poor in an otherwise excellent victory....

 

[PokerBlade]

Worth pointing out that we started the second half with Bash pushing up into the middle of the pitch and I thought it helped us a lot in taking control of the game after the restart. O'Connel is the better defender for me, but maybe Wilder likes the versatility given how frequently we switch formations.

Done needed to be on the score sheet today. Two great chances and at least one needs to be a goal. I'm a fan of his but based on today Clarke would start ahead of him depending on fitness.

 

[SwissBlade]

Clarke looked liked he'd shifted some timber as well, which will certainly help him in the way that Wilder plays, he needs to work hard up front and he put a shift in, thats for sure. Looked very confident on the ball and we definitely needed him today, it was his sort of game.

The attitude of players in this squad is top notch. Wilder has got every single player working their bollocks off and they are under no illusions of what Wilder expects. Clarke showed today that he has paid attention and grafted to get back and into Wilders plans!

Unforgivable for a player to be wearing a Blades shirt and gloves... unless his name is Ndlovu

 

[Balham]

On first viewing I thought the keeper had dropped a gonad for Clarke's goal. But the replay showed it was utterly brilliant from the big fella. Gorgeous goal.

The Chessie keeper had run out of gonads to drop by that point. However, completely agree that it was a brilliant finish...nonchalantly caressed into the bottom corner. He'll play a big part this season (Lavery won't...)

 

[SwissBlade]

The Chessie keeper had run out of gonads to drop by that point. However, completely agree that it was a brilliant finish...nonchalantly caressed into the bottom corner. He'll play a big part this season (Lavery won't...)

I think Lavery will start to come good after Christmas. We'll need him for the League and FA Cup double this year

 

[Stretch]

Clarke will be far too good for most defences in this division (as he's proved in the past with other teams at this level). It was noticeable today that Clarke and Sharp both played up front, on the oppo centre halves shoulders (as opposed to Sharp being 10, 15, 20 yards deep as he was at the start of the season), and both were excellent.

We just need CW to realise that the defence should have O'Connell in as one of the 3 centre halves. If he'd started with JOC, EEL would have naturally picked up Ched Evans on our right side and wouldn't have been ragged like Basham was. Minor point only on an excellent day to be a Blade

Think you are spot on there, as much as I like Bash he struggled badly in the first half hour today. O'Connel would have also been able to cope with Aryibi much better than Wright, who could have martialled the defence from the central CB position.

 

[Booker4]

Like others have said, Done is a valuable player but as a balance Sharp and Clarke should in theory be a decent partnership. Then fans were saying they couldn't play together; they didn't get on; Clarke is a waste of money etc. Leon Clarke has showed over the last 5 years or so that he scores goals at this level. Long gone are his overweight days where and inconsistent performances. He looked class today and his best attribute is his finishing, which I've thought for a while now is as good as anyone at this level. How many others would have been able to hit a first time shot with pace into the corner from outside he box like he did today. I would imagine Clarke will be starting within a week or two.

On a different note, we need to be patient with our other ex pig! Lavery has much to offer but right now he'll be limited to sub appearances. We've got some really good options now up front, which I don't see at our rivals who rely on one or two players to score the goals.

 

[YES Blade]

I'm one of those that doesn't think Sharp and Clarke can play together.

Based on today, absolutely they can, but it was 20 minutes against a very poor Chesterfield side. The early season matches, it was utter gash and one of the reasons we were so poor.

I really don't care who plays as long as we win and as ever if me being proven wrong means United are successful then great, but today hasn't changed anything for me yet.