David Brooks

[nowtfancy]

I think it was just outside the box?

Correct. He swung at it like I swing at a golf ball when I'm at maximum hangover status tho.

 

[Sheffsteel]

It wasn't that close-range was it? From memory

Not 100% sure but I thought it Was around the penalty spot area, so not that close but it fell nicely on the volley. He had defenders closing in so he was under pressure but he mis timed his shot and failed to connect.
For a top player it was a decent chance.

 

[dc_blade]

Everything considered, which has to include match sharpness due to the type of illness he has had, I just don’t see him as a regular starter.

Impact sub, absolutely. Not a bad one I would imagine.

Conundrum could be that given Leon is the main man and mainstay of Wilders offensive strategy, who is his best foil ?

I would have to say it’s Brookes.

One thing does emerge clearly from last night.

Wilson will go back to ManUre.
Sharp and Donaldson will leave.
Hanson and Lavery won’t be coming back.

Wilder will have to pull at least a couple of rabbits out of the hat with the transfer budget available to replace these players.

UTB

If Leon plays like he did last night he's got at least another year left in him at this level. I'd been getting frustrated with his recent contributions but against Cardiff he was almost unplayable. He's so good when he comes deep and gets the ball, links up attacks, and plays the ball on the ground. He's totally wasted running the channels and especially as a target man--he's just not that strong or good in the air, compared to a Mitrovic or Madine.

Maybe when Brooks plays we're forced to keep the ball on the floor, and that benefits Leon too? Maybe they just have good chemistry on the pitch. Whatever it is, we've seen it a few times this season.

I think Billy still has another good season with us, but agree that Donaldson should be on his way. He leaves with his head held high, having made a really solid contribution for us.

 

[DronnieBlade]

There are maybe a dozen players in the world that could be described as almost unplayable. They all earn 8 figure annual salaries.

Leon Clarke is not one of them

UTB

 

[wizadry]

There are maybe a dozen players in the world that could be described as almost unplayable. They all earn 8 figure annual salaries.

Leon Clarke is not one of them

UTB

In the respective leagues, Leon when he’s on his game is unplayable, he has been that a few times this season scoring 4 goals in some games and he bullied the Cardiff defence last night. They simply couldn’t handle him, he was back to the Leon we knew in the first half of the season.

Long may it continue.

 

[DronnieBlade]

In the respective leagues, Leon when he’s on his game is unplayable, he has been that a few times this season scoring 4 goals in some games and he bullied the Cardiff defence last night. They simply couldn’t handle him, he was back to the Leon we knew in the first half of the season.

Long may it continue.

Don’t kid yoursen.

For 28 minutes, the Leon we saw last night was the Leon that we have had served up for the last 3 months. Bang average (at the very best).

The transformation in his performance AFTER he scored was as sensational as it was frustrating. The kid is either a good footballer or a fruit loop that is mentally and emotionally unstable, unable to deal with the pressures of being a modern footballer. Real Jeckyl and Hyde stuff.

But the bottom line is I agree. Long live good Leon and let’s not go back to bad Leon anytime soon !

UTB

 

[wizadry]

Don’t kid yoursen.

For 28 minutes, the Leon we saw last night was the Leon that we have had served up for the last 3 months. Bang average (at the very best).

The transformation in his performance AFTER he scored was as sensational as it was frustrating. The kid is either a good footballer or a fruit loop that is mentally and emotionally unstable, unable to deal with the pressures of being a modern footballer. Real Jeckyl and Hyde stuff.

But the bottom line is I agree. Long live good Leon and let’s not go back to bad Leon anytime soon !

UTB

You’re giving Leon a disservice there in your first paragraph, he was good all night, I don’t know how you can say he wasn’t, he tore them a new arsehole.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

Which gilt edged chance? The one the commentators confused Evans with him? The one on one was Evans.....

The one in the box when he took a touch too much and the goalkeeper got to it and took Brooks out at the same time.

 

[CornwallBlade]

As others have suggested, what Brooks does without the ball shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s no coincidence that Leon had his best game for ages last night - Brooks made space for him and caused the defence to wobble as he poses such a threat. He can’t be match fit yet so highly encouraging, I think we need the third element now, someone to feed off the balls that Leon wins and the runs that Brooks makes-oh that would be Coutts then

 

[nowtfancy]

Don’t kid yoursen.

For 28 minutes, the Leon we saw last night was the Leon that we have had served up for the last 3 months. Bang average (at the very best).

The transformation in his performance AFTER he scored was as sensational as it was frustrating. The kid is either a good footballer or a fruit loop that is mentally and emotionally unstable, unable to deal with the pressures of being a modern footballer. Real Jeckyl and Hyde stuff.

But the bottom line is I agree. Long live good Leon and let’s not go back to bad Leon anytime soon !

UTB

Couldn't disagree more. (And at risk of sounding like Madkins here!) I have watched several warm ups this season, (was a bit of a culture shock at first after beingbbrought up as 10 to 3 means tine for one more quick pint, but the young un likes it!) And last night Leon was clearly up for it, more than I have seen in any game this season. In the 4 v 4 possession games he was on the ball all the time. So impressed was I that I had my first "first goalscorer" bet of the season.
Cheers Leon!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

The pitch wasn't easy for a player like Brooks last night.
Turning players inside out in a bath of mud is very difficult.
If he's a starter every game till the end of the season is upto the gaffer.

Oh give over about the pitch FFS! What a stupid excuse - and not just you but others are coming out with it as well. He’s a footballer not a racehorse. We don’t take the form book out and place bets depending on whether it’s “good to firm” or otherwise.

How can the lightest, fastest, most youthful player at the club have a problem when it’s a bit soggy, and others almost twice his weight and age don’t? Talk sense man. He’s not quite back to his best. He’s been badly, that’s all. Nowt to do wi t’ bloody pitch!

 

[stringer]

The one in the box when he took a touch too much and the goalkeeper got to it and took Brooks out at the same time.

The Lee Evans one then?

 

[Ricky]

I really fancy Brooks to tear Barnsley apart.

But I'd fancy Sharp and Clarke to score too.

I'd like to see us go with Brooks behind both of them, in Duffy's absence.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

There was a good chance for Brooks on the edge of the box second half. I wouldn’t say it was a sitter though. But he had the ball at his feet, he shimmied one way, it opened up, but he didn’t shoot and instead shimmied the other way, it closed down, then he shimmied back the first way, it closed down again. My wife said to me, “Why didn’t he just shoot first time?” It’s a fair question actually that could be asked of most players in that team on occasions.

But we can’t complain at what we saw last night. I thought the lads were magnificent to a man and we showed the whole nation why we are still in with a good chance of promotion.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

The Lee Evans one then?

Just looked at it again, it was Evans.

 

[DronnieBlade]

You’re giving Leon a disservice there in your first paragraph, he was good all night, I don’t know how you can say he wasn’t, he tore them a new arsehole.

Watch the first 28 mins back.

Pay particular attention to possession turnover when directly involved.

Tell me I was wrong

If you can’t be arsed I’ll save you the bother. I’m not

UTB

 

[William Large]

If he's a starter every game till the end of the season is upto the gaffer.[/QUOTE]

No shit?

 

[William Large]

Don’t kid yoursen.

For 28 minutes, the Leon we saw last night was the Leon that we have had served up for the last 3 months. Bang average (at the very best).

The transformation in his performance AFTER he scored was as sensational as it was frustrating. The kid is either a good footballer or a fruit loop that is mentally and emotionally unstable, unable to deal with the pressures of being a modern footballer. Real Jeckyl and Hyde stuff.

But the bottom line is I agree. Long live good Leon and let’s not go back to bad Leon anytime soon !

UTB

I think he's a combination of both. At times he looks so bereft of confidence, touch, interest, and about as sharp as a marble, but when he's on it there aren't many better in this division at what he does. Brooks definitely brings out the best of him.

 

[Fanny magnet]

The one in the box when he took a touch too much and the goalkeeper got to it and took Brooks out at the same time.

Yeah that was Evans

 

[gavtheblade]

Oh give over about the pitch FFS! What a stupid excuse - and not just you but others are coming out with it as well. He’s a footballer not a racehorse. We don’t take the form book out and place bets depending on whether it’s “good to firm” or otherwise.

How can the lightest, fastest, most youthful player at the club have a problem when it’s a bit soggy, and others almost twice his weight and age don’t? Talk sense man. He’s not quite back to his best. He’s been badly, that’s all. Nowt to do wi t’ bloody pitch!

Calm down dear!!!

 

[cahill]

I think Sharp will still be here one more season but doubt he will be a regular. We need 2 new strikers in the summer at least.

Is Ched totally out of the reckoning ?

 

[Pinchy]

He lacked a bit of his usual finesse but he wasn’t poor by any means.

He was. Sorry to depart from the party line.

 

[broomhillblade]

Have we seen the best of David Brooks?
Will he go on to be a world-class player - or will he join the ranks of those who looked brilliant as youngsters but never managed to fulfil their potential?

He looked distinctly average today.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Yes.

Der Wunderkinda is looking anything but !

UTB

 

[DaleHillBlade]

Have we seen the best of David Brooks?
Will he go on to be a world-class player - or will he join the ranks of those who looked brilliant as youngsters but never managed to fulfil their potential?

He looked distinctly average today.

I wouldn't judge him on one game game, would you?

 

[DronnieBlade]

I wouldn't judge him on one game game, would you?

Not one game though, is it ?

I don’t want to shoot the kid down. He is a talent. He is still recovering from a dibilitating illness, and he is a terrific prospect. BUT, on the evidence in front of us, he could do with a stint back on the bench, from where I expect him to be able to maximise his impact and effectiveness.

Either go with Sharp and Clarke, bring Ched or Wilson back in to the mix. Or try Duffy and Holmes behind Leon.

UTB

 

[mattbianco1]

I think tonight we got a glimpse of what we've missed while he's been gone

I think today we saw the reason he doesn't start many games

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Play Duffy/Brooks/Holmes behind Clarke, fuck it what is there to lose now?

 

[Canterbury Blade]

We played him wrong today. At first he and Leon didn’t know who was doing what, then we’d brought Sharp on and Brooksy went further back and was ragged rotten in central midfield.

Ironically, once Duffy cam won the game stretched to suit Brooks but he was having a showe by then.

Duffy and Brooks as a fuck it deal would be good to watch and we have nowt else now so give em a run!

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

He didn't make one genuine challenge to win a header or a tackle.
Looked like he didn't give a fuck to me.




Yes, I know he's had a fever.