Leon Clarke... unsubbable?

[@samjohnson77]

This is becoming increasingly interesting as the season goes on... Seriously cannot remember the last time he was brought off? (Think it was when he scored 4 against Hull and that was done with about 3 seconds left on the clock).

I get it, he works hard and is a focal point for our forward line - but I seriously think if he's not having the best game, or isn't finding the net as much (which he isn't) a spell on the side would do him good, clearly as it's done with Billy.

Our forward line shouldn't be Leon and whoever else is playing well - both spots should be up for grabs.

 

[SwissBlade]

This is becoming increasingly interesting as the season goes on... Seriously cannot remember the last time he was brought off? (Think it was when he scored 4 against Hull and that was done with about 3 seconds left on the clock).

I get it, he works hard and is a focal point for our forward line - but I seriously think if he's not having the best game, or isn't finding the net as much (which he isn't) a spell on the side would do him good, clearly as it's done with Billy.

Our forward line shouldn't be Leon and whoever else is playing well - both spots should be up for grabs.

Agreed, I thought on sat Leon should’ve come off for Clayton at the end instead of Billy coming off

 

[FTPE]

A goal would have boasted his confidence last week.
Clarke won a penalty late on that wasn't given. If it was, maybe he would have taken it and before we know it he's on fire again.
It was a gamble that should have paid off.
Personally I wanted Donaldson on towards the end... but what have I told you all about questioning the messiah!?

 

[Large Mendonca]

A goal would have boasted his confidence last week.
Clarke won a penalty late on that wasn't given. If it was, maybe he would have taken it and before we know it he's on fire again.
It was a gamble that should have paid off.
Personally I wanted Donaldson on towards the end... but what have I told you all about questioning the messiah!?

On Saturday I thought he was a very naughty boy

 

[GrayBlade]

He's not been right for a while and should have been subbed in some games. The strength that he showed against Hull in particular seems to have left him for now so I'd personally rest him the next two games and then recall him for Hull. If ever he's going to rediscover his mojo, it'll be against that shower.

 

[madeinsheffield]

I think it would give him the kick up the arse he needs, keep him on his toes

 

[UlrikaJonssonPaintTrophy]

This is becoming increasingly interesting as the season goes on... Seriously cannot remember the last time he was brought off? (Think it was when he scored 4 against Hull and that was done with about 3 seconds left on the clock).

I get it, he works hard and is a focal point for our forward line - but I seriously think if he's not having the best game, or isn't finding the net as much (which he isn't) a spell on the side would do him good, clearly as it's done with Billy.

Our forward line shouldn't be Leon and whoever else is playing well - both spots should be up for grabs.

I think it’s a question of character or personality, you sub a player like Sharp off when he’s in bad form and it fires him up to improve, the next time you start he has a blinder (like Saturday). I think bringing Clarke off or dropping him would knock his confidence. However I do believe it’s time to give someone else a shot as Clarke is clearly out of form

 

[sheffielder]

I think if Billy had been subbed on 70 mins as he normally does with Clarke still on, there might have been a different reaction on Saturday.

Personally from about 80 mins we were saying that Clarke and sharp should have been replaced by Donaldson and Wilson to give it some fresh legs up top.

 

[Bladezz]

I’m shocked if people cannot work out the reason why he’s not subbed off.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

How about...

''undroppable'' ...

Remember those days when the England team consisted of players who'd become 'household furniture' whilst
those players in-form were left in the shop window...

 

[sheffielder]

I’m shocked if people cannot work out the reason why he’s not subbed off.

Do go on..

 

[Blade for Sale]

Do go on..

There are 7 reasons......number 5 will shock you. Click to find out more.

 

[Smirth]

Work rate, physical presence, to assist in defending set pieces.

There are 3 reasons why Wilder keeps him on.

He is off form, and no one can complain if he is rested for a couple of games now, but the work rate is still very much there and he is trying.

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Think he was left on until the end to combat Leeds aerial threat at corners and set pieces when they pushed their big centre half up for the last 10 mins. Leon is like Hanson and not appreciated for his defensive work.

 

[sheffielder]

But Donaldson can do the same and it provides fresh legs, and his work rate hold up play as dipped and it’s only natural it will do. Luckily I don’t think he will play Friday and will be fresh for Tuesday.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Is Leon's unseen work better than Dean Hammond's unseen work?

Has anyone ever seen this unseen work?

 

[SteveBlade]

Leon is like Hanson.

 

[Esablade]

How about 'unloveable'?

 

[Smirth]

But Donaldson can do the same and it provides fresh legs, and his work rate hold up play as dipped and it’s only natural it will do. Luckily I don’t think he will play Friday and will be fresh for Tuesday.

Despite being tall, I’m not convinced that Donaldson is as good in the air as Clarke, nor as effective at defending set pieces.

 

[Jonboy60]

He’ll be fine, as soon as Brooks gets back.

 

[I should coco]

Is Leon's unseen work better than Dean Hammond's unseen work?

Yes, as it involves movement.

Has anyone ever seen this unseen work?

Yes, as I try not to play with my dick all through the game.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Yes, as it involves movement.



Yes, as I try not to play with my dick all through the game.

There are rules in the Directors Box Si.

 

[sheffielder]

Despite being tall, I’m not convinced that Donaldson is as good in the air as Clarke, nor as effective at defending set pieces.

So you’re saying that Clarke is the only striker out of 6 that can do this for us? Poor from wilder then don’t you think?

Evans and Lunstram are both big guys in midfield and Leonard is no mug. We brought Leonard on for Duffy so you could still take Clarke off then.

Sorry just because he’s tall and ok in the air doesn’t mean we don’t have options so he can be taken off.

 

[Smirth]

So you’re saying that Clarke is the only striker out of 6 that can do this for us? Poor from wilder then don’t you think?

Evans and Lunstram are both big guys in midfield and Leonard is no mug. We brought Leonard on for Duffy so you could still take Clarke off then.

Sorry just because he’s tall and ok in the air doesn’t mean we don’t have options so he can be taken off.

No, Hanson could do it and Donaldson can too. But or the 3 of them Clarke offers the most.

I think against Wolves we could have taken him off but the game was already lost so really didn’t matter. Also our hand was forced with Moore being sent off.

Against Leeds it made perfect sense to me to keep him on. He was pressing well and once they sent Jansson upfront we needed Clarke to help out from set pieces. He’s our best striker at defending them so why take him off in such a tight game?

 

[sheffielder]

No, Hanson could do it and Donaldson can too. But or the 3 of them Clarke offers the most.

I think against Wolves we could have taken him off but the game was already lost so really didn’t matter. Also our hand was forced with Moore being sent off.

Against Leeds it made perfect sense to me to keep him on. He was pressing well and once they sent Jansson upfront we needed Clarke to help out from set pieces. He’s our best striker at defending them so why take him off in such a tight game?

Personally I think we could have defended them better by turning them round. Last 15 when teams push up they are close to the half way line. Donaldson would have been more of a handful with 10 mins to go because he would have been fresh. I like Clarke so there is no agenda, however I do find it strange he plays a full 90 mind a game at 32 years old.

Strange is probably the wrong word, I think the remarkable fitness but he’s had injuries before so there are times he could have been taken off to keep him fresh. I am not just taking about the Leeds game.

Also to finish I can’t think of him coming back for the last minute punt by the opposition into our box and can’t picture him alongside the cb. I do know he defends the front post at corners but you I don’t see why Donaldson can’t do that.

Anyway to stop rambling, I would rather he was protected because there are lots of games to play and we need him at his best.

 

[BushBlade]

I was in the 'sub him for Donaldson' camp as I thought he'd stretch them more and be better on the counter as they pushed to get an equaliser but Clarke should have had a penalty late on so that probably justifies keeping him on. If the pen had been awarded I'm not sure we'd be having this discussion. I'm torn between thinking maybe he needs a rest and maybe he needs a goal to boost his confidence.

 

[sheffielder]

I was in the 'sub him for Donaldson' camp as I thought he'd stretch them more and be better on the counter as they pushed to get an equaliser but Clarke should have had a penalty late on so that probably justifies keeping him on. If the pen had been awarded I'm not sure we'd be having this discussion. I'm torn between thinking maybe he needs a rest and maybe he needs a goal to boost his confidence.

I think that’s where wilder is now in regards to keeping him going to get the goal.

 

[BushBlade]

I think that’s where wilder is now in regards to keeping him going to get the goal.

And he's a far better man manager than I'll ever be.

 

[sheffielder]

And he's a far better man manager than I'll ever be.

And just when you start to think about second guessing him, he gets it right!

 

[Iceybabey]

Think Wilder likes to keep him on the pitch as he occupies a number of opposing defenders. He does a lot of donkey work that may or may not go unnoticed as well.