Leon Clarke

[McGrath]

Can someone tell me what the chuffing hell he's been doing his whole career?

He's big, strong, mobile... wins headers, can pass , got great technique, drops deep and can run in behind the defence. He's got a great shot and can finish really well. Almost the complete striker when you think about it.

He took us to the next level, when he finally got fit last season and on Sunday was the best striker on the pitch. He's probably on a tenth of that lump Fletchers wages, but Clarke was the one giving the centre forwards master class.

So what's he been doing plumbing the depths in the lower leagues

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Waiting for wilder to find him..

 

[Wards]

Took him years to finally realise he needs to apply himself. Has all the ability.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Took him years to finally realise he needs to apply himself. Has all the ability.

We're his 9th club and he's had 11 loan spells which suggests something of an attitude problem somewhere along the way. Wilder's the kind of manager to bring the best out of him.

 

[Grizzly blade]

I can only assume attitude....probably born out of his rather quiet, seemingly arrogant demeanour. Never met him, but someone who is a little different can also struggle to fit in. Perhaps he just needs a manager to persevere with him and get the best from him.

 

[Sheff de party]

Not sure mobile is a word I'd use, but he's an excellent finisher. I was a bit surprised when we signed him but he's fully vindicated the decision.

Delighted for him.

 

[nopigfansintown]

He talked about a sea change in mentality when a family member died.That he wanted to achieve something in the game. I think this was under Flitcroft at Bury.I was very surprised how fit he looked when he first joined United, although he soon had to have a small op and was playing within himself until his comeback. He's always had the footballing tools.

 

[CarlingBlade]

He was always dangerous whenever he played against us.

Clarke has a journeyman tag, he's been around the lower leagues and done well (v.well) sporadically with the likes of Southend, Scunny, Chezzy, Coventry and Bury, having been loaned out 11 times he's appeared to not have the opportunity to settle at any one club.

He's only made x35 appearances for 4 clubs, moved on, then gets shipped out on loan, maybe its his sullen demeanor that gives managers / clubs the wrong impression but Wilder has said on a number of occasions he's a lovely lad and not to be fooled, he's definitely one of the lads.

Also like someone mentioned, he's been at some lowly clubs in his career, maybe now he's playing (and scoring) in the Championship, at a club like the Blades, he feels welcome and he has the opportunity to play infront of 25k plus every week the penny has dropped and he's making the most of what could be his last big chance.

I think SUFC, Wilder and Clarke have all been lucky to find each other.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Are people still worried about his gait, posture, and effects on his spine? Not sure twisting his right arm like this is good for his joints.

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Likely down to attitude, I recall watching a video about Di canio as Swindon manager, Clarke was their main striker and they were falling out.

 

[Stretch]

As said above, always had the talent but questions about attitude and application. All my grunter mates say that they saw glimpses of a superb player when he was with them but it never lasted.

Add to that he hasn't had easiest time in his personal life. His family (by all accounts) has a bit of a reputation and recently he had the trauma of losing his Dad in horrendous circumstances.

However he has now settled down, started a family, quit drinking and got his head down. He clearly loves it here and in Wilder he has a manager who understands him and knows how to get the best from him. The way he celebrated his goals yesterday told us everything we needed to know. Yes it's a huge derby but they are still a former club. The smile on his face after his second was magic, as he soaked up the Blade's adulation.

 

[McGrath]

Likely down to attitude, I recall watching a video about Di canio as Swindon manager, Clarke was their main striker and they were falling out.

Who doesn't fall out with Di Canio. If Di Canio was in a room by himself, he'd probably have a blazing row with himself and twat himself in the face

 

[Jon Bon II]

Are people still worried about his gait, posture, and effects on his spine? Not sure twisting his right arm like this is good for his joints.

Ah but in his hand, there is a Post-It note that simply reads 'Eat my dust you piggy twats!'

 

[Liaminho9]

Likely down to attitude, I recall watching a video about Di canio as Swindon manager, Clarke was their main striker and they were falling out.

Something like this?

 

[boo radley]

Are people still worried about his gait, posture, and effects on his spine? Not sure twisting his right arm like this is good for his joints.

The quality of finish at Port Vale was good but for sitting a pig on his arse this was fantastic. (don't pigs sit down funny!).

 

[McGrath]

I can only assume attitude....probably born out of his rather quiet, seemingly arrogant demeanour. Never met him, but someone who is a little different can also struggle to fit in. Perhaps he just needs a manager to persevere with him and get the best from him.

When he scored and ran to the bench to celebrate, I thought that was awesome. You could see what his attitude is there and then

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Something like this?

Yeah that's the video

 

[McGrath]

Something like this?

Sunderland did their homework well when appointing him as manager shortly after that

 

[Trigger Blade]

Are people still worried about his gait, posture, and effects on his spine? Not sure twisting his right arm like this is good for his joints.

I'd never noticed before, but he runs with his hands fully extended, which is unusual. In fact, when he ran through for his first goal, I thought he'd controlled it with the flat of his hand, when it was nowhere near the ball.

 

[Foody]

He has a lot more pace than people give him credit for. It's a strange one in that on paper both he and Sharp are now past their best. But given Leon's new found application and passion, and Billy's maturity and attitude, I think they could both be at a new found high. Just shows what a fantastic coaching and leadership team we have.

 

[elgoog44]

I think it shows when you have the right team behind you and you are willing to put in the work the rewards are there for the taking, that's what Leon is doing now, I can see him getting a fair few this year as other teams will underestimate both him and our beloved Club, wonder if the Italian wonder kid will ever realise he needs more than just raw talent to do anything in the game?

Glad Leon has come good and even better showed the grunters just what he could do with the right management team behind him.

 

[Gimli]

I've said it before on other threads about Clarke but I'll happily say it again, his performance on Sunday was absolutely outstanding. Their expensively assembled defence didn't have a clue how to deal with him, even when they resorted to shirt pulling they couldn't get the better of him. They could write a textbook on how to be a striker based on that performance. It should go down in Blades folklore as one of the greatest performances by a blade against the pigs of all time. Leon the lion, what an absolute hero he was.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

It was interesting that after the first goal, yes he did run to the bench, but he was looking for a particular individual to share the celebration, Ched Evans.

 

[Yewsman]

I've said it before on other threads about Clarke but I'll happily say it again, his performance on Sunday was absolutely outstanding. Their expensively assembled defence didn't have a clue how to deal with him, even when they resorted to shirt pulling they couldn't get the better of him. They could write a textbook on how to be a striker based on that performance. It should go down in Blades folklore as one of the greatest performances by a blade against the pigs of all time. Leon the lion, what an absolute hero he was.

Yes and I know we had a team of fantastic heroes and Brooks was certainly outstanding but for me Leon should have got the MOM award. 2 gaols and an all round superb performance. As Gimli says a "textbook" performance. Let's hope he can stay fit and keep up this level. If he reserves his best for ex-employers then we should be OK tomorrow night against Wolves!
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[Pierre's PC]

Yes and I know we had a team of fantastic heroes and Brooks was certainly outstanding but for me Leon should have got the MOM award. 2 gaols and an all round superb performance. As Gimli says a "textbook" performance. Let's hope he can stay fit and keep up this level. If he reserves his best for ex-employers then we should be OK tomorrow night against Wolves!
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Period?

 

[I should coco]

I have to say that I was one of the many last season who didn't really understand the signing and thought we were just bringing another body in to fill the bench. The ongoing back problems made many Blades think we'd signed a crock. When he did come back fit in the Spring he looked a different player and some of his finishing was sublime. On that basis I had no doubts he could cope in the Championship, provided he stayed fully fit.

Well any doubters must surely now understand what we have and maybe it's time to drop the stupid 'he can't play with Billy' line too.

He is enjoying this as much as any of them and is very clearly part of the fantastic team spirit. He may not be out with the lads on the pop, but they clearly value him and he looks as much a part as anyone.

My only worry is that he has had 18 different clubs in his career. Sadly I think that I means that his demons might come back and I don't think he will see his career out with us. Enjoy it while it lasts - what a wonderful time to be a Blade!

 

[DronnieBlade]

The evidence is very clear for all to see.

Sadly, Leon struggles for consistency.

He has been both utter gash and hugely impressive in a Blades shirt.

There is good Leon, as we saw Sunday, and bad Leon, which we have seen times many.

Being honest, as it stands, bad Leon is winning at the moment in terms of overall performance. We need to see more of good Leon before hero status could be even contemplated.

But Sunday was a good start. And under Wilder and Knill, if anyone can extract it, I am sure they can.

UTB

 

[Stretch]

 

[LSF]

Never hidden my admiration for Clarke the footballer on here, even when the majority of posters were giving him pelters.
Even now on this thread someone has questioned his mobility, I ask you!!
Probably Leon is the most mobile 6'2" 13st striker I've seen in a Blades shirt, save for Deano...
Dronnie is slowly coming round, albeit very slowly, but I agree with him to a point. No doubts at all about his gifts and attributes, but his mind, commitment and consistency has to match the ability for him to achieve relative success in the twilight of his career. He's certainly at the right club with the right management to achieve this (injuries not withstanding).
I've admired his abilities since his early days at Wolves and his fat bloke period at Swillsbro, so glad we've got him and heres hoping his head stays level....

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Not sure mobile is a word I'd use, but he's an excellent finisher. I was a bit surprised when we signed him but he's fully vindicated the decision.

Delighted for him.

Can Dronnie Blade comment on his ability please?