Sharpe/Clarke debate

[Dullblade]

Long term lurker, finally fancied throwing myself into the shark tank.

Seems a lot of people were questioning dropping Sharpie for clarky tonight, but I for one thought it was necessary. Clarkie was outstanding tonight and was probably his best performance for us in quite a while. I'm not bashing billie though, he's had an excellent start to the season!

However, both have shown to be players who tend to score in bursts and whilst that's fine when they are finding the onion bag, it becomes an issue when they don't. Most people said at the end of the season we needed another striker and whilst McGoldrick has surprised many, I think some still feel another is needed.

Whilst we may benefit from an additional striker, we can reap the benefits far more from wilder accurately rotating between Sharp and Clark when they are on form and I have a suspicion that this is what he's trying to do. On their day both are unplayable and when they are not, though I don't necessarily agree, can sometimes offer little.

Be interesting to see how this season pans out. I have a sneaky suspicion we shall see this rotation between these two often and I wouldn't be surprised if both Clark and Sharp are on similar goal tallies at the end of the season.

I hope I didn't trigger too many people with the deliberate misspellings

 

[Kryten]

Clarke was given an opportunity tonight and he took it, it seems to me he loses focus when hes deemed un-droppable. Instead of meandering about in a lethargic manner tonight he put himself about and looked hungry for it again.

When Leon plays like this he is really is a handful for the opposition, just wish he wouldn't look so disinterested for long periods of times during dry spells....because when hes on form, he's on fire!

 

[Dullblade]

I think the issue with Clarke is his body language suggests disinterest, but if you watch him closely he does do a lot of running, as with all the strikers/players.

 

[SwissBlade]

Clarke was given an opportunity tonight and he took it, it seems to me he loses focus when hes deemed un-droppable. Instead of meandering about in a lethargic manner tonight he put himself about and looked hungry for it again.

When Leon plays like this he is really is a handful for the opposition, just wish he wouldn't look so disinterested for long periods of times during dry spells....because when hes on form, he's on fire!

Last night Leon gave their defenders a real run around.
Billy wouldn't have been able to stretch them in the same way that Leon and McG did last night. Billy plays a much more central role and isn't as effective down the flanks, because we need him in the box. However, Leon, McG, stretched their centre halves wide and we had Duffy trying to slot in along side them whenever he could.

I thought it created a lot of space, which is why we saw Stevens, Bash, Freeman and the two strikers getting chances

All that said, before we scored i thought that the time was right to bring in Billy as the chances being created were 'Billy Type' chances

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I'd echo those sentiments as thought Clarke was excellent.

However, as with Saturday v Derby, we were crying out for someone with pace in the final third as the game entered the final 20mins. Leon had run Williams into the ground and there were big spaces behind and through their defence.

I know it's been done to death but It's games like last night where we missed Brooks and that burst of pace late on...

 

[JackSUFC]

Clarke was probably selected to cause problems against their big centre halves. He did well, constantly getting in behind and winning aerial battles with Williams. I thought it was a good decision by Wilder and everyone would be agreeing if we’d have won.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Constantly lacks anticipation.

Permanently on his heals instead of his toes.

Frustratingly, rarely gets in front of his marker to latch on to forward passes, thus turning over possession.

And for a CF, who is judged mostly on scoring goals, that’s 1 for the season. Lost count of the sitters in that time.

It is PAINFULLY obvious that a high percentage of our fan base give huge credit to a player that runs around a lot (that mostly amounts to little achieved) and who occasionally wins a header that amounts to summat !!

UTB

 

[Houston_Blade]

Constantly lacks anticipation.

Permanently on his heals instead of his toes.

Frustratingly, rarely gets in front of his marker to latch on to forward passes, thus turning over possession.

And for a CF, who is judged mostly on scoring goals, that’s 1 for the season. Lost count of the sitters in that time.

It is PAINFULLY obvious that a high percentage of our fan base give huge credit to a player that runs around a lot (that mostly amounts to little achieved) and who occasionally wins a header that amounts to summat !!

UTB

Has Leon shagged your wife?!

 

[Revolution]

I thought it was a good decision by Wilder and everyone would be agreeing if we’d have won.

To me the fact that we didn't win (again) when Sharp was dropped militates against the idea that it was a good decision.

 

[sufcboy95]

Thought Clarke did well tonight. However there’s no way he’s still the player he was beggining of last season. And McGoldrick and sharp is still the best bet

 

[blade too long]

Constantly lacks anticipation.

Permanently on his heals instead of his toes.

Frustratingly, rarely gets in front of his marker to latch on to forward passes, thus turning over possession.

And for a CF, who is judged mostly on scoring goals, that’s 1 for the season. Lost count of the sitters in that time.

It is PAINFULLY obvious that a high percentage of our fan base give huge credit to a player that runs around a lot (that mostly amounts to little achieved) and who occasionally wins a header that amounts to summat !!

UTB

If he scored in every game youd moan he wànt scoring hat tricks . Yes we all know its his first of the month but as he hasnt been in the team its hardly surprising. Really don't get your hatred of Leon . Borders on paranoia

 

[DronnieBlade]

If he scored in every game youd moan he wànt scoring hat tricks . Yes we all know its his first of the month but as he hasnt been in the team its hardly surprising. Really don't get your hatred of Leon . Borders on paranoia

Everything stated is constructive.

I’ll leave the paranoia to the masses

UTB

 

[SB_90]

i think we had to have 2 physical people up front because it was stoke. but also I wondered Clarke is not a impact sub, you either start him or you rest dont bring him off bench as no point. but great as Clarke played since probally start of calendar year thats probally only his 3rd good performance

 

[blade too long]

Both Sharp and Clarke are getting on in years . It's common sense to rotate a bit.
Neither will manage a 46 game season.

 

[bonobo]

With Billy in great form, however well Clarke played, you have time think he would also have been on the scoresheet, with all the positions we got into create chances.

 

[super_pig]

Clarke was probably selected to cause problems against their big centre halves. He did well, constantly getting in behind and winning aerial battles with Williams. I thought it was a good decision by Wilder and everyone would be agreeing if we’d have won.

i reckon Leon was brought in for his defensive skills as well. Stoke are still a bit route one/ set pieces type of outfit FWICS

 

[super_pig]

Constantly lacks anticipation.

Permanently on his heals instead of his toes.

Frustratingly, rarely gets in front of his marker to latch on to forward passes, thus turning over possession.

And for a CF, who is judged mostly on scoring goals, that’s 1 for the season. Lost count of the sitters in that time.

It is PAINFULLY obvious that a high percentage of our fan base give huge credit to a player that runs around a lot (that mostly amounts to little achieved) and who occasionally wins a header that amounts to summat !!

UTB

and yet put in a post rebound that takes anticipation and not being on your heels. yeah ok.

 

[Danny_Boy]

Long term lurker, finally fancied throwing myself into the shark tank.

Seems a lot of people were questioning dropping Sharpie for clarky tonight, but I for one thought it was necessary. Clarkie was outstanding tonight and was probably his best performance for us in quite a while. I'm not bashing billie though, he's had an excellent start to the season!

However, both have shown to be players who tend to score in bursts and whilst that's fine when they are finding the onion bag, it becomes an issue when they don't. Most people said at the end of the season we needed another striker and whilst McGoldrick has surprised many, I think some still feel another is needed.

Whilst we may benefit from an additional striker, we can reap the benefits far more from wilder accurately rotating between Sharp and Clark when they are on form and I have a suspicion that this is what he's trying to do. On their day both are unplayable and when they are not, though I don't necessarily agree, can sometimes offer little.

Be interesting to see how this season pans out. I have a sneaky suspicion we shall see this rotation between these two often and I wouldn't be surprised if both Clark and Sharp are on similar goal tallies at the end of the season.

I hope I didn't trigger too many people with the deliberate misspellings

Clarke played well tonight and scored so can’t knock his performance at all. But is it just me that thinks McGoldrick looks ten times better when he plays with Sharp?

 

[LSF]

Everything stated is constructive.

I’ll leave the paranoia to the masses

UTB

Not constructive or factual.
Just the strange urge to act as a wum on this particular subject.
I don't get that sort of mentality even on an internet message board.

Clarke, after having a slow start to this season was outstanding last night. Lead the line well, gave the centre backs a real hard time and stuck away one of his two chances.

Yet you find it amusing to post that destructive shit.
No doubt you'll find one of your smart arsed quips in reply....

 

[LSF]

Clarke played well tonight and scored so can’t knock his performance at all. But is it just me that thinks McGoldrick looks ten times better when he plays with Sharp?

Probably...

 

[Sheffsteel]

Constantly lacks anticipation.

Permanently on his heals instead of his toes.

Frustratingly, rarely gets in front of his marker to latch on to forward passes, thus turning over possession.

And for a CF, who is judged mostly on scoring goals, that’s 1 for the season. Lost count of the sitters in that time.

It is PAINFULLY obvious that a high percentage of our fan base give huge credit to a player that runs around a lot (that mostly amounts to little achieved) and who occasionally wins a header that amounts to summat !!

UTB

To be fair Dronnie has a good point.
But Clarke and Sharp are totally different strikers.

Sharp is the best finisher/ predator at the club
But Clarke is a much better allround round striker but he’s more jack of all trades, master of none.
Depends what you want. Thought Clarke was good last night and deserves our support.

 

[SUFC Guy]

We would definitely benefit with all 3 playing in a 3-5-3 formation

Seriously though if we could manage to make a 4-3-3 work with Sharp in the box and Clarke and Davy working the channels then it could pay dividends but who would lose out and how would it work?

Perhaps:

--------------Freeman ---- Bash --- Egan --- Jack

---------------------------Ollie --- Fleck

--------------------------------Duffy

--------Davy -------------- Sharp -------------- Clarke




But would that have a detrimental effect to the way we play? Probably so as we would be narrow in midfield unless freeman and Jack were in a slightly advance position with Ollie dropping a little deeper when they attack - also Davy and Clarke in a slightly deeper roll behind Billy to help plug that midfield wide area.

I'm not a manager so I don't know but we all have fun playing at being the manager don't we?

 

[DronnieBlade]

Not constructive or factual.
Just the strange urge to act as a wum on this particular subject.
I don't get that sort of mentality even on an internet message board.

Clarke, after having a slow start to this season was outstanding last night. Lead the line well, gave the centre backs a real hard time and stuck away one of his two chances.

Yet you find it amusing to post that destructive shit.
No doubt you'll find one of your smart arsed quips in reply....

WUM = challenging the popular view.

Slow start = exactly that !! We have no room for passengers.

Outstanding last night = no comment necessary . Our views on what outstanding looks like clearly differ !!

Destructive = constructive as previous.

Smart arsed quip .............

UTB

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Your praise of Clarke when he was in the middle of his purple patch last season was a half hearted attempt at best.

We get you dislike him.

No further comments required.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Clarke played well tonight and scored so can’t knock his performance at all. But is it just me that thinks McGoldrick looks ten times better when he plays with Sharp?

I actually thought our two front lads were the best combination I've seen this season but at some point last night William was needed.

 

[The Jackdaw]

Your opinion was irrelevant after you called him Sharpe.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Has Leon shagged your wife?!

Your so sure I am a bloke ?

Gay ??

Be careful !!!!

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

Your praise of Clarke when he was in the middle of his purple patch last season was a half hearted attempt at best.

We get you dislike him.

No further comments required.

Dislike ? Not accurate.

Frustrated at what he does not offer (perhaps sometimes to the detriment of what he does), OK I’ll take that.

But when folks spout such nonsense as “Leon was outstanding last night”, I’m clearly gonna (quite rightly) rip it to shreds.

Decent performance and a marked improvement on previous ones. Hell yeah.

Maybe even good.

Outstanding ?.................

Nah.

UTB

 

[Maidenhead]

Constantly lacks anticipation.

Permanently on his heals instead of his toes.

Frustratingly, rarely gets in front of his marker to latch on to forward passes, thus turning over possession.

And for a CF, who is judged mostly on scoring goals, that’s 1 for the season. Lost count of the sitters in that time.

It is PAINFULLY obvious that a high percentage of our fan base give huge credit to a player that runs around a lot (that mostly amounts to little achieved) and who occasionally wins a header that amounts to summat !!

UTB

Everything stated is constructive.

I’ll leave the paranoia to the masses

UTB

Excuse me asking, but exactly which bits of your first post are the constructive bits?

Just looks like a player demolition to me.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Constantly lacks anticipation.

Permanently on his heals instead of his toes.

Frustratingly, rarely gets in front of his marker to latch on to forward passes, thus turning over possession.

And for a CF, who is judged mostly on scoring goals, that’s 1 for the season. Lost count of the sitters in that time.

It is PAINFULLY obvious that a high percentage of our fan base give huge credit to a player that runs around a lot (that mostly amounts to little achieved) and who occasionally wins a header that amounts to summat !!

UTB

Most of the time the above is a fair assessment, but not last night. Last night he gave Ashley Williams a torrid time...