What do we do with Clarke ?

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Now that is an excellent question.
Up until we July we had no system and were absolute dire.
We needed to show intent and ambition by buying a "tried and tested" at league 1 level top quality striker. If we hadn't bought Clarke then many would have accused the club of lacking ambition.

The problem for Clarke is that he seems to prefer the Billy Sharp role. So if Sharp loses form or needs a rest then Clarke could be a good replacement.

THIS.

We may well need him in the run in. I'd rather play him, than play against him.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Direct competition (or ready-made replacements) now for each of the types of striker we've got?

Big man: Hanson/Clarke

Goalscorer: Sharp/McNulty

Ratter: Lavery/Done

Good post.
When we buy players, for example strikers, the manager should be thinking about which tactical box that player falls in.

Agree, it's mot just about buying a goal scorer.
Usually you need a big man or a ratter to enable the goal scorer to do their job.
Remember we've had Sharp before and he wasn't that good, that's because we didn't use the best tactics to bring the best out of him.

The problems we've had is that the Sharp/ Clarke partnership hasn't worked.
When they play together if anything Clarke is slightly the better player.
He tries flick ons into space but Billly isn't quick enough to take advantage
Billy likes to play as main striker with ball played to his feet.
I think Clarke prefers to play as the main striker too instead of support striker.

My main dissapointment with Clarke has been his lack of strength, always gets knocked off the ball
And falling down wanting fouls (some valid).

Recently we have loads of crosses in the box and loads of goal mouth scrambles
but our strikers are often outmuscled and their defence deal with it.
Will be really interesting how effective Hanson is during matches when teams park the bus.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I would love to see him stay, so many seasons de-railed from losing our top striker, if Billy got injured I think Clarke is the best option.

This is a hugely important point! Completely agree and it is so easy to forget where our seasons derailed in the past, whilst we're doing better at the moment. Hold on to him, we may well need him.