Couldn't believe how slow Clarke was, looks like he should be quick but really, really isn't!
Kermorgant and Jackson aint exactly Usain Bolt you know! To be honest I think many on here expect every signing we make to blitz everyone in their position and become a first team stalwart. Clarke is alright, he's nothing special, he wasn't as fit as he could have been when he joined us and he joined Crawley on loan as Powell felt he wasn't really needed for the run in. If he comes back and scores 7-8 goals in preseason I'll bet everyone will be clamouring for him to start in the league, but because he didn't come into our squad in January and score a brace in his debut I guess he's not good enough for us eh?
Couldn't believe how slow Clarke was, looks like he should be quick but really, really isn't!
Kermorgant and Jackson aint exactly Usain Bolt you know! To be honest I think many on here expect every signing we make to blitz everyone in their position and become a first team stalwart. Clarke is alright, he's nothing special, he wasn't as fit as he could have been when he joined us and he joined Crawley on loan as Powell felt he wasn't really needed for the run in. If he comes back and scores 7-8 goals in preseason I'll bet everyone will be clamouring for him to start in the league, but because he didn't come into our squad in January and score a brace in his debut I guess he's not good enough for us eh?
i wasn't expecting him to score a brace in his début (would of been nice) I was expecting to do something of some use. which he failed to do. if he does come back and score a load of goals of course I would (any sane person would) want him to come into the side. that go's for any player. I can only judge him for what he has done for us so far (any sane person would) and say he aint done enough to warrant keeping him. however if you do that you never find out what he could do if given more of a chance. he could be the next Darren Bent. after careful thought I have decided I would take that risk and ship him out.
Maybe Clarke is an amazing mediator and was the one that returned the board to loving cuddles, before doling money out to our unpaid suppliers that had never complained. Maybe Clarke is Jesus? You'd not want to shift that to Oldham.
Just supposing it was actually Clarkie who told Oldham, "No thanks"........?
Oldham would have to match his existing contract at Charlton, me thinks.
The first stage in the process is the selling club accepting the buying cluba's offer. They wouldn't be making any kind of an offer until that was accepted
We're probably overthinking it. My first thought was that Dickov misjudged just how much we didn't want him; thought he could take him off our hands for free and we reckon we can get a fee off someone else
If Clarke was truly as bad as he looked on his debut, he'd never have made it as a professional footballer. There has to be more there and Powell has obviously seen it.
We're short of strikers so why let him go unless the offer is too good to refuse ? .. and yes I know some on here think that tuppence would be a penny too much to pay for him.
I was told that he refused to mix with the other players and generally had the attitude hump and was difficult to like, allegedly.
off topic a wee bit .. but .. much of our success last season was down to a superb tight bond and team spirit amongst a core group of players. Sometimes when an 'outsider' arrives it is difficult for all parties to a) accept a newcomer and b) a newcomer to accept that in the short term he will not be fully accepted. If Clarke is perhaps a sensitive type, that might well have given him the idea that he was not wanted and this impacted on his team performances. The close season is the time for players and management to resolve any such 'emotional' issues.
It's really important. Look how the likes of Mata and the unused/underused Llorente celebrated Spain's win in the Euros. I think the likes of Haynes came in and fitted in. Not so sure about Clarke. There's a good player in there somewhere.
I was told that he refused to mix with the other players and generally had the attitude hump and was difficult to like, allegedly.
off topic a wee bit .. but .. much of our success last season was down to a superb tight bond and team spirit amongst a core group of players. Sometimes when an 'outsider' arrives it is difficult for all parties to a) accept a newcomer and b) a newcomer to accept that in the short term he will not be fully accepted. If Clarke is perhaps a sensitive type, that might well have given him the idea that he was not wanted and this impacted on his team performances. The close season is the time for players and management to resolve any such 'emotional' issues.
And a trip to Las Vegas wouldn't have hurt either. After the Di Canio spat last year, Neil Warnock commented that it was very out of character for Clarke. Despite the Chesterfield outlet, I doubt that we got Clarke in the best frame of mind. A pre season will help enormously and give Powell a chance to mould him into the squad and into the vision for the season. If Powell wants to move him on I'm sure he will, but otherwise I think we should give him a chance to prove us wrong.
Still think he'll leave. No doubt he didn't show his best for us but I think he was a gamble when we swapped him for Benson and the Championship is another step up for him.
Not sure fitness is his problem - he played for both Swindon and Chesterfield before signing for us. As 5th choice next season his fitness could be even worse, should he be playing in the u21 league as an overage player when we have 4 promising u21 strikers?
Perhaps we'll send him out on loan, if he does well and we need him we can bring him back.
Comments
if he does come back and score a load of goals of course I would (any sane person would) want him to come into the side. that go's for any player. I can only judge him for what he has done for us so far (any sane person would) and say he aint done enough to warrant keeping him.
however if you do that you never find out what he could do if given more of a chance. he could be the next Darren Bent.
after careful thought I have decided I would take that risk and ship him out.
Oldham would have to match his existing contract at Charlton, me thinks.
If that's the case he's sure to be moved on with the right offer, I should think.
Not sure fitness is his problem - he played for both Swindon and Chesterfield before signing for us. As 5th choice next season his fitness could be even worse, should he be playing in the u21 league as an overage player when we have 4 promising u21 strikers?
Perhaps we'll send him out on loan, if he does well and we need him we can bring him back.
We would only want 4 I'd guess, especially if we are on a tight budget. That said, surely we won't sign another striker until 2 go?