Off that Bradford thread: "The technical side of the game, Billy is very good at it - he's got a nice touch, can find a pass, but the problem is that his goal scoring record for a 'striker' is woeful - he's more of a CAM, an inconsistent one at that. "
Thought Clarke was decent for Bradford although those stats look bad.
If he signs then not. "wow" signing but might do well for us behind Magennis. Seems more of an all round team player than Ajose for example.
A team can be greater than the sum of it's parts... if done properly. Done badly and it's just eleven shit players failing to string a pass together. Time will tell I guess...
He played regularly for Bradford all season, a top 6 team, so clearly the management there rated him. Bradford weren't prolific scorers though, only 2 more than us
"Striker" 7 goals in a season when his team finished top 6, let joy be unconfined. All we need to hear next is that 'he is seen as the replacement for a northbound Ricky Holmes' and we'll have the bar set for the coming season. Welcome Billy, may your stay in SE7 be productive and enjoyable for all concerned.
A big problem we had when Robinson came in was that he is a rigid disciple of 4-2-3-1 but we didn't have the players to do it well. If Clarke is coming in as the 10 in that formation then at the very least we'll be signing a player that the manager reckons can fit the system. 7 league goals in 33 games isn't completely horrible for a 10 so it doesn't look like a total disaster signing. I'm not really sure who people are expecting us to sign. We had a shit season where our final position disguised the fact we were actually battling relegation for most of the tail end, we're a club with a well known recent history of being a basket case and our squad isn't one prospective players will look at as one that is just a couple of additions away from going up. There are a lot of teams you would normally think we could compete with for transfers that are a better proposition this season. Sheff Utd, Millwall, Scunthorpe, Bury apparently are a better prospect for players than us right now. Last season was the one where we could attract top level L1 talent, this now is the one where we'll have to be a bit clever.
My mate who is a Bradford season ticket holder (coming in handy this summer) says that Clarke usually plays behind the strikers links attack and midfield. Says he can go missing in games and isn't that bothered about him leaving (he's distarught at the possibility of Marshall leaving). I can imagine him being signed for that number 10 role but my mate says he plays better behind 2 striker and he is a good player that doesn't really fit into most formations.
If Bradford had a half decent frontline last season, then they would have gone up automatically. Maybe McCall is not fussed to have a clear out of his frontline/attacking options, as they clearly are not good enough in his opinion to push his club on to the next level.
What Clarke brings to us, who knows. I will reserve judgement until I see him in a red shirt.
Comments
"Omg apparently they're paying a fee haha"
Not sure how a 5 ft 7 striker fits into a 4-2-3-1, I imagine he's coming in as a squad player rather than automatic first choice.
Clarkehinho
A couple more tweets from my comprehensive scouting report.
"The technical side of the game, Billy is very good at it - he's got a nice touch, can find a pass, but the problem is that his goal scoring record for a 'striker' is woeful - he's more of a CAM, an inconsistent one at that. "
Mark Marshall - Off to Millwall
From a very very reliable source at Bradford
If he signs then not a "wow" signing but might do well for us behind Magennis. Seems more of an all round team player than Ajose for example.
Wow just wow
You clearly just read their forum like I did. It's all on there.
Welcome Billy, may your stay in SE7 be productive and enjoyable for all concerned.
We're not really known for being clever.
Reason I say is if he's supposed to be a No.10 where does that leave us in our pursuit of Ben Reeves?
Edit: My mate was talking bout Clarke not himself
What Clarke brings to us, who knows. I will reserve judgement until I see him in a red shirt.