Careful now, there might be some evidence of defending in there that seems to have been forgotten by some!
There's some fantastic tackles in there, but then I don't think anyone's ever doubted his physicality and his tackling skill. He wasn't a terrible right back by any stretch, but there's also a fair few tackles in there where he's putting in a last-ditch challenge on an attacker racing towards goal. That's him making up ground on a player he let run in behind him. He didn't always catch them and that was the problem, too many instances of a player running off him because he's good at marshalling the man but not the space. If you look at Chris Solly in 2011/12 he won so many 1 on 1 duels, he was an absolute master of it, but he also created situations where the only option the winger had was to go at him and try and get past because his positioning was so good people couldn't get in behind him. If Clare was capable of doing that more he would have been on a level with Solly, maybe even above as he's a great athlete, but he doesn't have that positional nous that you need if dominating your winger is what you're best at
If Solly had the physical attributes of Clare he would have played for England.
One of my favourite players of recent times tbh so a bit disappointed he's gone. I kinda get it though. We need players playing in their natural positions week in week out. A player like Sean ads a lot of value to a well equipped squad though as he can do a job in a few areas. If he was a bit part player in SCPs champions squad we'd all be saying how valuable he was, but I'm afraid he's been exposed in a couple of poor teams. Wish him all the best. A top bloke and left everything on the pitch. Hope he gets himself a good gig.
Number 7. Either right winger or available squad number.
Still in the disappointed camp.
One of the few players I enjoyed watching for us over the last couple of seasons. Admittedly caught out of position at full back, albeit in a shit team. Would liked to have seen him with decent players around him.
We had too many players last season that drifted in and out of games and lost concentration at key times. Hence all the goals conceded, particularly from set pieces. Sean was part of this problem.
Attempted the 5th most tackles lol. How desperate can you get? I'm waiting for the stat that he got skinned or dozed off more often than 75% of L1 defenders.
Played out of position from the moment he signed. Good luck to the bloke. He’ll be fine as long as they don’t want him at full back.
He doesn't have a position, that's his problem. He reckons he's a midfielder but he never played worse for us than when he played in the middle. He was a middling to poor centre back and a decent enough full back. I think he might potentially be at his best on the right of a narrow midfield but even then I can see where the problems would be. He's a great athlete and ok on the ball but he just doesn't have a spot on the pitch that works for him because his positioning, awareness and concentration are so poor
Attepted the 5th most tackles lol. How desperate can you get? I'm waiting for the stat that he got skinned or dozed off more often than 75% of L1 defenders.
Would love to understand how WhoScored define “concentration”…
The reason he signed for us was he wanted to play in midfield. At Oxford he was promised a midfield role and then was put at the back. The same thing happened to him here with us.
Wish him well and hope he gets to play where he wants.
Careful now, there might be some evidence of defending in there that seems to have been forgotten by some!
There's some fantastic tackles in there, but then I don't think anyone's ever doubted his physicality and his tackling skill. He wasn't a terrible right back by any stretch, but there's also a fair few tackles in there where he's putting in a last-ditch challenge on an attacker racing towards goal. That's him making up ground on a player he let run in behind him. He didn't always catch them and that was the problem, too many instances of a player running off him because he's good at marshalling the man but not the space. If you look at Chris Solly in 2011/12 he won so many 1 on 1 duels, he was an absolute master of it, but he also created situations where the only option the winger had was to go at him and try and get past because his positioning was so good people couldn't get in behind him. If Clare was capable of doing that more he would have been on a level with Solly, maybe even above as he's a great athlete, but he doesn't have that positional nous that you need if dominating your winger is what you're best at
If Solly had the physical attributes of Clare he would have played for England.
Attepted the 5th most tackles lol. How desperate can you get? I'm waiting for the stat that he got skinned or dozed off more often than 75% of L1 defenders.
Would love to understand how WhoScored define “concentration”…
Likeable lad. No questions to be asked about his work rate. Not good enough though. Not bothered at all that a “rival” has signed him. Wish him luck though.
He was best as the third CB in a back 3, but I didn't rate him to be honest. His decision making was woeful, the amount of stupid fouls he gave away etc. Seems a nice, articulate bloke off the pitch though so I wish him well.
Attepted the 5th most tackles lol. How desperate can you get? I'm waiting for the stat that he got skinned or dozed off more often than 75% of L1 defenders.
Would love to understand how WhoScored define “concentration”…
A decent squad player but wouldn't have gotten in either Powell or Bowyer's promotion teams. That said hope it works out for him at Wigan and maybe they're having to cut there cloth accordingly for once at this level if he's been given the no 7 shirt.
Sad to see him go. Thought he was more than ok & attacked just as well as he defended. Quite often he was the catalyst for our wins, especially at home. Moved quickly upfield with the ball & helped out JRS no end. One game near the end of the season (might have been the last home game) he brought us to life in the 2nd half & was unlucky not to score.
Could do worse at right back....esp if we dont spend any money. Remember, there are plenty of Matt Penny's around when you go for a freebie.
Will be forever remembered for his piledriver at the JS end. Wish him well.
Comments
Still in the disappointed camp.
One of the few players I enjoyed watching for us over the last couple of seasons. Admittedly caught out of position at full back, albeit in a shit team. Would liked to have seen him with decent players around him.
Definitely more than a "decent squad player"...
personally I’d have kept him
decent length contract….although by the sounds of it good luck getting 3 years wages out of them!
How desperate can you get?
I'm waiting for the stat that he got skinned or dozed off more often than 75% of L1 defenders.
Wish him well and hope he gets to play where he wants.
Have all those managers really missed that they had a great central midfielder that just needed a run of games? Wigan are even calling him a defender.
Likeable lad. No questions to be asked about his work rate. Not good enough though. Not bothered at all that a “rival” has signed him. Wish him luck though.
Wonder if he will get a "go" in midfield.
Could do worse at right back....esp if we dont spend any money. Remember, there are plenty of Matt Penny's around when you go for a freebie.
Will be forever remembered for his piledriver at the JS end. Wish him well.