Diego
Well-known member
Needs a run in the team with VDB once we have a reliable right back.
I do like Matt Clarke
- Thread starter AytonMews
- Start date
Smoggyonthesolent
Well-known member
They're better footballers but he's more committed and physical. He makes some superb blocks and tackles to protect the keeper.
Borotommo
Well-known member
We’re talking about a mid table championship squad compared to European finalists. There is no direct comparison, but I get the poster’s likening to their “awkward” style.
Clarke is clearly a far superior defender to Fry, and probably Lenihan. They‘re (all 3 of them) slow, but Clarke‘s positioning is better and he doesn’t get bullied like the other two.
Clarke and VDB for me
Diego
Well-known member
If fry is first choice starter for us we will always concede horribly weak goals and he will get bullied. He will then Put in a random man of the match performance and then everyone will think he’s class again. We have lived the Dael Fry circle a long time now, we know how it goes.
Let’s give Clarke and VDB ago.
indeedido
Well-known member
Not for me. Clarke is nowhere near good enough.
Diego
Well-known member
And Fry is? Not sure what people see at all. The most overrated weak defender we have and so one footed that he has to tackle with his right foot even when the attacker is not on that side. It’s so irritating. He’s got away with it for so long.
parmoboy
Well-known member
So frustrating that Djiksteel is injured. Would love to see VDB and Clarke as a pairing.
But did you watch him playing for west brom or are you basing this on what he’s done for us in a few games
Quicksilvera
Well-known member
Clarke edges Fry for me, I would have VDB and clarke as centre halves and play Dijksteel and Engel alongside them.
Diego
Well-known member
We need to sign a right back. Dijksteel always picks up niggles and he’s either really good or woeful. No middle ground. VDB is a top centre half but painful to watch at right back sadly.
indeedido
Well-known member
I like Dijksteel and am sure he is good enough to hold down right back permanently. I do accept his fitness is an issue.
I really don't see Clarke at all. I think he is a plodder who just slows us down.
I do accept he is coming back from injury, but the 3 matches he has started in the league recently have seen us easily beaten by Ipswich, woefully beaten at Rotherham and easily turned over today against Coventry.
I really don't see Clarke at all. I think he is a plodder who just slows us down.
I do accept he is coming back from injury, but the 3 matches he has started in the league recently have seen us easily beaten by Ipswich, woefully beaten at Rotherham and easily turned over today against Coventry.
Glover_elbow
Well-known member
Clarke is far more one footed than fry so much so it takes six touches with his left to hit engel or back to glover again
Diego
Well-known member
Can defend though and is aggressive, threat at set pieces, Fry has been a part of the problem for years conceding weak goals. He needs benching. Not saying Clarke is the answer, but for me once we have an able right back. It’s time to give Clarke and VDB ago. Looks like it’s an opinion others have too.
indeedido
Well-known member
I don't think he does defend well and is not a threat at set pieces.
He has plenty of aggression and puts himself about, but is really limited in ability.
Diego
Well-known member
He got an assist a few days ago from a set piece and caused havoc in the first half today getting the first contact on a few of Barlaser’s deep corners.
He has won player of the year on a few occasions at previous clubs at this level. There is without doubt a good player there and for me I don’t really think he’s been at fault for any of the goals. He does need to quicken it up on the ball a bit when playing out from the back but I’m sure that can be worked on. Left footed so brings a decent balance too.
I think he’s very able to do a job for us.
Some proper over the top (as always after a loss) reactions in here.
Fry and Clarke are both good / v good Championship defenders as their records suggest. They have bad games sometimes. More often that not they don't.
On Clarke in particular I don't think we can really to come to a conclusion on him for a few more games at least, he must still be working his way to match fitness.
One thing in comparison to Fry - he is much more of an attacking threat at set pieces.
Fry and Clarke are both good / v good Championship defenders as their records suggest. They have bad games sometimes. More often that not they don't.
On Clarke in particular I don't think we can really to come to a conclusion on him for a few more games at least, he must still be working his way to match fitness.
One thing in comparison to Fry - he is much more of an attacking threat at set pieces.
I think lack of pace is an issue for one or two - VdB springs to mind also. With pressing and high lines, modern defenders need to have that recovery capability. They also need to be footballers. Clarke is growing on me; he pinged a ball down the left wing today that was spot on, but I still worry about teams pressing our defence and eliciting mistakes. The second (crucial) goal today was a transition from Engel getting caught down a blind alley. Nobody knows what our first and best back 4 is. That's ultimately the reason we may fall short this season. As everyone knows, you build from the back.
