Most Town fans have had their say about Peter Clarke, particularly the often disgruntled 38, who appears to have now done a runner, so lets hope this post tempts him back on here.
To be fair to Clarke, most fans saw him as probably one our best and most consistent performers over his first couple of seasons with Town, although many now appear to be believe that he's not up to playing at Championship level.
However, his chief knockers led by 38, have gone fairly quite this season, no doubt due to Town having the fourth tightest defence in the league, but having said that, it's the Manager's view of Clarke which counts and here's what Mark Robins had to say about him in yesterdays Huddersfield Examiner.
"Pete is the perfect role model for any young player who wants to make his mark in the game. He his a very good player and a very good professional whose attitude the his job is first class. Playing 500 games is a great achievement, especially in these days of squad rotation, but it's not a surprise that he's gotten to this landmark. Pete has stayed largely injury free, and it's likely to have something to do with the diligent way he looks after himself off the pitch, and when he does have a niggle he's the type who is willing to grit his teeth and get on with it whenever possible.
Clarke has been a central part of our solid start to the season playing a new look 3-5-2 formation and he and the rest of the lads have adapted to it really well. It's still a work in progress, but we feel we are getting there, and Pete's experience and leadership qualities have been vital"
So, it's nice to hear what the man in charge thinks about PC, which puts into perspective what a lot of the knockers think about him, and although I agree with some their comments, I reckon overall Clarke has been one our most consistent performers since he arrived at Town and so far this season, he more than justifies is place in the starting line up.
Now over to 38 and his other dis tractors for them to have their say.
Peter Clarke
posted on 15/10/13
Don't worry yourself Jacko...
The lad is part of a sports gaming league that I was/am interested in
posted on 15/10/13
Err . Champagne super dirty Leeds fan
posted on 15/10/13
Mirf.
True, he wasn't 'blessed' with skills, but.
to compare the two...
Roy Ellam was ..lets say ungainly , But despite that, & you'll remember this as much as any of us, very very few centre forwards got the better of him, & I include those two seasons for us in league 1 (premier league for those born after the time 'government' started telling people how to think & what you could & couldn't say)
And as for Clarke & 'Wor Jackie',
I can't see him playing for England anytime soon or getting a medal in Brazil...such is the divide
posted on 15/10/13
Darn,
Overall I reckon Clarke has been a good buy for Town, although I would rate him a very good League One player and a more than adequate Championship player, providing the defence is set up correctly.
OK, so he might not be the fastest player around, which make him susceptible to balls over the top, but on balance I reckon his advantages still out weigh any negatives, which the likes of 38 might throw his way.
Lets face it, I reckon a lot of it is sour grapes from 38, since he never quite made it in the pro game himself, although he appears to think that he was every bit as good as Clarkey, or even better
Anyhow Darn, b-llocks to 38, Robins and Clarkey right now, the main thing is that England have qualified for the World cup final in Brazil.
posted on 15/10/13
Still too last ditch, through himself in and give away a free kick and get booked, for my liking.
However, he is one hundred percent committed!
posted on 16/10/13
Mirf..
Too right pal,
Come on ENGLAND ,
I'll be on the move however while the last fortnight of the comp is played out ! Sunday the 13th is the final I believe..
Lets hope me & thee along with a few other cronies on this chat board are all wired in on that day & we are still 'involved'.
How good would that be
posted on 19/10/13
Clarke in defence? He has bagged one for Leicester today!
posted on 20/10/13
Gerrard actually...who is a right donkey, stumbling and misskicking...now scoring own goals...he gaffed against Watford missing a high ball and laying it off straight to the Watford striker 25 yards from goal...yesterday he was falling all over the place....not the nimblest of players..
I did wonder though whether Smithies might have come out and punched the ball clear...it was only on the 6 yard box...?
posted on 20/10/13
Jacko - the most laughable part of all is Gerrard's heading ability - completely free headers coming off his head like a thre'penny bit and going into touch or straight to their man when he has time to find a Town player. Awful - comical even.
Clarke is actually benfitting from pplaying alongside Gerrard becasue it makes him look better. Lynch is clearly the best of the 3 but at least Clarke has a decent pass on him - Gerrard is just a fake - a conman who talks himself up and struts and shouts like a confident footballer yet has zero ability on the floor and very little in the air.
As for the original post - I like Clarke and he's been a really good servant to Town but, if we are to continue to progress, he will need to be replaced. His back-pedalling is second to none - he runs faster backwards than he does forwards and he knows - yes he knows - that he's not a top half championship footballer, hence his anxiety when faced with pacey forwards. Having said that, there's no rush to dump him just yet - unlike the big lummax next to him.
posted on 25/10/13
We are a mid table 2nd tier side,,, Aint seen many class centre halves, this season playing for the opposition, Ait seen owt that is much better than the much maligned skipper (3 managers now) nor Gerrard (bought by at least 2 managers in this division, Both of whom ar now in top tier,,, Do our defensive stats say we are pants ? Granted i ant seen all our games where these 2 may have had shockers,,,, The games i have been too where we have been turned over, I would put down to te midfield 3 being out of sorts, not getting in close, hiding, off the pace, lacking the desre to get the 2nd ball,,, Not AG or PCs lack of pace or distribution skills,,,,,,,,,,, Is there a Morrison, Jones or Monkou willing to sign for us ? Nah,, ,,,, 3 quarters of the centre halves in this division are prone to commit an error, shat thee senz when against pace and be pap at passing the ball to a team mate, PC n AG are no different.