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Donaldson and Clarkes Contribution

Discussion in 'City Talk' started by JonButterfield, Feb 28, 2021.

  1. NorthernMonkey

    NorthernMonkey Squad Player
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    I don't disagree that he works hard, if only that was all you required from someone playing in a front 3.

    He's probably got a similar role in the squad to Donaldson whereby he'll be used sparingly and to fill gaps but once the season is over I fully expect us to upgrade.
     
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  2. Wolfysmith

    Wolfysmith Impact Sub

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    That's right. Clarke's contribution was sorely missed when he was out injured and (I think) Stevens replaced him. FCD got no help from Stevens and was left badly exposed. Ultimately this lead to FCD being dropped.
     
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  3. Bronco

    Bronco Star Player
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    As T&S brought Donaldson on to do, kill the game we're 2- 1 ahead get the ball up there end and make it stick, which is what he did.
     
  4. Wolfysmith

    Wolfysmith Impact Sub

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    He also slowed the pace of the game down at a time when Walsall were on top and dictating the game.
    He did the simple things like coming into our half to pick the ball up (up until then it was being hoofed up to Rowe only to come straight back), making short 1-2s with those around him and helping to keep possession.
     
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  5. Eldwick Steve

    Eldwick Steve Emergency Backup

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    As a lone striker Donaldson does have some pace , which can get you further up pitch , as you can knock it over last man in certain cases , you can’t do this with Rowe
     
  6. Wolfysmith

    Wolfysmith Impact Sub

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    Does his lack of perceived mobility really matter if his role is to win possession up the field, hold the ball up for those around him that do have pace?
    The Don always struggled when he was part of a team with no pace and players scared to win the ball from him and attack the opposition box
     
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  7. JonButterfield

    JonButterfield Star Player
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    You can say that again.

    The Don has played 90 minutes on 8 occasions this season.

    From those 8 games we managed 1 point.
     
  8. Park bantam

    Park bantam Regular Starter
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    And many of the players on the run we are having now will also have played in those matches
     
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  9. JonButterfield

    JonButterfield Star Player
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    Good point.

    It shows many of those other players are good enough to go on a good run.

    But when you absolutely can't score, all it takes is one goal and you've lost, and we saw that play out during the Don's run up top.
     
  10. NorthernMonkey

    NorthernMonkey Squad Player
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    Those stats literally mean nothing given that we were 2nd bottom so the majority of the squad would have had very similar stats before boosting them under T&S.
     
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  11. NorthernMonkey

    NorthernMonkey Squad Player
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    He got dropped because he's young and still learning but ultimately because right now, AOC is a better player.
     
  12. hornseabantam

    hornseabantam Squad Player

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    For once in a long long time, we have a management team who have ruthlessly cleared out the dross from our squad and signed much better players we need, position by position. They seem to have known what they were doing. My feeling is that T&S, Sparks and Turnbull had no interest whatever in trying to pay off or send Clayton elsewhere. He's there for a reason. On the pitch, to do what he did in the last few minutes of the game - and a similar thing they've used him for now and again over the last dozen games. Unless we hit major injuries and suspensions, of course he isn't going to start. But if we do, there's a man with the experience of 500 plus games under his belt. But I also suspect he's there on the training pitch to help set standards for our younger players, show them what you need to do in terms of commitment and fitness to still be playing league football after nearly 20 years in the game. And I also suspect that T&S and Sparks are looking to keep him on, not as a player after May, but as part of the coaching set up with the youth squads.
     
  13. NorthernMonkey

    NorthernMonkey Squad Player
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    You'd only see that to make the comparison if CD started with the new signings and shape. Otherwise you're comparing apples and oranges.
     
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  14. Offcomedun

    Offcomedun Important Player
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    Indeed. We know the Don isn't going to score many goals. But in the hold up role with the likes of Crankshaw, Vernam, Cooke, Sutton buzzing around him I think he'd still do a job for 45 minutes if required.
     
  15. JonButterfield

    JonButterfield Star Player
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    It's funny that no stats ever mean anything if you don't agree.

    Point is, with Donaldson up front, we were heading to non league.

    Luckily the management team saw that and addressed the problem.
     
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  16. Wolfysmith

    Wolfysmith Impact Sub

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    What he said⬆
     
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  17. Bronco

    Bronco Star Player
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    I'd guess those 8 games were when neither Novak or Guthrie were available?.
     
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  18. NorthernMonkey

    NorthernMonkey Squad Player
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    With Paudie at the back, Cooke and Watt in midfield, Wood at left back etc etc we were also heading to non league.

    What's your point? Do you even have one?
     
  19. bantam2708

    bantam2708 Squad Player
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    Donaldson shouldn't be compared to DMH, thats an insult to what has been a good career. Even though he has offered little since his injury last season, its still more than DMH ever did.

    However, I'm very much in the camp that he should only be used as a last resort, and by that I mean only as a late sub. Even with no strikers fit, T&S chose Vernam upfront over him so I think they're of the same opinion.

    Contrary to some, I've always thought his hold up play was pants, although he's good at winning free kicks, which is why he's suited to coming on to see games out. That and he can help defend set pieces because we're not the biggest of sides.

    He has his values, but in no way should we be contemplating starting him again this season.
     
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  20. Stan Smith

    Stan Smith Emergency Backup
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    We could just start him for the last match of the season, as a send off and tribute to his lengthy career, it won't matter as automatic promotion will have been confirmed by then.
     

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