Donaldson and Clarkes Contribution

Can't argue with that. Donaldson struggled pre T&S and he doesn't look to have 90 mins in his legs anymore. However, with the pace of Crankshaw and Vernam, he should fare slightly better if we do need to use him from the start tomorrow night. He'll have pace around him. That proposition is very different to having no wide forwards next to you, with Guthrie the closest thing you could call 'support'.

 

As great a sentiment that is, I’d like to think we’ve put farting around in the past and take every game seriously now.

There could be lads playing for new contracts / youth players in need of proper game experience which IMO would be a better way of picking a team if we are in a fortunate position of having wrapped up promotion by then.

A mid-second half sub appearance would be more fitting with a substitution just before the end for an applause.

 

Mods. Any chance of moving the Don/Donkey debate to a thread of its own?

 

Any chance of being more respectful to a solid professional whose always given 100% for every club he's played for ?

 

I mean, it was said tongue in cheek. But ok.

 

Yeah, mainly as sub but one who can definitely contribute if and when needed.

Pretty sure my viewpoint has been pretty consistent throughout the thread.

 

So far this season Clarke has clearly contributed more than Donaldson. But neither would be in my starting 11 if everyone was fit and available.

 

I didn't intend any disrespect at all. Apologies if it seems the case. I was merely trying to reflect two sides of another tedious round-in-cicles 'discussion' that was distracting from the topic of the thread.

 

Imagine, may 8th. Dust settled and we've got in the play offs by a mere point.

Jon, you know who'll you will have to thank for that......

 

Fair play Jon.

 

I'm the most vocal when it comes to players not performing or not giving their all for a team.
They are well paid and well trained so they totally deserve any flack from supporters.
On these 2 though there's some absolute bollocks been written on here.
Clarkes last full match before injury he was close to being mom.
Tirelessly working back to help out FCD, providing quality touches and good set pieces.
Donaldson isn't a lone striker and isn't a target man like Stuart tried to play him.
On Saturday we were losing the ball in the opposition half on plenty of occasions until Clayton and Stevens to some effect, came on.
They helped us see out a vital victory, as Clayton did against Morecambe.
Quite clearly as every bloody season, some just want to stick knives into players who out of all the squad, have the club, the local area and the supporters close at heart.
Stuart, Hanson, Lawn and Rhodes, and now it's Clarke and Donaldson.
Wind ye necks in FFS.

 

I have nothing against either player and think both have their part to play, but Clarke does really frustrate me. He should have far more influence than he does. I was about to say the good thing is he doesn't give the ball away, but then when I think back he does give it away a lot. He is fine picking the ball up from say Wood, but then more often than not he just passes it straight back to him. On the occasion when he does try to be more adventurous he ends up giving it away. For all that he is a steady hand but no longer 1st eleven for me.

 

Andy Cook definitely does.

The opposition get a kick off every time we pass to him in the box.

 

This!

Obviously Donaldson isn't going to be starting games - unless we have an absolute disaster with injuries - but what an experienced player to have in our squad. I've been impressed with his calm head in the last few games when he's come on to help see out games. We can't underestimate that influence, it can be the difference between a win and a draw / draw - loss.

As for Clarke, he'd not be my first choice to start games given the form of our starting 11 at the moment but I'd not rule it out. He gives his all, looks after the ball and is a decent squad member.

Both players have a wealth of experience which I imagine other teams envy.