Adam Clayton

Massive blow. I haven’t seen anything like that. He was injured for ages. It was clear to see. Walker was looking at the bench for ages. Going down and still Hughes didn’t take him off.

I doubt we will see him on Saturday.

 

Do think East will earn a starting position after this run with clayton injured, thought he played quite well on last Saturday.

 

It has to be said that we don't seem to do short term injuries, with five weeks of the season left, I don't think Clayton will be back.
Hope I'm wrong.

 

Clayton has, on the whole, been absolutely fantastic since he signed for us. Everything about him is what we were needing in a midfielder, so will obviously be a big loss

HOWEVER with East, Osadebe and Derbyshire all champing at the bit & hopefully raring to go cease their chance, it shouldn't be as big a loss as it usually might have been

And it is worth mentioning that Grimsby have not had a midweek rest since the end of January, and have played every weekend & midweek since then, as well as away at Crawley tonight. They will have played 9 games in March alone including the FA Cup ties away against Brighton and Southampton. They must surely be feeling it by now!

 

Not sure about the Grimsby players, but i feel knackered just thinking about it.
Hopefully a few back this weekend, we really need to go for it and cement our place in the playoff's at a minimum.
Again we do seem to be dogged by injury's.

 

Yes possibly, I was talking about it with a mate of mine who has dropped from been a pro at Salford to being a semi-pro in the lower leagues, and he said fatigue will really begin to start kicking in around now

 

Except Gillead can't cross a road, let alone a football. I like him in central midfield cos he works hard but in the final third his lack of crossing or shooting ability is woeful as demonstrated by his lack of goals and assists throughout his career

 

He really hasn’t a clue. Back to footy, yes missing him now is better than losing him for the run in.

 

That's a fair way to think, especially with the play offs in mind. My worry though is who anchors in midfield. Does the simple stuff and the set pieces (smallwood is awful)

 

Ditto Chapman!

 

Sad though it is for Clayton it will, hopefully, force Hughes to play Smallwood in his natural position either at the base of the diamond or as one of the midfield two in 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. Well though they have both played, it mystifies me that we signed two players in January in Stubbs and Clayton who duplicated what we already had, when what we needed was a creative midfielder and an effective forward. Paradoxically, Clayton's injury might bring about a more balanced and more effective attacking side.

 

Clayton has obviously been round the block a few times and his experience will be missed.
That said Ryan East might be lacking the above but he makes up for that with shed loads of athleticism and drive.
Hopefully he will get the nod on Saturday and turn in another descent performance.

 

I remember Hughes saying Derbyshire would only be a couple of weeks and he's still not ready although he did say he should be back for Saturday, is that the bench or a place in the starting 11.

 

As you and I know, recovery from ailments takes longer, the older you get!

 

Pass the zimmer old chap!

 

He's looked awful in the brief appearances since returning from injury. Too much hype about him and his comeback. Not his fault. Hope he has a blinder if he plays against Grimsby.