Most liked posts in thread: Billy Clarke confirmed

And Edin still here running us into the ground.

 

I agree with most of the comments here. Only thing I can think is I’m sure he played some games out left in his previous spell with us. Perhaps that was an appealing factor to DH? When Scannell finally come back (IF he comes back) then at least we have some width options.

Having taken time to reflect on our current position, both on and off the pitch, I guess if the primary targets simply weren’t there, then Butterfield and Clarke are on paper decent signings. Butterfield is 100% a good addition IMO.

 

He's an option till the summer where the club will take stock of the situation. Even if we stay up we won't be in a situation where we can afford the likes of Jack Payne and David Ball as well as funding the likes of Josh Wright and Joe Riley. If Clarke does well he might end up with a longer contract due to our financial constraints elsewhere. I can see a big clear out again in the summer just like last summer with the club taking a hit on certain contracts. Damage limitation for the next 18 months.

 

Clarke is being seen as old at 31, and people are expecting less of him for some reason. Nonsense, I'm sure you'll agree. Doyle himself turns 31 in March, so that variable is out when comparing the two.

I'm sure Billy can potentially outscore Doyle in terms of goals from open play.

Hes got 4, and looked anything but clinical.

I'm not sure who I think the better finisher is at this point. I would have assumed Doyle, but then we've a boatload of evidence to say otherwise.

We'll see who scores more.

 

Attitude is fine but it does not make up for quality. His injury and goal scoring record is poor and he is now in the prime of his career. I dont see how this is an "excellent addittion" at all to be honest.

 

apart from that 1 cruciate injury, how is his injury record poor?

and his goal scoring record, i would wager, is comparative to any other attacking midfielder in the league.


it's alright going on about his lack of goals blah blah blah, but he's not a bloody striker. no ones kicking off about lewis o briens lack of goals, or david balls lack of goals. Clarke gets a decent amount in a season for the position he plays.

 

The lack of a big target man isn't crucial if we play our pass and move football.Sometimes, depending on who your playing,having the option to play it high is useful to hold the ball up or head to a runner but for me one aspect we miss out on is set plays.Corners,free kicks to the sides of the box etc,there's no real threat from headers.If we bring up O'Connor or NKP we risk getting hit on the break and conceding.

It's an important option we don't have and I'm disappointed we missed out on bringing someone in.Must sort it in the summer imo.

 

Really you'd prefer that. Personally I would prefer if he couldnt grt the right quality in that position he went for better quality elsewhere and adapted tactics. Otherwise I could come in on the left wing

 

I'd prefer goals and ability if we were going to sign a forward.

 

Kai had enthusiasm

 

He's a better out ball than Doyle is and can hold the ball up, he's got more experience than both Ball and Payne and can use that late on in games if we're in a winning position (if). Payne doesn't seem to play 90 minutes, I think he'll be a straight replacement for him in games late on. He could play up top with Doyle too, for me he's a much better option than Miller is.

 

Ironically, Wyke would have been the ideal man.

 

I really liked Billy Clarke but we need an out and out striker...

 

He’ll fit right in then.

 

He could have scored in the first half against millwall and we might be in the championship by now

 

He'll have to push Reeves off first.

 

My only concern is his fitness, the quality is there and as someone earlier pointed out, he wants to be here. As for him being 31! That's no age these days. He has only initially been given a contract till the end of the season, (quite clever that) so let's see how it goes.
It doesn't matter if one man gets the goals or they are shared out, as long as we survive. We'd all like a big free scoring target man but even if there was one out there, could we afford the transfer fee and wages? Would he want to join a league one side in the bottom four?
We need to be realistic and remember where we are at the moment. We also need to trust David Hopkin's judgement.

 

At this rate, expecting Jimmy Hanson to be the final announcement!