How on earth...

[ElstreeBlue]

...did Peter Clarke come second in the player of the year award? I can only assume it was because Bailey got a few thousand votes and the rest of the players were each in single figures - ie second could have gone to anyone really.

I do not doubt his effort for the club. And he often makes last ditch tackles - but that's often because he's been caught out of position.

How many costly set pieces has he given away in dangerous positions this season - correct me if I'm wrong, but was today's free kick on the edge of the box yet another needless free kick from Clarke? Darryl had no chance from there with a well taken free kick over the wall.

How many times does he give away possession? Hoof, hoof, hoof. Even when he plays the ball on the ground, he must think the aim is to pass to the opposition. You can't afford to keep giving the ball away like he does - good teams will punish us.

And if you watch him closely, how many times does he go to sleep and lose his man (only sometimes to make a last ditch tackle and look good)?

I suspect I'm going to get shot down for this - it seems that quite a few people on here really rate him. Unfortunately, I can't see why. Not marking, giving the ball away and going to sleep do not deserve ratings of 7+ out of 10 in my book.

And how close was he to scoring an own goal in the second half?

Compare him with Mulgrew - utter class. Composure and time on the ball; rarely gives it away; passes incisive; reads the game well; defends properly.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

...did Peter Clarke come second in the player of the year award? I can only assume it was because Bailey got a few thousand votes and the rest of the players were each in single figures - ie second could have gone to anyone really.

I do not doubt his effort for the club. And he often makes last ditch tackles - but that's often because he's been caught out of position.

How many costly set pieces has he given away in dangerous positions this season - correct me if I'm wrong, but was today's free kick on the edge of the box yet another needless free kick from Clarke? Darryl had no chance from there with a well taken free kick over the wall.

How many times does he give away possession? Hoof, hoof, hoof. Even when he plays the ball on the ground, he must think the aim is to pass to the opposition. You can't afford to keep giving the ball away like he does - good teams will punish us.

And if you watch him closely, how many times does he go to sleep and lose his man (only sometimes to make a last ditch tackle and look good)?

I suspect I'm going to get shot down for this - it seems that quite a few people on here really rate him. Unfortunately, I can't see why. Not marking, giving the ball away and going to sleep do not deserve ratings of 7+ out of 10 in my book.

And how close was he to scoring an own goal in the second half?

Compare him with Mulgrew - utter class. Composure and time on the ball; rarely gives it away; passes incisive; reads the game well; defends properly.

Who would you of given 2nd place to then ?

 

[Flinty]

Must admit i was suprised..thought Macca would have been 2nd with Gower / Barrett there or there abouts

 

[stevie_G_G_G]

Francis would have been right up there if he had started the season in the team. He has been superb for the last 4 months IMO.

 

[ElstreeBlue]

Who would you of given 2nd place to then ?

MacCormack?

Barrett (a better defender and one who does not give the ball away like Clarke)

Barnard (for turning our season around - excellent scoring ratio and still unbeaten while he's been in the team)

But correct me if I'm wrong - did anyone vote for him to be in second place? Was he not the second most popular player of the season - ie some people actually thought he was BETTER than Bailey this season because they voted for him instead of Bailey?

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Francis would have been right up there if he had started the season in the team. He has been superb for the last 4 months IMO.

Surely you're having a laugh with that quote Stevie?? Yes, he has improved, certainly going forward, but as it showed today, his defending still leavs a hell of a lot to be desired, and no way should he have been anywhere near the top 3 of player of the season.

As for Peter Clarke, I would say he is most certainly a worthy runner up in the POTS rankings. Yes, he has made the odd mistake this season, but he is a top notch centre half and the amount of times he has got us out of trouble this season, mostly covering for AB's lack of ability at times, is countless.

Blackpool fans were devastated when he left, and I can see why. If we had a commanding centre half alongside Clarke, we would have possibly the best central defensive unit in this league.

If you're looking for the culprit who gives away countless set pieces in and around the box, then look no further than Mr Barrett. I absolutely love the guy and his wholehearted approach to the game, but at times, it is frightening how often he gets caught out of position, meaning a foul is commited or Clarke has to cover for him.

For what it's worth, my top 3 would have been Bailey, Clarke and McCormack.

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Compare him with Mulgrew - utter class. Composure and time on the ball; rarely gives it away; passes incisive; reads the game well; defends properly.

I missed this little gem... to quote Paul Clark during the Millwall game '....You may as well stick him up front, because he can't defend for toffee....'

Referring to Mulgrew.

I personally think he is a decent player, and going forward he is an asset, and most certainly, his set pieces are excellent. However, a proper defender? He is nothing of the sort!

 

[Welly7]

...did Peter Clarke come second in the player of the year award? I can only assume it was because Bailey got a few thousand votes and the rest of the players were each in single figures - ie second could have gone to anyone really.

I do not doubt his effort for the club. And he often makes last ditch tackles - but that's often because he's been caught out of position.

How many costly set pieces has he given away in dangerous positions this season - correct me if I'm wrong, but was today's free kick on the edge of the box yet another needless free kick from Clarke? Darryl had no chance from there with a well taken free kick over the wall.

How many times does he give away possession? Hoof, hoof, hoof. Even when he plays the ball on the ground, he must think the aim is to pass to the opposition. You can't afford to keep giving the ball away like he does - good teams will punish us.

And if you watch him closely, how many times does he go to sleep and lose his man (only sometimes to make a last ditch tackle and look good)?

I suspect I'm going to get shot down for this - it seems that quite a few people on here really rate him. Unfortunately, I can't see why. Not marking, giving the ball away and going to sleep do not deserve ratings of 7+ out of 10 in my book.

And how close was he to scoring an own goal in the second half?

Compare him with Mulgrew - utter class. Composure and time on the ball; rarely gives it away; passes incisive; reads the game well; defends properly.

Personally I think Clarke's had a better season than Barrett and deserves the runner up spot in the player of the year. He is dominant in the air, good in the tackle, has a will to win and defends as if his life depends on it. The one part of his game that lets him down is his marking at set-plays, but then you can say that about the rest of the team as well!

 

[ElstreeBlue]

I missed this little gem... to quote Paul Clark during the Millwall game '....You may as well stick him up front, because he can't defend for toffee....'

Referring to Mulgrew.

I personally think he is a decent player, and going forward he is an asset, and most certainly, his set pieces are excellent. However, a proper defender? He is nothing of the sort!

He's got better and better since he first came to the club. His debut (I think) where he completely fluffed it in the box and they scored was appalling. But he's settled down since those early days and looks every bit a potential future Premiership player. In my eyes, our best full back since Chris Powell. He's been instrumental in our defence looking much more solid during our unbeaten run that started immediately AFTER the Millwall game.

But it's open to you to disagree of course!

 

[ElstreeBlue]

Personally I think Clarke's had a better season than Barrett and deserves the runner up spot in the player of the year. He is dominant in the air, good in the tackle, has a will to win and defends as if his life depends on it. The one part of his game that lets him down is his marking at set-plays, but then you can say that about the rest of the team as well!

and what about his "passing"? He can't keep giving the ball away like he does. And his hoofing is not pretty to watch either!

 

[Welly7]

and what about his "passing"? He can't keep giving the ball away like he does. And his hoofing is not pretty to watch either!

If Peter Clarke could pass as well as he defends then he wouldn't be playing in league one with Southend!!!

 

[Richard_Cadette]

He's got better and better since he first came to the club. His debut (I think) where he completely fluffed it in the box and they scored was appalling. But he's settled down since those early days and looks every bit a potential future Premiership player. In my eyes, our best full back since Chris Powell. He's been instrumental in our defence looking much more solid during our unbeaten run that started immediately AFTER the Millwall game.

But it's open to you to disagree of course!

Totally agree that he has vastly improved since the Millwall game, and I think he does have potential to go a long way - My only doubt is, as I said, that he is still not what you would call a proper defender. I think Tilly is a fan of full backs who attack, which is all well and good, but the primary job is to defend - neither of ours are that great at it IMO.

Having said that, he is certainly the most encouraging player to play in that position for a while (maybe since Chris Powell is a bit extreme) and I do hope we sign him.

 

[Richard_Cadette]

If Peter Clarke could pass as well as he defends then he wouldn't be playing in league one with Southend!!!

Very good point! And I don't think his passing is as bad as people make out. In addition, has anyone seen a better turn, run and cross than what Clarkey did ay Orient which led to us scoring our opening goal? sublime!

 

[Flinty]

but look at it another way....players you can see playing at a higher and coping out of our team at the moment

Mulgrew
Bailey
Barnard
Robson Kanu ?

apart from that, the rest are average Div 1 / lower end Championship players in my opinion.

If we were to go up we need at least

Goalkeeper
Experienced centre half
Centre midfield (creative)
Experienced forward

We need to get shot of

Harrold
Wilson
Collis
maher
Foran

 

[Richard_Cadette]

but look at it another way....players you can see playing at a higher and coping out of our team at the moment

Mulgrew
Bailey
Barnard
Robson Kanu ?

apart from that, the rest are average Div 1 / lower end Championship players in my opinion.

If we were to go up we need at least

Goalkeeper
Experienced centre half
Centre midfield (creative)
Experienced forward

We need to get shot of

Harrold
Wilson
Collis
maher
Foran

How did Macca not cope at Championship level last season? Before we signed him, we were awful. It was only his arrival that kept our fate undecided for so long.

I also think Clarke was absolutely fine in the Championship last season. Problem was, Barrett was miles out of his depth, and we had full backs who were being skinned alive week in, week out.

Could Daryl cope in the Championship? Yes, very easily.

Bailey and Barney are unproven at a higher level, and certainly it is no given that they will cope - the same applies to Mulgrew.

 

[Flinty]

How did Macca not cope at Championship level last season? Before we signed him, we were awful. It was only his arrival that kept our fate undecided for so long.

I also think Clarke was absolutely fine in the Championship last season. Problem was, Barrett was miles out of his depth, and we had full backs who were being skinned alive week in, week out.

Could Daryl cope in the Championship? Yes, very easily.

Bailey and Barney are unproven at a higher level, and certainly it is no given that they will cope - the same applies to Mulgrew.

Just my opinion

Macca will be an average Championship player
Ditto clarke
Falvs as i said lower league championship
Bailey and Barney - to me have done enough to prove that they would be top players in the division above.

look at it another way players you would not want to leave next season for definate

Mulgrew
Bailey
Barnard
Gower

Macca?
Francis?
Clarke?

apart from that if we got money you wouldn't be too fussed

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Just my opinion

Macca will be an average Championship player
Ditto clarke
Falvs as i said lower league championship
Bailey and Barney - to me have done enough to prove that they would be top players in the division above.

look at it another way players you would not want to leave next season for definate

Mulgrew
Bailey
Barnard
Gower

Macca?
Francis?
Clarke?

apart from that if we got money you wouldn't be too fussed

You maye not be, but I most certainly would!!

Macca is the heartbeat of the team alongside Bailey. The two of them work very well together, and as was shown today against an extremely poor side, if one of them is missing, we just don't tick as a unit. As I said, he is PROVEN in the Championship already.

Ditto Peter Clarke. One of the best around in League One, and no doubt about it, he would be in the top 2/3 players in our current squad if we were to get promoted.

Francis?.... As some will remember, I have never been his biggest fan, and whilst he has shown improvement this season, the thought of him defending back in the Championship does send a bit of a chill running through the blood, but would certainly want to keep him.

Funnily enough, the one player who I fear may struggle in the Championship is Barney! He could go one of two ways for me, he may struggle big time, or he may be absolutelty outstanding - only time will tell I guess!

Let's hope we get the chance to make this kind of analysis next season!!

 

[Flinty]

You maye not be, but I most certainly would!!

Macca is the heartbeat of the team alongside Bailey. The two of them work very well together, and as was shown today against an extremely poor side, if one of them is missing, we just don't tick as a unit. As I said, he is PROVEN in the Championship already.

Ditto Peter Clarke. One of the best around in League One, and no doubt about it, he would be in the top 2/3 players in our current squad if we were to get promoted.

Francis?.... As some will remember, I have never been his biggest fan, and whilst he has shown improvement this season, the thought of him defending back in the Championship does send a bit of a chill running through the blood, but would certainly want to keep him.

Funnily enough, the one player who I fear may struggle in the Championship is Barney! He could go one of two ways for me, he may struggle big time, or he may be absolutelty outstanding - only time will tell I guess!

Let's hope we get the chance to make this kind of analysis next season!!

agreed, although i think Barney hs the gift of scoring...my only reasoning is if we dont go up i can see the following subject to bids from higher teams / not being here next season

mulgrew back to wolves
Bailey
Gower
Kanu back to Reading
Grant won't come back
barney


i honestly would like the above to stay to improve our team

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Just my opinion, but if we don't go up, I doubt any of the above will leave, aside from the loan players. Robson Kanu is a non starter for me. He is highly rated by Reading, and I am not sure if Tilly knows what his best position is - One thing is for sure, we only exploded into life when he went off to be replaced by Gower.

Grant won't come back, and his loan was a waste of time really.

Bailey has 2 years left on his contract, so doubt he will go anywhere.

Gower will be here for life!!

 

[Flinty]

Just my opinion, but if we don't go up, I doubt any of the above will leave, aside from the loan players. Robson Kanu is a non starter for me. He is highly rated by Reading, and I am not sure if Tilly knows what his best position is - One thing is for sure, we only exploded into life when he went off to be replaced by Gower.

Grant won't come back, and his loan was a waste of time really.

Bailey has 2 years left on his contract, so doubt he will go anywhere.

Gower will be here for life!!

not too sure i agree but as Cadette is one of my all time favourites i'll let you off ..;)