Darrell Clarke's Interviews

I've read a few things on here, right since the start of the season, criticising the way Clarke speaks to the press. Tonight I'm seeing some comparisons to Keith Hill.

Obviously it might be a minority view, but of all the managers we've ever had, Clarke is the one where I most often watch his interviews and think "yep, you watched the same game as me." I genuinely can't think of anything I've heard him say and struggled to understand where he's coming from. And his openness gives you plenty of opportunity to disagree.

Some say it's a weakness to call out the players, but I only see him doing this where it's warranted, and he always points out where he and the coaching staff need to shoulder the burden.

I quite liked Hill's honesty too, but disliked his outsized opinion of himself. I don't see anything like that with Clarke.

For those that are unimpressed, what is it about Clarke's views that annoys you?

 

Similarities between Clarke and Hill , both bang average at this level and as much tactical awareness as General Custer . Clarke came with a reputation as a man manager , we were told teams would run through a brick wall for him and give everything on the pitch , scant evidence of any of those qualities

 

Do you see a lack of effort and application in this team? I don't think I do.

 

Me too. I really like him.

 

“It’s like walking a tightrope with two broken legs.”

He was golden.

 

Agree with this 100%. I've almost written the above 10 times this week. I've never previously known a manager, either managing us or the opposition, who I thought was even at the same game as me. It's usually total fantasy. But Clarke says it as I see it almost every game.

I don't agree with this. I can think of several occasions when he's criticised players but the primary fault has been his substitutions.

I also think the lack of respect he affords local journalists and the way he flies off the handle with them makes him look a proper dick at times. Really, really bad form.

But, on the whole, I think he speaks well. He's eloquent, pretty honest (very honest for a football manager), and if he'd just wind his neck in a bit (it's not always, just occasionally) he'd be right up there with the best.

Is he actually a good football manager? I dunno yet. But he speaks pretty well.

 

Keith Hill wasn’t with us at this level. He was our manager in the Championship.

 

We need to finally back a manager and let him have a few windows to mould the team, so why not Clarke ? For me he seems like a good un.

 

Agreed 100%

 

This is exactly how I see it.

 

I think that's harsh. I don't think I ever see a lack of effort from this group of players to be honest. They are an honest hard working set of lads They just lack that touch of quality. They are creating chances by the bucket full, but we literally have no-one with the quality to put them away.

 

If only we had an experienced goal scoring midfielder...........

 

I know

 

They are better than they are playing , Phillips , DKD , Russell, you saw effort and application today , I didn’t

 

He may give honest accounts in his interviews but he is now 27 games into his tenure.

Whatever is happening on the training pitch where he often says the players are working hard etc is not being relayed on to matchdays

 

He speaks well. Don’t have a problem with that.

I do have a problem with him persisting playing a front two including DKD, never ever making him accountable for poor performance and always starting games in exactly the same
Setup, despite being on a woeful run; only trying anything different when we are losing.

He speaks well, gives honest assessment. Calls himself a winner - seen nothing to back that up.

I like a plain speaker. The trouble is I’m not convinced he’s any good as a football manager.

 

If Jalo was injured today & Watters is definitely not fit, according to the presser, I don't see who you put up front. If fit Jalo should have been up front with Humph. No answers on that, but as Jalo wasn't on the bench, I'm guessing he's injured.

Think we played well today, but got caught out two times, that the gaffer called out & rightly.

That said we had a nailed on penalty not given & a heroic save off the line, to stop us getting anything out of that.

Could not argue with Phillips sending off, as it was a clear second yellow. Barry Cotter was lucky not to get sent to the sin bin too, for terrible discipline. Can see maybe why he has been sidelined.

Not sure, with the team we have, what alternative manager could do better TBH.

Just my reflections. Been DJing in Leeds city centre tonight. Just back reading threads that involve criticising a manager, whose hands are largely tied. If Roberts is out for any time, we are totally screwed.

 

Don't you get it yet, mate? Losing games = players not giving a toss. It's the norm these days. Just like when players not on form are 'downing tools' rather than, you know, just being a bit crap on current form.

 

The guy love the sound of his own voice, he can talk a donkey's back leg off about football and appears to give off a Clough vibe when addressing the media, but the lad is just not very good I'm afraid, his apparent stubbornness towards playing players before his favourites will and has bite him in the backside, his substitutions are baffling, he's lucky to have accumulated points on the road due to himself and his team feeling more comfortable away from Oakwell, otherwise he would have been shown the door by now, personally I don't think he has much time left at Oakwell and I for one wot miss him.

 

I totally agree with this we need something that's in short supply with both supporter's and the powers that be patience. I saw signs yesterday against a side that's spent 30m+ that gave me cause to be optimistic. The dof and Clarke have had one window the task in front of them was way too big to be sorted in that space of time. It's a hard sell to a club of our history/standing to say we need time at this level ,to admit it's unlikely we will push for promotion ( of course we always try for this ). I fully understand we made playoffs the last two seasons but in my opinion without significant investment and alot of luck with recruitment we would again have been whipping boys in the championship.