Darrell Clarke - 10 Match Review

It's so bad. The most worrying thing about it all for me is that I can't even see what he's attempting to try and do. No idea what the style or idea is supposed to be.

As awful as it was under Collins, at least I had an idea as to what he was trying to do, albeit he did it badly. But at least I had some idea as to the style he was aiming for.

Under Clarke its non existent. Just aimless hoof ball. People complained about the direct style under Val, but at least there was some purpose to it and they pressed with aggression and purpose. We are so so so lacklustre it's unbelievable. Some of that is on the players, but the majority of the blame for that has to fall to the coaching staff.

 

Digging out players in interviews and chopping and changing system and personnel is the sort of thing I associate with a manager towing at the foot of the table after 30 odd games.

It’s such a weird season is this.

 

Can't afford to sack him. The money to pay up his contract went on the free pink Fruit Of The Loom t shirts handed out.

 

I've never managed a football team at any level (was briefly assistant for my son's under 9s, 20 years ago). I'll get my CV to the club before they sack Clarke, I think I'd have a chance....

 

Very fair assessment that for me. Clarke strikes me as the kind of gaffer who would have been top notch 10/15 years ago, when managers handed out the hairdryer treatment and paid out a few home truths. Nowadays, it’s different, especially with the young lads. I want to see more from Marc Roberts in terms of leadership, when he signed the club stated that he would add much needed leadership to a young squad but at times he’s seemed more lost than anybody.

I know CH was signed as more of a coach than a player, but for me we need to get him on the pitch for 3 or 4 games just to guide the lads in the middle abit more. The pure panic the second they touch the ball is bizarre, and it leads to miss placed passes etc. He needs to be out there, guiding them through the 90. Just for a few weeks.

 

I think he’s got no idea what he’s doing. No idea what formation to play. No idea what team to pick. No idea what style to play. No idea how to make effective substitutions.

Honestly don’t see what positive contribution he’s made. We’re so much worse than we were last season. I’d give him three more games to turn it around and if we fail to win any of them then he has to go.

 

On the subs point two of them combined for first equaliser on Tuesday.........

 

Not sure he would have made it 10/15 years since mate, you can blame players in any era but it is putting it right that matters, not sure Clarke will imo.

 

Considering some of the challenges he’s experienced outside of work in his personal life I would imagine he can be very objective about work challenges etc.

 

That’s my concern too pal, you can’t change the man overnight. He doesn’t strike me as someone who can galvanise a dressing room or boost morale. I get the impression he’ll walk in on Monday morning, hand out a few more slaps, few more fingers of blame and hope it’ll change.

The problem for me is, he’s admitted he hasn’t a clue what his best 11 is or how to play them. That’s on him, not the players. He can keep saying “no one’s grabbing a shirt and taking it” all he wants, he’s the head coach, sort it. Don’t go whinging to the press. I’m fed up of hearing it now.

 

Clarkey, clarkey I love you. You make me want to lob my knob off with a chainsaw before...I've had a screw.

 

Ive also thought the season looked like it was starting to get better, on a few occasions. Like when we beat Bristol, Crawley, and Burton for example.
And even now if we were to 'gain' another win on the teams above us, we'd be back in the top 4.
It bugged me though that some were over reacting and talking about promotion and us having the best squad etc, after just 4-5 games.
And it equally bugs me now as some are over reacting and wanting Clarke sacked after 9-10 games.
As I said on another thread, I hope this upcoming Intl break will be some important time off, for us all, from the League!.