Is Clarke a poor manager?

What's your evidence that his man management is poor?

 

I still don't see anybody else doing well at this club, when the owners seemingly don't back the manager/coach in the transfer windows.
And while Clarke himself also has to take some blame, I think this season is going to end up as a disappointing case of missed potential.

 

An up and down season the manager seems calm and understanding of young players, Much resilience displayed against physical teams in Rotherham and Northampton , The players are enjoying playing for the club ,

 

I was gutted when Cadden left, yes he didn't have much pace, but he had a lovely cross on him, especially his first season. Instead of looking at assists, should look at chances created, because he put some fantastic balls in. But people didn't seem really bothered he left and I never really understood why, wasn't much a chance of getting a better quality left back in this league than Cadden - certainly wish we had him now! Same with Collins actually, a lot of people didn't rate him and prefered Isted. I think Collins did himself a disservice because he was so good at being a sweeper keeper that he denied the opposition a chance before they could take it - hence why his stats were skewered - I remember people saying he's conceding a lot of goals from low shots on target in a period of about 6 weeks - however, failed to mention the reason was because the only shots opposition were having on target were penalties!

 

As much as the recruitment is an excuse, Clarke has let the players down. He deserves a chance to rectify it but there’s no doubt we’ve gone backwards since last season. Top players at this level for us don’t look as good as they have done in previous years (Phillips, Connell) and others who have come in who we know are good haven’t performed consistently.

Some of the recruitment has let him down though. The left backs at the club are solid but probably our weakest area and the striking situation is a joke. I think if Clarke was to leave any time soon, Sormaz goes with him.

 

Well, it doesn't take long after a defeat, especially at home that he blames the players, or at least some players, speaking to the press.
It's been seen and heard more than a few times.

 

Ultimately I think he'll leave us having achieved nothing unfortunately. Difficult to say what the reasons will be, probably a mix of him, the squad and the people running the club being bang average.

 

I can honestly say I still ain’t sure if he’s good or not. I always said review at the end of season. If he gets us in playoffs then he must definitely be good considering shocking recruitment he’s had to deal with. However if he doesn’t and it is doubtful we will at this stage then a big decision needs to be made. Unfortunately the man above him(Sormaz) will probably manipulate the situation and sack him to save his own neck. Sormaz is the one who should go and that’s whether we make playoffs or not. Total incompetence on his part during the transfer windows over last year(DKD apart, although he was probably on radar anyway).

 

I think there are okay lucky managers, okay unlucky managers and terrible managers.

You hear about the terrible managers on these podcasts. Freezing players out. No interest in training. Impossible to talk to. I hope Clarke doesn't fit that bill.

Then you have everyone else. It comes down to circumstance more than anything. Danny Wilson, takes Barnsley to the Premier League. Great manager. Doesn't do anything of note second time around. Poor manager. Logical conclusion. But no, the same manager, different circumstances.

 

I would say the difference between first and second half performances, what happens at half time to change the attitude of the players?

 

I’d say yes after throwing players under the bus and his awful game management and substitutions

 

What do you think think the difference is? For example, do you think we've scored more goals in the first half of games or the second?

 

I think we look nervous and disjointed after half time in a lot of games. I think we concede more goals in the second half.

 

Last season?

 

I'd give him until October at least, with another transfer window.
I'd offer him the help of an experienced older manager to help guide him if wanted.
It's the recruitment side of the club I'm concerned about. Get rid of the analytical sporting director and revert to goid old fashioned scouting.

 

We'll not be getting an experienced older manager to guide him, that's what our data analyst Sporting Director is doing.

 

It's a good call but I think this year is even worse.

 

You often see average teams perform above average due to the sheer willpower of the Manager. Dont realistically believe that Clarke has that drive or has the players heart and soul to achieve that drive. Commenting on players post match won't instill it either.

 

Somaz should go, seen others say this too but based on what? The players who have come in only/no striker I am presuming?

None of us know if he is doing a good job or not as we don’t know what his brief is or the tools he has to do the job.

 

I don't envy the hand he's been dealt in terms of the squad. That being said, his tactics are sometimes baffling and his subs (at times - considering the dross he has had at his disposal) have been odd on occasion.

I'd give him a 5.5/10

Give him the Summer and BACK HIM. Then, and only then will we be able to fairly judge the guy and his football.