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Keane Impressed With Clark
Keane Impressed With Clark
Saturday, 1st May 2010 08:24

Boss Roy Keane says he has been impressed with young midfielder Billy Clark since he has come into the first team picture in recent weeks. The 18-year-old has made two brief substitute appearances so far and could be amongst a number of academy products involved against Sheffield United tomorrow.

Keane said: “There’s a good chance these boys could be involved Sunday if they train well on Friday and Saturday. We’re not going to play Sunday’s game for the sake of it.

“They’ve done well in the reserves over the last few and even when Billy came on last week in a cameo role, he looked assured. He got involved for the second goal, a nice, quick pass and there are nice little signs for me that he can deal with it.

“But obviously whether you start him is another matter because Sheffield United are a big, strong team, although these players will have to learn to cope with that if they want to play in the Championship, it’s a physically tough league.”

Former Northgate High School pupil Clark was recently offered his first professional contract, along with all six of his second-year academy team-mates, the first time the club has taken on an entire year’s scholars.

Clark, Tom Eastman, Ronan Murray, David Cawley, Luke Hyam and Jamie Griffiths have been given one-year deals, while Seb Dunbar has until September to prove he is worth a longer stay at the club.


Photo: Action Images



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Mark added 11:27 - May 1
Is Clark predominantly an attacking central midfielder?
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Pique added 11:41 - May 1
Leaving aside all the arguments about Keane's successes and failures this season, I have to admit that I have been impressed by his attitude to our youngsters.

He doesn't hand out favours, but if they work hard, are committed and show the right attitude, they seem to get chances pretty early on in their careers. I can't help thinking that the likes of Wickham and Clark would have been waiting a lot longer for their debuts under Magilton, and would probably have been stuck in a long queue behind some pretty second-rate players.
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townblue added 11:52 - May 1
Didn't Magilton give Wickham his debut as a sub.
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Pique added 12:31 - May 1
Yes, I think you're right. D'oh! Was just trying to make the point that Keane seems more willing to place trust in younger players providing they meet him halfway, which I think is still valid.
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Surco72 added 12:43 - May 1
Pique apart from getting rid of Rhodes without seeing him play a proffessional game ? And getting rid of Clarke and Haynes both who have done better for their clubs than the players signed to replace them Edwards,Martin,Priskin .That sort of backing our youngsters do you mean ?
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Tillz9 added 15:24 - May 1
Surco - do you honestly think we should have kept haynes and Clarke ??

Agree that keane has done well regarding the younger players. It's nice to see players like wickham and o'connor starting games regularly now. Hopefully Clarke will be the next one to step up.
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WickedBlue added 15:42 - May 1
Keep the 1st Billy Clarke and Haynes? This is a joke a right? Some peoples sentimental attachment to players is hilarious......
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Mark added 17:43 - May 1
Haynes (22) has been a regular for Bristol City this season, scoring 7 goals. Edwards (31) who replaced him at an added cost of about £1m and much higher wages, he been in and out of the team, scoring 2 goals. I am not a great fan of Haynes, but those are the facts.

As for the first Billy Clarke (22), he has flopped at Blackpool and we were right to get rid.
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jas0999 added 19:23 - May 1
Deary me - keep B Clarke and D Haynes - that's a good one. Neither offered enough. Rhodes we will never know. But the option was Wickham OR Rhodes. Good decision Roy. Hopefully he can do as good a job brinking this other Clark through as he has with Wickham - played it perfectly.
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bennyblue added 00:07 - May 2
roy has to trust in the youngsters cause he blew all the bank on rubbish players that hes trying to loan out more proof that he hasnt got a clue at this level
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PablosRightBoot added 00:22 - May 2
Magilton gave Smith, Rhodes and Wickham debuts and wasnt afraid to play Pim quickly into his career either. Surely whether you play youngsters depends on how good they are. It is possible we have a better lot than in the last couple of years. I don't think either Magilton nor Keane were/are afraid of playing kids. Managers and players talk of our tradition about playing the youngsters and try to enforce that where and when possible.

I do like Keane saying that he would prefer the reserves to be all kids and not with first teamers who are not good enough in Keane's eyes. The enthusiasm and naiivity of youngsters is a great thing and supporters feel more affinity with one of their own.
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bennyblue added 07:05 - May 2
bit of a worry for the young lad cause keane was impressed with priskin and lee as well and look where that went
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