| Jack Clarke 09:00 - Apr 3 with 2662 views | Len_Brennan |
He's far from the finished article at Premier League level, but I've been enjoying Jack Clarke's appearances for us over the last couple of months, & really hope we hold on to him for a few years. He is defnitely a strong contender in the most improved player, over the course of the season, category.
To be fair to him, he had to come into a new side, in the PL, & play an unfamilar role, so he looked a bit lost early on & gave away possesson cheaply in poor areas too often, without ever really looking a threat for us.
But, he has matured very well I think, is far more competitive in challenges now, & even when he's not tackling, he is getting back to cover breaks, runs & passes with awareness & urgency.
Of course his main role is as a ball carrier, creating chances & taking his own opportunity to shoot; I think he has improved in all these areas too. He doesn't overplay the ball so much anymore, his decision making is better - that head in his hands moment after a loose pass across the back must have haunted him - plus his strength & shielding of the ball when challenged has all improved significantly too.
I'm waiting for him to crack in a top corner worldly against Wolves on Saturday. [Post edited 3 Apr 9:03]
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| Jack Clarke on 09:14 - Apr 3 with 2512 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
4 assists this season as I believe. Most in our team. Which is fairly impressive given his minutes |  |
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| Jack Clarke on 09:23 - Apr 3 with 2455 views | bsw72 |
It's what McKenna does - no coincidence that we see these players developing even when the team has been under huge pressure.
Too many are simply looking at the results, the league table and the poorer parts of performances but the team has improved, players have got better and we have competed in majority of games, but not consistently over 90 mins.
The difference in the Prem is that if you do not maintain consistent shape/concentration for the 90+ mins, you get punished quicker and more regularly.
Those 10-20 minute spells against the likes of Brentford, Bournemouth, Man City, Newcastle, Forest where we lose our concentration/shape and concede multiple goals is the difference - hardly ever happens in the lower leagues, the intensity is not there. |  | | |
| Jack Clarke on 09:58 - Apr 3 with 2249 views | Steve_M |
I did particularly like the one late on where he ran into challenge, knowing he was going to get fouled. Took a bit of pressure off. Probably should have got a shot away when he had the chance though.
But, he just looks much more confident of his own role now compared to earlier int he season. As you say, the reasons why are obvious but glad to see it too. |  |
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| Jack Clarke on 10:04 - Apr 3 with 2201 views | itfc48 |
I really like him as a player. Although nowhere near his level yet he's got a touch of Grealish about him with the way he carries the ball. Ideally, he'd be a bit bigger physically however he's a great player to watch. | | | |
| Jack Clarke on 10:32 - Apr 3 with 2062 views | ArnieM |
OP : I agree 100% with all you've written . It's nice to see the progress in these young players ... although it can be frustrating when their decision making isn't there and yet we are trying to compete at this higher level . But I don't blame them for the wrong decision, it just frustrates me at the time.But they will all have learned so much from this season. Its sucv a pity Delap wont be with us ( might he stay I wonder?) to continue his own development under McKenna and his coaching staff, because Id say he'd be a far better player for staying with us another season than chasing the big bucks at PL club only to sit on their bench for the most part. |  |
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| Jack Clarke on 13:35 - Apr 3 with 1644 views | urbanblue |
There was one moment when he charged into someone a la Delap. Found myself grinning ... |  | | |
| Jack Clarke on 19:13 - Apr 3 with 1236 views | AVJones |
| Jack Clarke on 09:23 - Apr 3 by bsw72 |
It's what McKenna does - no coincidence that we see these players developing even when the team has been under huge pressure.
Too many are simply looking at the results, the league table and the poorer parts of performances but the team has improved, players have got better and we have competed in majority of games, but not consistently over 90 mins.
The difference in the Prem is that if you do not maintain consistent shape/concentration for the 90+ mins, you get punished quicker and more regularly.
Those 10-20 minute spells against the likes of Brentford, Bournemouth, Man City, Newcastle, Forest where we lose our concentration/shape and concede multiple goals is the difference - hardly ever happens in the lower leagues, the intensity is not there. |
Sorry, I think you’re being far too generous.
I would argue that our fundamental problem is that the players haven’t got much better, or certainly not better to the degree required. We were in most games in the first half of the season, that’s not been the case in 2025 up until the Bournemouth game.
Rose tinted spectacles here after one good win
(I do agree that Clarke has improved though) [Post edited 3 Apr 19:17]
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| Jack Clarke on 19:26 - Apr 3 with 1173 views | MK1 |
| Jack Clarke on 19:13 - Apr 3 by AVJones |
Sorry, I think you’re being far too generous.
I would argue that our fundamental problem is that the players haven’t got much better, or certainly not better to the degree required. We were in most games in the first half of the season, that’s not been the case in 2025 up until the Bournemouth game.
Rose tinted spectacles here after one good win
(I do agree that Clarke has improved though) [Post edited 3 Apr 19:17]
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Only Liverpool, Man City, Newcastle and West Ham have really totally out played us this season. We have been in many games this year and but for a bit of bad luck or moment of madness, we would be a lot closer to Wolves. We lost 5 points to Man Utd, even though we were the better side in both games.
Crazy really to think that, it might be not getting what we deserved against Man Utd, that ultimately relegates us. |  |
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| Jack Clarke on 19:32 - Apr 3 with 1145 views | wrightsrightglove |
And this is why we shouldn’t write of Philogene / Greaves etc. Some players take longer than others to develop into their role in the team but McKenna has consistently improved players and we’ve got to believe he’ll do the same with these guys | | | |
| Jack Clarke on 21:00 - Apr 3 with 961 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Jack Clarke on 19:32 - Apr 3 by wrightsrightglove |
And this is why we shouldn’t write of Philogene / Greaves etc. Some players take longer than others to develop into their role in the team but McKenna has consistently improved players and we’ve got to believe he’ll do the same with these guys |
It just seems to have all come a bit too quickly for a lot of them. There’s some serious raw talent here that *may* see them turn into decent established PL players in the future. We need the now though, not the future. Injuries haven’t helped to be fair. I’m sure fit and firing versions of Szmodics and Chappers, and even Wes, would have helped. We saw it again yesterday - we do best when we’re on the same wavelength as a team. |  |
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| Jack Clarke on 21:27 - Apr 3 with 845 views | Nutkins_Return |
| Jack Clarke on 19:32 - Apr 3 by wrightsrightglove |
And this is why we shouldn’t write of Philogene / Greaves etc. Some players take longer than others to develop into their role in the team but McKenna has consistently improved players and we’ve got to believe he’ll do the same with these guys |
Why would anyone write of talented young players who have clearly shown glimpses of what they can. I don't think much annoys me more from fans (and it's not just ours of course it across the board). Clarke, Philogene (special player in there), Greaves (ditto - all the ingredients), Omari (less negative comments but still seen them) etc. had he not been with us last season I genuinely think he would have had the same as Philogene. Players develop at slightly different rates and these guys are all still young. I mean Salah and De Bruyne completely flopped at similar ages in their first premier moves.....say no more. (And no I'm not expecting them to achieve quite those heights!! Well....maybe haha). | |
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