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Player Watch - Jack Clarke signed for Sunderland

BringBack_leGin

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
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joey55 said:
Every time I see him and very impressed. I can only assume the reason he saw so little game time last season was due to not being physically ready. He might be a slow burner and take several years to be effective, but technically he's got lots of quality and seems like an intelligent player. I can see star potential in him.

Athletic players often get into the 1st team at a young age and it's assumed they will continue to progress and become stars. But so often they are limited by a lack of technical ability and game intelligence. Lennon would be a good example of that. He was super fast and strong for a little guy. But his technique was never anything special and therefore his potential to improve on what he was as a 19 year old, wasn't that great. Someone like Marcus Edwards is the opposite. I see Jack as more in the Edwards camp. Not that he's a physical weakling, like Edwards, but that he simply doesn't have that electric pace, which allows many youngsters to get into the 1st team in their teens. Jack, even though he is quite fast, will have to use his brain a lot more and that takes time as senior football is so fast paced.

Playing as a wide attacking player, when you don't have lightening speed, is a hard ask in the modern game. You've really got to learn how to link play by cutting inside and how to create space for the fullbacks to overlap etc. I say "learn" but he'll obviously know how to do all that kind of stuff, as he's a really good technical player, but he's got to adapt to doing it in a game with super athletes, when you only get a spit second to react or see the bigger picture. Players with super speed don't have to see the bigger picture so much, as their pace gets them the space other players have to use their heads more to find.

I could actually see him potentially developing as number 10 also.
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Agree with everything you say. The word I’ve used about him since that match where he tore apart Derby after spy gate is ‘verve’. He has that undefinable aura about him that you got far more of in the 80s and 90s than now, when the balance of gifted players v athletic players was far more even than it is now. When I first saw him it was Waddle and Bale that came to mind, but now I see a fair bit of Nicky Barmby in him actually.
 
joey55

joey55

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2005
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I honestly think he's the best prospect we've had in while. He might not have the pure talent of Edwards, but given his physique, he's got a better chance of making it at the highest level. I just don't see an obvious weakness in his game, as I do with virtually every other youngster in recent years. Winks has always lack that killer attribute, be goals, a great final pass or ball winning. Onomah always could be a bit sloppy. CCV, looked a bit short for a CB. KWP seemed a bit light weight at times (though I still think he can make it.) I'm very bullish about Skipp, but can't pretend I wish he had a touch more pace and was a bit stronger, which he can still develop. But with Clark, I just don't see what his weakness is. He's a good size, he's not slow, he's intelligent, can dribble, he can pass, cross and his first touch is good. The only thing I've not seen from him is evidence he's a good in front of goal, which he'll need to be to succeed at the highest level. But I'm really optimistic about him.

 
RichieS

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
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joey55 said:
I honestly think he's the best prospect we've had in while. He might not have the pure talent of Edwards, but given his physique, he's got a better chance of making it at the highest level. I just don't see an obvious weakness in his game, as I do with virtually every other youngster in recent years. Winks has always lack that killer attribute, be goals, a great final pass or ball winning. Onomah always could be a bit sloppy. CCV, looked a bit short for a CB. KWP seemed a bit light weight at times (though I still think he can make it.) I'm very bullish about Skipp, but can't pretend I wish he had a touch more pace and was a bit stronger, which he can still develop. But with Clark, I just don't see what his weakness is. He's a good size, he's not slow, he's intelligent, can dribble, he can pass, cross and his first touch is good. The only thing I've not seen from him is evidence he's a good in front of goal, which he'll need to be to succeed at the highest level. But I'm really optimistic about him.

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How anyone got "Clarke looks miles off" from that is beyond me!

@BringBack_leGin - I can see the resemblance to Waddle (at least from what I can hazily remember - I only saw him playing for Wednesday) that you've mentioned before. It's something about the way he carries himself.
 
Jamturk

Jamturk

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Aug 13, 2008
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Needs games, Loan him out.

p.s With the clause of him being a regular starter.
 
tommo84

tommo84

Proud to be loud
Aug 15, 2005
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If Jose likes what he sees from him in pre-season at all then there’s no reason he can’t get 10-15 starts through being a regular starter in the Europa League and thereby establishing himself as another option for rotation/backup if (read as ‘when’) Bergwijn, Moura and Son pick up injuries.

We can’t underestimate just how much rotation will be needed this season with the congested schedule, and young talents who don’t count towards the squad limit(s) could be invaluable.
 
Spurs' Pipe Dreams

Spurs' Pipe Dreams

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Aug 14, 2011
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Thought he should some glimpses at the weekend, think he'll persuade Jose to give him some minutes throughout the season
 
EQP

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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He's featured prominently in the pre-season training pics and I expect he'll get the league cup games and maybe the EL games to show what he can bring to the team.
 
EQP

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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freeeki said:
www.football.london

Mourinho looking to develop Jack Clarke with mentors Gareth Bale and Harry Kane

The teenager has made a big impression this summer on Jose Mourinho and the coaching staff after a tough first season at Tottenham Hotspur
www.football.london www.football.london
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I like this approach from Jose.

- Clarke gets to train with the 1st team and watch the likes of Son, Kane, Bale prepare for games.
- Clarke will also get chances to feature in the EL thanks to the new rule that allows teams to name 12 subs and are allowed to use 5 subs per game
- Clarke will also get to play U23 games to maintain his sharpness
- Come January, as he would have hopefully had some appearances with some goals and assists to boot, look to secure a loan for him.
 
Last edited:
EQP

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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EQP

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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Looking very likely that he will be involved tomorrow against LASK. Seems to have fitted well with the rest of the team.

​
 
Montalbano

Montalbano

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Jan 29, 2018
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He's quick, that's for sure. Would have been amazing if he finished that chance.

I think he will find his rhythm playing alongside our forwards. He'll definitely get some serious playing time in the Europa League by the end the group stages.
 
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