Leon Clarke It was always a big stretch for Clarke to even come close to replicating what he did the previous season and you know what, he got nowhere near. He stated the season poorly missing chances in the opening games and then lost his place to McGoldrick. He was in and out of the team but the preferred front two seemed to be Sharp and McGoldrick who had taken his chance well and started to score but also link play and be better for the team. Clarke was not really making an impact even as a sub although finally scored in the game against Stoke and then played well up top with Sharp, with McGoldrick behind in the win against Wigan and made a goal for Sharp with a lovely ball. He went back to the bench but scored a lovely goal at Griffin Park to win it, after missing an easier chance and then a month later scored the clincher at home to Derby. This was his last goal for United (at least this season). He played against Barnet and came on against QPR and at Swansea but then as Hogan and Madine came in, was allowed to leave. A few Championship clubs were linked but he went to Wigan, where he once was on loan before.

He was an instant hit and scored in his first game and got another a few games after but then he ended up out of the team and the Wigan fans were not that impressed on the whole after a good start but then he got back in the team and scored a few more ***** goals and assisted in the win at Leeds which helped United. It seemed that player that ran around like crazy, pressing, harrying, but also holding it up and looking like a top, top striker, was back to the hit and miss (lazy at times) player he had been much of his career though much of this season.

Last season he was fantastic. He led the line, was a menace and times was unplayable. He was fast, strong, a willing runner and a goal threat. Villa supposedly wanted to pay quite a bit for him and on reflection we maybe should have took it but at the time we were in the top 6 and he was in the form of his life so if we had sold him everyone would have moaned so we were right to keep him. However, we kind of knew it might not last and so it proved. He started the season in languid form and could not find the net and eventually he was taken out of the team and then moved on. Even the motivator that Wilder is, probably realised he was never going to get that out of him again.

He has played for 21 different clubs (well a bit less as he has been at Wigan and Wolves twice) but that still tells a story. He showed some promise in his early days at Wolves and then scored goals at the lower level with Coventry, Bury and then with us, but that one season he has in the Championship was his pinnacle for me. We should be thankful Wilder got him playing out his skin and he gave us that one season to remember. He has never really replicated this season any time before and he has only scored 9 goals (including 5 this season) in 13 different Championship seasons before this. Yes, I could not believe it. Most of his goals have come at the lower level but even then, he has only managed 3 double figure scoring seasons with 15 at Bury/Coventry each and 11 at S****horpe. That one season was definitely an outlier.

He still has another season and doubt Wigan will sign him based on the fact he has not even started every game. He was made available for transfer but we may have to loan him out again to another Championship team. I would be surprised if he is part of things at the start of the season as expect us to make signings to compliment what we have and not sure he will ever replicate what he did in 17/18. Still, whatever happens he has been a big part of the turnaround and his form (like many others who were middle of the road players, Coutts, Duffy, Fleck etc) summed up how good Wilder is and what he has done to such nomadic players. To see McGoldrick face timing him and the players chanting his name was superb at the end celebrations at the end of the season! They clearly realised what a part of things he had been.

Grade C- (Last season B+)


Scott Hogan We were linked with him last summer but Bruce opted to keep him. It seemed he was on quite big wages also and was still getting back to fitness. The rumours never abated and we looked at him again in the August window but it never happened. He did not play much for Villa at all with only a few sub appearances. He had only scored 7 goals in 3 seasons, albeit not as many games due to injuries since his big money buy from Brentford. Villa brought in more strikers and he was further down the pecking order. Wilder kept an interest and eventually with Dean Smith taking charge, he was allowed to come to the Lane.

With Sharp, McGoldrick and also Hogan, you sensed he would not start many games. He had a few sub appearances but got his first game time against Reading and did ok linking with Madine and unlucky not to score. Certainly, a promising debut with movement, playing on the shoulder and a bit pf pace. After this, he was back on the bench but then started against Rotherham. He did not really affect things much in this game and then was really poor against Brentford when we needed more especially with 10 men and was taken off. He came on against Bristol City and did ok and scored his first goal. He then started at Hull and also against Ipswich and his movement was very good and he got into some good positions or created space for others. He scored a ***** goal in the last home game that set us on our way although missed a few too.

I am not sure I have seen enough to take him on. He still has another 2 years on his contract. I am not sure Villa would ask for a lot for him but paid decent money and would probably rather just send him out on loan and get loan fees than lose the investment they made.

His career total is 78 in 203 so around 1 in 3 which is not too bad but only had two biggish scoring seasons, one at Rochdale and one at Brentford and these both earned him big money moves. Still only 26 his career seemed to have been really stop start and needs a season of starting games. Not sure at United that will happen. He came in and provided some competition but not sure I have seen enough of him in terms of what he offers that he is a top end Championship striker let alone a Premier League one. He is ok, but we need better than ok in terms of movement, pace, link up, hold up and not sure he really suits out type of style either.

Grade C+ (Last season NA)