Matt Clarke

[Leicesterbaggie]

Clarke is a great defender but if I had only wages to spend, I wouldn’t be targeting centre backs either. O’Shea and Ajayi are good at this level and deserve a run of games between them.

We’ve done superb business with the three signings but need another three…attacking mid to compete with Swift, a striker and right back.

I don't see why the centre of defence isn't a problem. We've only got Bartley in reserve if there are any injuries as Keen Bryan isn't yet fit. I think that's pretty thin. We do have right back cover in TGH, his preferred position.

[baggieal]

I don't see why the centre of defence isn't a problem. We've only got Bartley in reserve if there are any injuries as Keen Bryan isn't yet fit. I think that's pretty thin. We do have right back cover in TGH, his preferred position.

Personally, I rate Clarke higher than Ajayi and 2.5 million was a bargain. Boro are not stupid otherwise they may have preferred Livermore and Bartley over Clarke and Mowatt!

We are what we are - a cheap skate club with rot at the top!

[Albionic68]

Not claiming to be ITK and cannot vouch for the info as it was second hand. I was told we'd made an enquiry re Clarke's availability some time ago and he expressed zero interest in coming back. If so he was a none starter from the off. The same person told me we'd dropped our interest in Grabban when he gave us his figures.

[Leicesterbaggie]

If what you say is correct '68, it doesn't auger well for us. Clarke has been with us for a season and if true, he obviously doesn't like what he's seen. Grabban is a different case but still doesn't bode well for us if we're not prepared to pay up.

[Yarmbaggie]

If what you say is correct '68, it doesn't auger well for us. Clarke has been with us for a season and if true, he obviously doesn't like what he's seen. Grabban is a different case but still doesn't bode well for us if we're not prepared to pay up.

I take a different view with Clarke. After a year with us I would have thought he has seen plenty enough to say this club is not for me.

As I said on an earlier thread I wonder if Swift and Wallace are sitting at home wondering if they made the right moves as well.

It gives me no pleasure to say it but we are looking more and more like an average Championship club from top to bottom.

[boingy]

Clarke is a great buy for boro. Wish we had him but he wasn’t free with an injury record so he didn’t fit our remit.

[Leicesterbaggie]

I take a different view with Clarke. After a year with us I would have thought he has seen plenty enough to say this club is not for me.

As I said on an earlier thread I wonder if Swift and Wallace are sitting at home wondering if they made the right moves as well.

It gives me no pleasure to say it but we are looking more and more like an average Championship club from top to bottom.

That's what I'm saying Yarm, he obviously doesn't like what he's seen!

[baggieal]

I take a different view with Clarke. After a year with us I would have thought he has seen plenty enough to say this club is not for me.

As I said on an earlier thread I wonder if Swift and Wallace are sitting at home wondering if they made the right moves as well.

It gives me no pleasure to say it but we are looking more and more like an average Championship club from top to bottom.

Some players are average but many like Reach, Bartley, Livermore, Phillips and Zohore are league 1. The foundations and management of the club are non league!

[baggiematt]

I don't see why the centre of defence isn't a problem. We've only got Bartley in reserve if there are any injuries as Keen Bryan isn't yet fit. I think that's pretty thin. We do have right back cover in TGH, his preferred position.

Bryan will be back at some point and in the unlikely eventuality of losing two centre halves we have makeshift defenders until he is fit. We signed Livermore playing centre back at Hull, playing well under Bruce.

Bartley and Ajayi got us promoted a few years back. O’Shea is better than Bartley was then, so improving the right back spot should surely leave us equipped…is my thinking anyway.

TGH is more suited to centre mid IMO; another position we aren’t flush in.

[Albionic68]

Bryan will be back at some point and in the unlikely eventuality of losing two centre halves we have makeshift defenders until he is fit. We signed Livermore playing centre back at Hull, playing well under Bruce.

Bartley and Ajayi got us promoted a few years back. O’Shea is better than Bartley was then, so improving the right back spot should surely leave us equipped…is my thinking anyway.

TGH is more suited to centre mid IMO; another position we aren’t flush in.

A few quick points. I haven't checked but I believe Livermore was part of a back three at Hull. He did well for us in a back three v Reading last season but we don't play with a back three currently.

Bartley and Ajayi didn't get us promoted last time. Pereira did and he wasn't playing centre half. Between them Bartley, Ajayi and Johnstone very nearly blew our automatic chances with some ridiculous mistakes that season.

One final note. TGH is arguably the closest thing we have to a wing back in our first team squad. He's not really an out and out full back yet he's played more games for us wide at all levels than he has centrally. Again though, we don't play with wing backs.