Clarks' comms on OS

[kram]

Very pleased with what I read. Yes, tonight was v v disappointing. Poor play all round. Though I though Pilks and Lucketti were magnificent.

Few comments on a few of the lads tonight: Thought Boothy did well when he came on even with the hoof-it balls that were getting lumped up. It was clear from the start Roberts and Pilks needed to switch wings as from where I sit (KB) it was obvious it wasn't working. Still finding it refreshing for the manager to see when things need changing and actually change it unlike recent managers.

Disappointed with Goodwin. Should never have reacted to their captain and, although I was as vexed as him at the time, on reflection it was a very petty reaction. Was surprised the ref didnt have a word when he smacked the Colchesters captains legs when he'd been brought down. Should know better than to pick up a yellow like he did.

Clark made the right decison to replace Goodwin (who I believe is now banned for totting up yellows?) with Craney. I rate him. Works hard. Plays simple balls and tracks back.

Williams had some shockers in the first half. Was sold at least three times by Colchesters runs at him on the edge of the box. For the first time in the last few months I was thinking it was back to the Williams of old. When he has confidence he's proved to be a decent left back and plays plenty of sensible balls.

Collins went missing again. Was very quiet but at least he was trying to chase down across the middle.

Fail to see how Ainsworth got such rave reviews playing for Hereford. Yet to see anything more than a glimpse of potential good winger. I hope he'll come good with time as he 's good running with the ball. He needs to make his pace count though as at the moment he loses it far to easily and cannot pass a player facing him.

Lucas was absolutely dredful again tonight. Looked lazy, knackered, couldn't win a ball in the air. I have absolutely no time for a player that doesn't try. He obviously has talent otherwise Moyes wouldn't had picked him up. Seen none of it in a town shirt though. He's a bottler like Jevons - the overpaid lazy fcukwit.

Season was over before tonight, though am sure others disagree. Shame we can't play a full 90 mins like we did the first 30 of the 2nd half. Usual Town story that we need a hell of a lead to pick up the points.

On a positive note am mega happy with the manager and his staff and I know we'll be challenging for automatic promotion next season. Just need two shit hot strikers and a new right back and centre half to push Butler and Nathan

UTT:Ddown the jack'n'coke

[SaleTerrier]

spot on

ainsworth was good against hartlepool, but apart from that he's not been too good

pilks is just a different class!

[Deleted]

Ainsworth also did well in the first half against Leeds before going off injured. Certainly not going to write him off just yet.


(Oh and great post Kram

[SaleTerrier]

yeah he was good against leeds actually

the great thing about him is he scares defenders, if he runs at them they keep backing away and backing away

[ACW]

Good post Kram.

People might be frustrated tonight as it was an incredibly frustrating match and result. That said, we have a manager who sees our weaknesses and acknowledges them (unlike many of our previous managers). He wants us to play a more attacking, passing style of football, but it will take time - especially as many of the players are not used to playing this way. I think its a bit of a culture shock for some of them.

This season is not the time to judge him - he's not had much time and in the main these are not his players. I suspect there will be a major clearout in the summer and all those players who do not adapt to Clark's methods will be on their way.

Its obvious to everyone that we desperately need striking options, but Clark has identified this and is looking to sort it out. I would expect finances to be made available in the summer to enable him to sign a proven goal scorer at this level. Boothy has been a great servant, but he's well past his prime, Parker just isn't good enough and although Jevons has a good record at previous clubs, its just not working out for him at Town. The jury is out on Lucas, we haven't seen Tehoue (or whatever his name is) and Cadders will never be a regular goal scorer as long as I have a hole in my backside (and he's more of a winger anyway).

Clark's two priorities for me are to sort the striking postions and to get his players to listen to his instructions. Its obvious from his actions during matches and comments after them that he doesn't want the team to sit deep and hit long hopeful balls, but he has to get the players to stop doing this. I, for one, have confidence that he will succeed, but probably not with some of the players currently on the books.

Tonight is frustrating and this season is proably a right-off, but the future is bright.