New Striker (2 Viewers)

[Mucca Mad Boys]

next week Clarke and Wood will be warming the bench.

Elliot and Cameron in.

Maybe even Ball up front with Elliott in a 4-4-2

Lets bring in a striker who hasn't scored a league goal yet for a striker who has 4 in 7!? Such logic.

Wood was better than Edj today, Edj doesn't aim his headers or passes, gave the ball cheaply too many times to keep track, Wood was solid, made some good tackles, but again, nether are great and think a new CB is needed desperately, said this for a long long time, I hope Cameron can step up, but I doubt that as he would've started at least once by now.

Clarke is probably our best striker which says something.

Next game I'd go with Elliott upfront on his own, see how that goes.

The problem is, we're changing the way CCFC play because of Leon Clarke, that is VERY frustrating.

If we miss out on the playoff because of our defence I will NOT be happy.

 

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[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

Your another Jonny come happy by the looks, where were you a year ago on the forum ?

A rolling stone gathers no soup?

 

[Steve.B50]

Before the end of this season Clarke will get a hatrick in a game.
Someone will take a drubbing from us as in one game a handful of our chances will go in.

 

[Flying Fokker]

next week Clarke and Wood will be warming the bench.

Elliot and Cameron in.

Maybe even Ball up front with Elliott in a 4-4-2

Ball; a rotund fellow isn't he? Needs to get down the gym and shed a stone or two.
He never seems to make much of a contribution, although in fairness he comes on as sub with 20 mins to go.

 

[SkyBlueSwiss]

You're right. He only has 16 goals this season. He'll only probably get 20 goals in total and that of course is simply not acceptable.

But he hasn't scored those 16 goals playing for us, has he Otis?
He has scored only 3 scrappy tap-in goals in 9 games since signing a two and a half year contract. He prabably gets better service and more chances per game than any other striker in this league, and he is averaging a third of a goal per game.
I am beginning to see just why we are his 14th club already and why he was not popular with fans of other clubs.
Just my opinion, but I do not think he is good enough or wants it enough.

 

[covboy9]

But he hasn't scored those 16 goals playing for us, has he Otis?
He has scored only 3 scrappy tap-in goals in 9 games since signing a two and a half year contract. He prabably gets better service and more chances per game than any other striker in this league, and he is averaging a third of a goal per game.
I am beginning to see just why we are his 14th club already and why he was not popular with fans of other clubs.
Just my opinion, but I do not think he is good enough or wants it enough.

spot on man

 

[Regis87]

Why are people saying play Elliott instead of Clarke ? If you play 1 up front it has to be a target man who can hold the ball , lay it off a nd flick headers on . This is not Elliott ( probably not Clarke either but he definitely is our best option if we play 1 up front )
Elliott needs to play with Clarke and have 2 up front but our 4 midfielders need to perform to make this system work not to mention our piss poor defending

 

[Dan Griffin]

Why are people saying play Elliott instead of Clarke ? If you play 1 up front it has to be a target man who can hold the ball , lay it off a nd flick headers on . This is not Elliott ( probably not Clarke either but he definitely is our best option if we play 1 up front )
Elliott needs to play with Clarke and have 2 up front but our 4 midfielders need to perform to make this system work not to mention our piss poor defending

Elliott can hold it up, spray a pass out (equaliser pass out to Moussa v Preston jpt) (goal against Oldham) and he can also track down defenders (winner v mk dons)

He might not score many but he has a class footballing brain with his runs behind defenders (brum in cup for codys goal)

I also think it was Stephen Elliott who passed it out to baker against Sheff utd for Leon's first goal?

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Why are people saying play Elliott instead of Clarke ? If you play 1 up front it has to be a target man who can hold the ball , lay it off a nd flick headers on . This is not Elliott ( probably not Clarke either but he definitely is our best option if we play 1 up front )
Elliott needs to play with Clarke and have 2 up front but our 4 midfielders need to perform to make this system work not to mention our piss poor defending

You don't have to be a 6 foot 2 target man to play up front by your self

 

[hutch1972]

Clarke might be a finisher but he is not finishing and sometimes looks finished. He is not up to the mark and all goals he has scored have been laid on a plate for him.
I'm worried that the whole team is modelled around him when he lacks so much. He's looks lazy, he's behind the play and doesn't look sharp.
I know Robins will be into this !

Yep, lazy player, even yesterday when he went down the line beat the full back got to the bye line and !! guess what, not a sky blue shirt inside the area.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Elliott can hold it up, spray a pass out (equaliser pass out to Moussa v Preston jpt) (goal against Oldham) and he can also track down defenders (winner v mk dons)

He might not score many but he has a class footballing brain with his runs behind defenders (brum in cup for codys goal)

I also think it was Stephen Elliott who passed it out to baker against Sheff utd for Leon's first goal?

Elliott got the assist for Clarkes first at Sheffield, it was Elliott's cross

 

[RoboCCFC90]

I don't disagree that we could do with a reinforcement in the attacking department but I am not quite sure Leon Clarke was all too blame for the poor result, once Stephen Elliot came on he looked like he could do more damage but so many players decided not to turn up!

 

[Otis]

But he hasn't scored those 16 goals playing for us, has he Otis?
He has scored only 3 scrappy tap-in goals in 9 games since signing a two and a half year contract. He prabably gets better service and more chances per game than any other striker in this league, and he is averaging a third of a goal per game.
I am beginning to see just why we are his 14th club already and why he was not popular with fans of other clubs.
Just my opinion, but I do not think he is good enough or wants it enough.

Ahh yes, scrappy tap-ins. I forgot that they don't count. :facepalm:

He has 5 goals for us. The goal against Preston away and one against Sheff Utd away were anything but tap-ins.

Why are you focusing on only 3 scrappy tap-ins anyway? A goal is a goal.

The bloke will get 20 goals this season. He has 14 games to score 4 goals to achieve this, which he surely will do.

If you think a bloke who gets 20 goals a season isn't good enough then I'm sorry but I despair.

 

[Dan Griffin]

Elliott got the assist for Clarkes first at Sheffield, it was Elliott's cross

Even better then shows he can cross too +1

 

[SkyBlueSwiss]

Ahh yes, scrappy tap-ins. I forgot that they don't count. :facepalm:

He has 5 goals for us. The goal against Preston away and one against Sheff Utd away were anything but tap-ins.

Why are you focusing on only 3 scrappy tap-ins anyway? A goal is a goal.

The bloke will get 20 goals this season. He has 14 games to score 4 goals to achieve this, which he surely will do.

If you think a bloke who gets 20 goals a season isn't good enough then I'm sorry but I despair.

Of course scrappy goals count - of course a goal is a goal, and I would have taken silly own goals from the opposition if it meant we could gain a point or three, but you are deliberately ignoring what I am saying.
HE IS NOT SCORING AT THAT RATE FOR COVENTRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many times do I have to say this? It just does not matter what he did elswhere when he is not doing it for us. Since signing, he has scored just three goals in 9 games, he has looked lazy and flat-footed and he does not provide the work ethic and footballing brain that McG gave us. On top of that, he is getting more chances per game than any other striker in this league, and he is still not able to score!
I therefore do not rate him as a good enough striker. I genuinely am not on an anti-
clark rampage here and I have nothing against the guy other than I just do not think he is doing the job for us. The fact he scored for other teams is utterly meaningless; what is he doing for US?

 

[deanocity3]

how about leroy lita or danny nardiello(local lad)

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Lita recently signed for Sheffield Wednesday

 

[Ashdown1]

I think you are missing the point Otis. I'm sure everyone is desperate for him to succeed as in truth we are not blessed with decent strikers now. More crucial is the fact that he just cannot play the role our manager wants him to and in that we have to change our whole set up, making us vulnerable and meaning we leave out one of our better midfielders. Personally I wouldn't say it is just work rate either, I don't think he has the intelligence and confidence to know when to come for the ball or take the pass over the top so he constantly appears in limbo if you watch him carefully. So far he has fed off scraps and done okay at that but that's not enough for a team and fans that have got used to scoring quality goals from all areas of the pitch because of a successful format that has got them to the cusp of the play offs. In Robins I trust and he has all but stated what he thinks in post match interviews.

 

[Grendel]

I think you are missing the point Otis. I'm sure everyone is desperate for him to succeed as in truth we are not blessed with decent strikers now. More crucial is the fact that he just cannot play the role our manager wants him to and in that we have to change our whole set up, making us vulnerable and meaning we leave out one of our better midfielders. Personally I wouldn't say it is just work rate either, I don't think he has the intelligence and confidence to know when to come for the ball or take the pass over the top so he constantly appears in limbo if you watch him carefully. So far he has fed off scraps and done okay at that but that's not enough for a team and fans that have got used to scoring quality goals from all areas of the pitch because of a successful format that has got them to the cusp of the play offs. In Robins I trust and he has all but stated what he thinks in post match interviews.

A player who has scored 35 goals in 50 league games cannot have all the failings you have outlined.

There are no such thing as quality goals - just goals.

What irks me is that this guy is written off after 5 games and 4 goals yet some people still think McDonald hasn't been given a chance.

His body language is languid. If he snarled and chased every ball he could never win some fans would be won over. Leon Best was a quality footballer - most of our "knowledgable" fans derided him as he was not a headless chicken.

 

[Ashdown1]

I agree with you over McDonald, he wasn't working either although I am amazed at his sudden regaining of fitness as I was led to believe he was forever carrying around shin splint problems while at City, However that doesn't mean Clarke is the long term answer. He will score more goals though as we create so much in and around the six yard area but we need more than that from a player to truly succeed. For what its worth I think Best was a much better player as well. The real worrying thing is the amount of clubs Clarke's had. My prediction is he will fall out with Robins sometime soon and we will be stuck with him for 2 1/2 years !

 

[SkyBlueSwiss]

It's not 5 games and 4 goals, it is 11 games and 5 goals in total, and only 3 goals in the last 9 games since signing

 

[Grendel]

It's not 5 games and 4 goals, it is 11 games and 5 goals in total, and only 3 goals in the last 9 games since signing

No it isn't. You're wrong.

 

[Ashdown1]

He's actually scored 5 in 10 appearances I believe which on the face of it is pretty good. City have also lost 5 of those 10 games in the same period and not played that well in others !!

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Yes we have missed some sitters but teams are getting through our midfield and defence too easily as well.

Robins has always liked the loan market and I reckon yesterday was enough for him to draft a couple of new players in.

 

[Otis]

Clarke has 5 goals in 11 games.

That is a brilliant ratio. Almost bang on one every two games. Almost impossible to argue against that strike rate.

Clarke is NOT DMC and we simply have to get over that. Two completely different players and styles.

 

[TrueSkyBlueLiam]

This is hilarious. McDonald has appeared in 60 games at this level or above and scored 10 times. Clark has already scored 4 for the club in 6 games.

Next you'll be saying Dunn is a better keeper than Murphy. Oh hold on....,

Is it a crime to give someone a chance? No. He's got his fitness, he's in form and i know its a differant level, but we need more strike force and Leons just not doing it for me. And please dont mention the Dunn thing hahaha. Already apologised for that

 

[Grendel]

Clarke has 5 goals in 11 games.

That is a brilliant ratio. Almost bang on one every two games. Almost impossible to argue against that strike rate.

Clarke is NOT DMC and we simply have to get over that. Two completely different players and styles.

My whole point refers to league games. Clarke has started 6 league games and scored 4 goals. That is the comparison to make.

 

[Ashdown1]

Its the future that counts, the next 5 games will make or break our season now. A win yesterday would have put us 6 off top !! As Robins said, lets not f*ck it up now................

 

[SkyBlueBlood]

It is obvious that Leon is good in the 6 yard box which is where he gets his goals, but controls a ball further than most people can shoot, is not as strong in the challenge as he should be with his physique and his goals to chances ratio is poor despite this seasons scoring record.

 

[Benkilby1]

David mcgoldrick he scores when he wants. Just saying

 

[Grendel]

David mcgoldrick he scores when he wants. Just saying

Why did he never want to at forest or Ipswich?

 

[dongonzalos]

Personally I don't care if Leon decides to use the centre of our pitch for 85 minutes as an opportunity to have a Turkish mud bath. Then in the other 5 minutes he scores a goal. Fair play to him.

His style will mean he will get his critics. This will intensify when he does not score.

I think people thought he was going to play on his own be a big strong target man and batter defensives.

I don't think it works with him on his own he is not that type of player. I think he needs a partner in crime. A poacher someone who will distract hassle and hurry defenders.

Stats can always be manipulated Leon has scored 71 times in 277 games a career of 1 in every 4 games

Cody 103 in 218 games. Nearly 1 in every two for his career.

Stats can say what ever you want. Most of Leon's games would have been against harder defensives.

Personally we need to see them both together I think they would compliment each other perfectly. Very disappointed that this has not happened.

 

[Grendel]

Personally I don't care if Leon decides to use the centre of our pitch for 85 minutes as an opportunity to have a Turkish mud bath. Then in the other 5 minutes he scores a goal. Fair play to him.

His style will mean he will get his critics. This will intensify when he does not score.

I think people thought he was going to play on his own be a big strong target man and batter defensives.

I don't think it works with him on his own he is not that type of player. I think he needs a partner in crime. A poacher someone who will distract hassle and hurry defenders.

Stats can always be manipulated Leon has scored 71 times in 277 games a career of 1 in every 4 games

Cody 103 in 218 games. Nearly 1 in every two for his career.

Stats can say what ever you want. Most of Leon's games would have been against harder defensives.

Personally we need to see them both together I think they would compliment each other perfectly. Very disappointed that this has not happened.

Sorry Don but those stats are rubbish. Clark has scored one goal in every 1.5 games in this league. McDonald has scored 10 goals in 59 games above League Two. You really are scraping the barrel if you start to include his non league days.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Cody 103 in 218 games. Nearly 1 in every two for his career.

tbf nearly half of them goals were at Sunday league pub level

 

[rupert_bear]

Blame Leon Clarke if you want but had Fisher and Waggott tried we could have kept McGoldrick until the summer just needed to tweek his wages and he would have stayed until the end of the season thats a fact. Yet again our owners have shafted the team and it's supporters.