Agreed. Soeakman is better the less you hear from him. I've neever been fond of the type of corporate cliche speak he trots out.
He played for them for a short while, used to drink down CLS at the time and was a complete prick, up his own arse. Obviously only a young'un at the time so not saying he's still like that.
I've been very impressed with Clarke in the 2 short snippets I've seen. He looks streets ahead of Gooch and Dajaku right now. I'd be getting him and Roberts in team on Tuesday FWIW I'd go: Hoffmann Hume Bathh Doyle Cirkin Matete Evans (c) Roberts Pritchard Clarke Stewart Subs: Patterson, Xhemajli, Winchester. Neil, Embleton, Dajaku, Defoe If Wright is even close to fit then I'd get him in ahead of Bathh or Doyle (I can't decide who needs hooking the most)
I make that 5 players who could play first team in the championship and the rest would be squad players or returned to their clubs. Time needed to judge Roberts and Matete. I know I'm going off-topic but big overhaul required if we want to compete in the league above, if we get there.
Clarke and Roberts have played in the Championship and I'm confident Hoffmann could (with a settled back 4 in front of him and a bit f leadership on and off the pitch) Cirkin is having a rough spell but the constant tinkering in formations isn't helping him. He was all on his own on the left yesterday, expected to do all the attacking and cover 2 players when defending
I'm not getting the Hoffman grief, I've just watch the highlights back and he had little chance with the goals (maybe could have done better with the first) and made two really good saves. He's getting no protection at all in front of him either.
He was awful for the first and was generally shaky in possession and was stuck to his line. I think that is a confidence thing and again, the constant chopping and changing of formation/tactics/personnel is helping no-one
Clarke is on loan, mate. He'll be going back to Spurs. Roberts has played in the championship but that was then and this is now. Some people say he's lost his way a bit. Obviously if he gets back to his best he'll be a shoe-in but that's not guaranteed. I think Hoffman has bags of potential but he's very raw and looks like he has mistakes in him. Age is on his side and in a few years he'll probably develop into a very good goalkeeper but he's not there yet, for me.
Roberts literally played in the championship last season before a failed loan in France for 6 months. I wouldn't necessarily call that "losing his way"
The thing is I don't think Patterson will be much different, he appears to be more of a shot-stopper as well rather than command his area, I think we saw that at Wycombe. They're both young lads who need help in front of them rather than the abomination of a defence they've been stuck behind.
ITV just wrapped up with Pougatch asking Keane if he’s got a busy week ahead of him. They all laughed and Keane smirked his “no comment” again
