He said: “We’ve got good experienced players at this football club and the way they’ve pulled the young lads through this pre-season has been great. It has been the youngsters hardest pre-season to date and they’re there to use their experience and help the boys along and they did very well against Clevedon on Tuesday night so we’re pleased with the way pre-season has gone. Clevedon was a good test for the young lads, they’re a big physical side and they’ve got to get used to that part of the game and they adapted to it very well. Those sort of games bring on the young lads a lot and obviously with the experienced players we’ve got in the side they can help the young boys along. Can they play in front of 6,000 people on a consistent basis? They’re not going to do it straight away, but that’s what young players are, they’re a little bit inconsistent and we’re here to help them and improve them as players and give them bright futures.” He added: “With the injuries we’ve got, there’s no point in having an extra game when there is a chance of picking up more, especially when we’ve got a difficult test against Reading on Sunday. I think that extra game would take its toll on the squad. We’re disappointed with the injuries we’ve picked up in pre-season, but that’s always the case and it does give other players a chance to get a place. In football, opportunities don’t come around very often and I’m sure the one or two lads who do get that opportunity will grasp it with both hands.” On O'Toole's arrival: “The lads are pleased he’s back in and he did very well when he was on loan here last season. The Manager has been patient trying to get his main target for the summer activity and we’ve finally got our man, which is great news and a great boost for the club. He knows most of the boys and I’m sure he’ll fit straight in because he’s already had a decent pre- season at Colchester so his fitness levels are going to be up there. It’s just a case of bedding him in and we’ve got 10 days to do that before the big kick off.” On Reading: “It’ll be difficult, Nigel Adkins will have them playing good football and I think they’ll be there at the top of the Championship this year. It’s going to be another difficult test but playing against better players, two leagues above yourself, are the games you want to play in as a player so it will be the perfect game to prepare for the start of the new season. I’ve settled in really well and I’m enjoying it, it seems to have flown by already so now I’m looking forward to the real stuff next Saturday.” http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/d-clarke-on-new-season-943967.aspx
That's great. We can talk the talk.....Now what was the next bit..................??? I've a feeling I said this before somewhere!
Standard interview, only positive this season is we haven't changed the squad that much so at least the players haven't got to 'gel together' I'm fed up with that excuse because we've been using it since Trollope left.
well they cant use it this time. mildenhall, mcchrystal and o'toole all was with us last season and rejoined. no other new signings so we should be gelled enough
Can't fault his interview, though as everyone says it all counts for nowt until the first ball is kicked. Not the easiest of settling in situations for him, with Ward, Stewart, Kite, Yates, Naylor and Walsh all having distant or recent Gas connections; and many thinking the new assistant would too.
