https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...owbray-jack-clarke-challenge-patrick-roberts/ By Dominic Shaw JACK Clarke is the Championship's top scorer and star man but Tony Mowbray believes he has another player just as talented as the former Leeds and Tottenham winger - fellow wideman Patrick Roberts…. "I love Patrick Roberts and I almost want him and Jack to compete," said Mowbray. "I'm saying to Patrick, why can't you be scoring and assisting as many? "Jack takes penalties, of course, but I want to see Patrick sticking it in the back of the net as well. I couldn't sit here and say Jack is more talented than Patrick. He needs to be getting into the box and scoring more, being more selfish with his finishing and hopefully we keep those goals coming from both sides of the pitch. And then when the centre forwards catch fire, we can get towards that 70 goals that we're going to need to have a successful season." Clarke scored 11 goals last season, a fine return for a winger, but is well on course to steam past that tally this term. His goal against the Canaries last time out was his ninth in what has been a hugely impressive start to the campaign. And Mowbray doesn't see any reason why Clarke can't continue in his current form. "If we can keep playing like we are at the moment... really positive and on the front foot, having a lot of attacking moments in games, I think Jack will keep scoring," he said. "What you'd also say about him is that he is absolutely devastating when we're having to defend and he can break away, because he has a huge aerobic capacity to keep running. He was playing wing back before I got here because he can run all day and he can run fast all day, which is a huge attribute for any footballer. "I don't see him falling away, I think he'll keep scoring and hurting teams. He is mixing his game up a lot more these days, going down the outside as well as cutting in, and cutting the ball back on his left foot." Such dazzling displays will inevitably attract interest from above. Clarke was a wanted man in the summer but Sunderland managed to keep hold of the 22-year-old, turning down multiple bids from Burnley. More offers from the Premier League are likely to be tabled in January and Mowbray hopes Sunderland do everything in their power to keep the winger on Wearside. He said: "He has to stay positive, I hope he's enjoying his football and hopefully the club does everything they can to keep him here and have a successful season."
Sunderland: Jack Clarke urged to study Thierry Henry Arsenal clips 5 hrs ago https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...arke-urged-study-thierry-henry-arsenal-clips/ By Dominic Shaw TONY Mowbray has told Jack Clarke to study clips of Thierry Henry when he was at his best at Arsenal as Sunderland's in-form winger looks to add to another element to his game…. "I've talked to him about hitting with no backlift," explained Sunderland's head coach. "If you think of the great Thierry Henry, there's no backlift, they almost pass, bend it into the far corner. Jack is still taking a swing at it, a lot of his shots get blocked. I want him to work on, if you can picture what I'm saying as you're dribbling you almost don't break stride and you finish without a backswing, without winding it up because defenders - and I was one - see the wind up, anticipate the shot, lunge and block. Whereas if Jack is travelling and has no backlift and just passes it into his next stride there's another goal. "Hopefully we'll see that in the season coming and there'll be lots more of Jack cutting inside, threatening to shoot, another touch then without a backlift he passes it into the far corner." ….
Good advice that from Tony. Amad also has that knack of hitting it with no backlift, scored quite a few by taking the defence by surprise.
I think TM should just say to them “every now and then, swap sides.”. It would cause all sorts of problems fir defences if they did this.
My concern would be would they both get greedy trying to beat each other in the goal stakes leading to the detriment to the rest of the team
hopefully it was more of a call to arms for the whole squad, do not want to see fall outs but i want to see a back line aiming to 'beat' ballard (i think i can safely say he is the main man atm) ekwah and neil are getting most comments from midfield with jobe just behind but we have other, damn good lads in there to push themselves...it can only be good for the squad imho, everyone pushing an extra 10% out.
I was just thinking that, can't help our strikers. Surely, Roberts in particular, should be working on trying to assist the strikers.
I thought this a little strange too, especially now we are now palying two of our own strikers who need more service. We need to move away from last season and playing without strikers. perhaps Tony thinks this will take more time so in the mean time...... we need more goals from Roberts.
Personally, the little I've seen of Rusyn this season, once he gets fully used to everyone, has me thinking it will be three up top, with him in the middle for a lot of games. He is mobile, works hard, makes the runs and is sharp. He's ideal for that position IMO. Let's hope a few goals start going in!
I would be pushing Roberts to add assists before goals like. He needs to look up.and pick out the run more. He is able to tie defenders in knots and make them look hopeless at times, Clarke doesn't come near him with the things he can do with the ball. But of the two Clarke is direct and always looking to do something with the ball and is much more effective. Roberts always seems to be focused on beating those directly in front of them and not necessarily looking where he can put the ball to do damage (either with a pass or a shot). I noticed the last couple games he has seemed to be looking to make that final ball more, it appears there has been some coaching going on in that regard, and I get the feeling he is going to create more *fingers crossed*.
Excactly!.....both players are comfortable 'both-footed' players. ....unlike our swapping over of fullbacks.
In the Echo today (Sunday) it’s saying ‘Sunderland struggling with Clarke contract’ and then goes on to link him with Brentford. It says we are offering him more money to get him to sign. I thought we already have him on a 5 year contract (with probably 4 or so years to go) What’s the situation then, does he only have a year or so left or is it 3+ years.
Didn't Clarke have a £15m release clause in his existing contract and he was annoyed it wasn't triggered in the summer?
Never heard anything about a release clause and the last I seen from Clarke was him saying he was enjoying his football and was happy, I think the media have just latched onto him and are trying to create a story at the minute. He may well move but I don't think the club will want to sell in January as we all know it is a bad window to sell your best players as it is rare to get value for money on purchases
