Sunderland manager Alex Neil has spoken about Jack Clarke's development over recent months, after his January arrival. Like Patrick Roberts, Clarke took a while to get up to speed and, despite impressing recently, has scored just a single goal- in the dying seconds of a win over Fleetwood Town...
OUTLET
“I think there have been some home matches that have been relatively tight where he’s been a good outlet for us. He gets us up the pitch and he can go either way. He’s probably been coming in on his right side more recently and maybe needs to mix it up a little bit more, but he’s dynamic and direct."
MORE CLINICAL
“He can take people on one-for-one, which is obviously a good strength to have, and he’s been a threat for us. He’s missed a few key chances, and I think that’s the next stage for him. He just needs to be that bit more clinical in front of goal. I think there’s been a few games recently – Lincoln, in particular, is one that sticks in the mind – where he had a golden opportunity, and they’re the moments we’ve got to capitalise on. But, in the main, I think his appetite for the work that he needs to do and his willingness to be a threat for us and take us up the pitch, he’s done well.”
FITNESS
“I think we’re far better placed with a lot of those players than we were ten games ago. Realistically, we came in and Jack and Patrick hadn’t really played any football in the first half of the season. You had to then pick that up and get them into a state where they could play games regularly, and be at a fitness level that allowed them to do so. But, in the short term, not compromising by losing points and losing games isn’t an easy thing to do. Credit to them and the fitness team in terms of getting them up to speed as quickly as we have done.”
