Nathan Clarke

Heard we are signing Nathan Clarke from Coventry. Played under Slade for Orient too. Experienced Defender but not sure he's pacy but we will see .

sounds promising if we are . dont have to be like a rabbit if you can read the game . seem to remember futcher wasnt quick but one hell of a defender

Taken from the Coventry Telegraph 12 March 2017

12 Mar 2017 - Coventry City defender Nathan Clarke has expressed his personal disappointment at Russell Slade's exit, but remains committed to the club under new boss Mark Robins. ... "I'm obviously gutted, I got on with Russell very well, but that's football and things change quickly.

Thirty three years old though, with Davies and Collins it  would seem a tad slow defence

Taken from the Leighton Orient Forum,        because I`ve got nothing better to do



Club News
OVERVIEW: Orient Under Slade
5 April 2013

Jonny Davies
11 views
We take a look at the plight of the O's under Russell Slade as he celebrates his third year in charge

Russell Slade was appointed O’s manager on April 5 2010 after the O’s had been defeated 2-1 at Southampton to leave them above the relegation zone on goal difference with 41 points and six games to go.

The appointment proved to be inspired as the O’s went on to pick up seven points from their next three games including a memorable 2-1 home win over top of the table Norwich thanks to a brace from Sean Thornton.

The O’s effectively secured their League One status with one game to spare after defeating Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 meaning they sat three points clear of the drop zone with a far superior goal difference.

The following 2010-11 season was one that will live long in the memory as the club secured their highest league finish for 18 years as they finished seventh and missed out on the play-offs by a point. Equally Slade’s side enjoyed a rollercoaster FA Cup journey that saw them take Arsenal to a fifth round replay after Jonathan Tehoue’s late equaliser saw Brisbane Road erupt, whilst Norwich and Swansea City were also put to the sword during the run, two sides who won promotion to the Premier League that season.

The season also included a remarkable 17 game unbeaten run between January 3 and March 19 2011 but the O's lost their way at the business end of the season as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

The 2011-12 season was a less memorable one as a number of key players from the previous season departed for pastures new, and the O’s got off to a poor start and failed to pick up three points in the league until October 1.

The win against Preston that day in 2011 sparked a nine game unbeaten run to help revive the O’s and around the turn of the year, there was hope that the side could mount a challenge for at least a top half finish.

Injuries took their toll as the side struggled to get any momentum, typified by the stat that the club used seven different goalkeepers throughout the season including defender Scott Cuthbert who donned the gloves for part of a game against Scunthorpe in February after Lee Butcher left the pitch injured.

The O’s form plummeted at a crucial time as they failed to win during April, however thanks to other results, the O’s secured their League One status after the 2-1 defeat to Hartlepool in the penultimate game of the season.

The current season – Slade’s third full season with the club – certainly has more parallels with the 2010-11 one than previously. The O’s again started the campaign in sluggish fashion as they lost their first four league games but a 1-0 win away at Swindon in September got the season going as Orient enjoyed a strong autumn that culminated in an eight game winning streak in November and December.

Like two years before, the New Year brought cup runs and unbeaten spells though it remains to be seen whether they O’s can go one further than the class of 2010-11 and sneak a spot in the play-off places.

O's Under Slade

Played: 169
Won: 67
Drawn: 41
Lost: 61

Most obvious signing we was going to make this. I think this is the reason why Pearson was kept waiting. From what I've gathered a very similar player to Shaun albeit a higher quality player. Spent most of his career in league one and been rated everywhere. Very happy with this. Hoping we can sign Adam chicksen at left back then 1 quick, younger centre half too

Don't recall Tony Adams/Martin Keown/Steve Bould being blessed with pace. If you're good enough, you're good enough.

Sounds like he'd be a quality addition.

Would be a good addition. However, as already mentioned, a 33 year old defender, plus two 36 year olds, doesn't exactly scream mobility at the back. No doubt the defence will be solid but will it stand up against the quicker teams?

You don't really need to be rapid as a defender if you know your angles and when to stay and when to go. The better quality defenders are obviously better at this and you rarely saw Collins get the runaround last season. Of course pace helps, but usually to correct mistakes. Defenders that rely on their pace will come unstuck far more than defenders that know their angles and how to limit attackers space.

Young men and ladies
Don't ever dismiss experience over youth.

Nathan Clarke will be good for GTFC

I am just off to finish my half-marathon before bed. Ilkleymariner, aged less than 80, but over 33.

Would be a great signing if true! Bags of experience at a higher level.

You could also say we have a 27 year old centre back and a 25 year old right back. I'm guessing we'd be in for a younger mobile LB & CB to complete the defence. Sounds like a good mixture to me.