The elephant in the room

I love Clifton as much as you all do, however, he can not continue to play left mid/wing, discuss

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

I love Clifton as much as you all do, however, he can not continue to play left mid/wing, discuss

Well, he can if PH keeps picking him in that position.

For me, he plays centre midfield or he doesn't play at all. He gives everythinhg, but he runs in straight lines, he isn't going to drop his shoulder and beat a full back. He is not a winger.

Personally I don’t think he affects games enough in central midfield and Green, Morris and Holohan are all better options there. Harry ended last season really well on the left hand side and is a good option there for how we want to play ie with a grafter on one side who can cover central areas too.

I am happy with him there right now but I can understand why people would rather see Wearne or try the Amos-Glennon combination some more.

For those wanting him in the centre, who would you drop out to accommodate for this?

Surely the elephant in the room is that for all his commitment and work rate, we’re 4 games in back in the league and it’s clear that he’s probably not anything more than a sub?

He improved massively and you’d imagine Hurst understandably loves him but I’m not sure he’s ever gonna be effective out wide and I wouldn’t drop anyone in the middle of the park…

He’s not the answer on the left side for sure. Is he better than any of the other three CMs? I guess we’ll find out if and when he plays there - is it worth resting Green to find out? He’s clearly not fully fit.

We have lost one game in four.
Don’t expect major surgery

Gave me view on on this already today in just back. I don’t think it’s an elephant in the room situation more of a fish out of water situation.

Why do people always talk as if there is a fixed starting eleven throughout the season? Harry has some great attributes, which will be more suited to certain games/opposition than others. It's a squad game and I'm sure he will play an important part.

What's the point in trying to do him down?

Quoted from IlkleyMariner

We have lost one game in four.
Don’t expect major surgery

Not sure bringing Kiernan in for Harry and shifting Wearne to the left is major surgery

If we are to play a three man central midfield then there will be injuries and suspensions in that area. We don't have too many options so Harry will play a lot of football there you'd have thought.

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

Why do people always talk as if there is a fixed starting eleven throughout the season? Harry has some great attributes, which will be more suited to certain games/opposition than others. It's a squad game and I'm sure he will play an important part.

What's the point in trying to do him down?

You could not be more wrong, Clifton has fitness levels that the rest of the team can only dream of, however, he is not a left winger, get him in the middle is all I am saying

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

Why do people always talk as if there is a fixed starting eleven throughout the season? Harry has some great attributes, which will be more suited to certain games/opposition than others. It's a squad game and I'm sure he will play an important part.

What's the point in trying to do him down?

Very well said. Last season, we got promotion because of the squad, not the starting 11. The ability to bring on fresh legs and a different option got us there. This year we have the ability for 5 subs, so I’m expecting, for some games, a lot of changes

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

You could not be more wrong, Clifton has fitness levels that the rest of the team can only dream of, however, he is not a left winger, get him in the middle is all I am saying

He lacks that bit of technical ability that a centre mid should have he would be a liability for us in that position. No one is questioning his attitude or his superb work rate  but the truth is footballing ability at this level is questionable. He’s a valued member of the squad and can do lots of jobs for us but running a game from midfield isn’t one of them

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

You could not be more wrong, Clifton has fitness levels that the rest of the team can only dream of, however, he is not a left winger, get him in the middle is all I am saying

He’s not a left winger but can play left mid field. If we go to a straight 4-4-2 he’s out of position.

When Maher is fit I think we may well play 3 CB’s so let’s see what if there’s a starting place for Harry.

Could we have a thread about the good things he brings to the team next time please?

Clifton did a great job out wide on the left last season, he had some fantastic games playing in that position. However it has always felt like a temporary fix to me. I
remember another post saying similar a few weeks ago, but long term playing consistently in that position will not do him any favours.
I can't imagine he sees his long term future as playing there either. If he was left footed maybe, but he isn't.
The best thing for us and himself is for Hurst to start using him in his natural center midfield role. We play 3 in that position and including Kouhri we only have 5 players for that role, so I predict he will get plenty of game time in a more natural position this season. Hurst has mentioned him playing that role on a few occasions this season, so I don't believe Hurst doesn't trust him in that role. I think he was asked to play on the left last season due to weaknesses in the squad, not because he can't play in the centre.
I say all this as a huge Harry fan- personally I don't think we have seen the best of him yet and that will come with a change of position.

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

He lacks that bit of technical ability that a centre mid should have he would be a liability for us in that position. No one is questioning his attitude or his superb work rate  but the truth is footballing ability at this level is questionable. He’s a valued member of the squad and can do lots of jobs for us but running a game from midfield isn’t one of them

Maybe you are right but he has played a few decent games in the middle of the park so not sure he’s a liability, I do agree on his technical ability but I think he makes up for that with workrate and attitude. Skilful opponents do not like to play against a physical monster, for example JMD, technically brilliant but Harry would run him into next month, either way I don’t care where he plays but I think we all know it’s a dilemma

Quoted from HertsGTFC

He’s not a left winger but can play left mid field. If we go to a straight 4-4-2 he’s out of position.

When Maher is fit I think we may well play 3 CB’s so let’s see what if there’s a starting place for Harry.

Could we have a thread about the good things he brings to the team next time please?

Listen Mr guardian reader, I was not digging him out. I have posted lots of positives about him. All I am saying is that he is not a left mid or winger. Do you want a hug?

Easily our most consistent performer. A rare off day for him yesterday, but still put a shift in.  

I've no idea of the stats but I'd imagine he is up there for most efforts on goal and crosses into the box for someone who is not attacking.
In terms of athleticism nobody in our squad can get close to him and his ability to cover the ground and his in your face style should not be underestimated.

He's been very close to being on the scoresheet in the league, shots on target in every game. Hit the post against Northampton and should have been slipped in 1 on 1 three times by Mcatee at Orient.

Huge part of our success and why the system works, criminally underrated.

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

Maybe you are right but he has played a few decent games in the middle of the park so not sure he’s a liability, I do agree on his technical ability but I think he makes up for that with workrate and attitude. Skilful opponents do not like to play against a physical monster, for example JMD, technically brilliant but Harry would run him into next month, either way I don’t care where he plays but I think we all know it’s a dilemma

He’s played in the middle a few times and from I’ve seen he’s been overwhelmed I can’t honestly think of a game where he’s dominated the game and took it by the scruff of its neck I honestly can’t. Work rate will take you so far but that killer pass just isn’t there. I still see his value in the squad and would genuinely love him to find that bit extra footballing nous not trying to urine anyone off but it’s my opinion

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

He’s played in the middle a few times and from I’ve seen he’s been overwhelmed I can’t honestly think of a game where he’s dominated the game and took it by the scruff of its neck I honestly can’t. Work rate will take you so far but that killer pass just isn’t there. I still see his value in the squad and would genuinely love him to find that bit extra footballing nous not trying to urine anyone off but it’s my opinion

Happy with that, I just think it’s a situation that needs discussing, not that it matters because we are not PH but it’s good to see different opinions

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

Happy with that, I just think it’s a situation that needs discussing, not that it matters because we are not PH but it’s good to see different opinions

Exactly it’s all opinions mate

I thought this was going to be another Tommy Lee thread 😂

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

I love Clifton as much as you all do, however, he can not continue to play left mid/wing, discuss

Not a chance. His shoulders are no way strong enough. Same would go for javelin and hammer.

Maybe cycling or long jump would be better suited  

Seems to be suffering  from the old fans eye view similar to Danny Butterfield.

Could be playing in league one right now if he wanted. Was picked by not one but two Wales u21 coaches and has been a first team choice for almost every fixture for the last three town managers.

What elephant?

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

He’s played in the middle a few times and from I’ve seen he’s been overwhelmed I can’t honestly think of a game where he’s dominated the game and took it by the scruff of its neck I honestly can’t. Work rate will take you so far but that killer pass just isn’t there. I still see his value in the squad and would genuinely love him to find that bit extra footballing nous not trying to urine anyone off but it’s my opinion

Wasn't he mom a few games ago?

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

Why do people always talk as if there is a fixed starting eleven throughout the season? Harry has some great attributes, which will be more suited to certain games/opposition than others. It's a squad game and I'm sure he will play an important part.

What's the point in trying to do him down?

This.

What headingley mariner said really. Incredible athlete.

Quoted from 140381

What headingley mariner said really. Incredible athlete.

Just not the best footballer and for me great squad player, not least because of his versatility, but IMO should certainly not be starting wide left but as others have said we all judge and rate players differently and he obviously has the support of our Manager so when he’s playing I support him but feel we have better options.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Just not the best footballer and for me great squad player, not least because of his versatility, but IMO should certainly not be starting wide left but as others have said we all judge and rate players differently and he obviously has the support of our Manager so when he’s playing I support him but feel we have better options.

Yep, all opinions. UTM.

It's a squad game. When Khan, Maher and Orsi return to fitness, there will be one almighty scramble for places in the match day squad as things stand at present. However, it is rare that everyone is fit to play every game, so there will be rotation, hopefully seamless rotation as injuries/suspensions/losses of form come and go. Clifton's greatest attribute is his fitness and ability to play several different roles as needed (reminiscent of James Milner earlier in his career). Hopefully, PH now has a squad, near enough anyway, which can enable a strong team to perform with consistency over prolonged periods of the season.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Seems to be suffering  from the old fans eye view similar to Danny Butterfield.

Could be playing in league one right now if he wanted. Was picked by not one but two Wales u21 coaches and has been a first team choice for almost every fixture for the last three town managers.

What elephant?

The ex-player that springs to mind for me is Stacy Coldicott. Not a player you would particularly notice for his work on the ball and not exactly the all action type to be diving into crunching tackles, but incredibly clever in his defensive movement off the ball and an absolute workhorse to the extent that he didn’t need to do any of the spectacular stuff.

The ground Harry covers means that he stops a lot of dangerous opposition balls before they even happen because the opportunity is no longer on. That’s the kind of thing that’s easy to miss as fans watching games, but that the kind of data our staff are now pricy too and the extensive footage which will be poured through will reveal.

Forest Green’s recruitment in recent seasons has been pretty good; enough to carry them from the NL to League One in relative short order. They weren’t interested in him purely on the basis of an Ian Burchnall whim, you can be sure of that.

As above, there is no elephant. Just fish…

This thread is pointless speculation; Harry will be picked to start when Paul Hurst decides to pick him, which I expect will be most games this season.

Negative post again after we battled hard and grinded out a win. Typical.
PH is more experienced than us so I'll leave him to make the decisions

Hursty is not one for sentiment as per Macca last season. Harry plays and does what Hursty wants otherwise he wouldn't be in the squad, never mind the team.

So if Harry is good enough for Hurst he's good enough for me playing where he's told to play.

Quoted from DB

Hursty is not one for sentiment as per Macca last season. Harry plays and does what Hursty wants otherwise he wouldn't be in the squad, never mind the team.

So if Harry is good enough for Hurst he's good enough for me playing where he's told to play.

Am with db on this one who are we to question ph

Probably the unseen side of the game which most people un-appreciate. Whilst not being Scott Neilson with the ball at his feet the amount of ground that he covers and provides Glennon time upon time would be like doubling up on a winger to nullify their threat. Always manages to get forward aswell, never ever tires and would play CM, LB, RB you name it and wouldn't moan about it, I bet he's brilliant to have in that dressing room and a joy for Paul to coach as a pro that simply knuckles down and tries their very very best every time he's out there. Don't forget he could of took the extra money and moved to FGR and playing a division higher now, some of us seem to have short memories of last year where Harry was brilliant in games. He's one of our own and even if he did have an off game yesterday and isn't a traditional winger, lets stick with him and show him that he's got our backing.

He’s played 112 games in league two - all his career apart from one season. Not sure why some seem to be indicating this is some kind of step too far for him?

Also, someone saying they’re struggling to remember one game where he stood out in the league? There’s been plenty of games where he’s been MOM or receives a lot of plaudits. I know that’s the case, but yeah I’m not Rainman and I’m not gonna just pluck an away win at Walsall or whatever out from my memory bank.

For someone who gets in behind the defence so often, probably 3 or 4 times on Saturday alone, he doesn’t really get enough assists. He always seems to be overstretching when it comes to playing that final ball across goal, and never seems to pick someone out when he had the opportunity.

I’m fully accept that Paul Hurst, an ex footballer and football manager with a decent reputation in the game who has so far guided us to 2 promotions and who see’s the players in training daily knows more about football than I do and than some random blokes on the internet.

On that basis if Hurst thinks Clifton is the best option to play on the left, middle or anywhere else for that matter then that’s what should happen.

If you really want an opinion from someone who knows the sum total of naff all about football then mine is that Clifton’s main problems are;

1. that he’s a ‘local lad done good’ and some people like to build these types up and then knock them down again … he’s been somewhat built up last year, maybe people see a need to knock him down again?
2. He’s very versatile and will do a job pretty much everywhere.

I think if/when Clifton does leave that’s when he’ll be truly missed and appreciated by the fan base in a similar way to Danny Butterfield.

Clifton is very good at football, he’s also fit and motivated. This is exactly what we want in a Grimsby player.

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

Listen Mr guardian reader, I was not digging him out. I have posted lots of positives about him. All I am saying is that he is not a left mid or winger. Do you want a hug?

Maybe if you bought a paper on a Sunday to stop you getting bored you may not have to post sh1te in an attempt to get a hug.

It’s a football forum and people have a varying opinions.

Clifton is, in some respects, the James Milner/John O’Shea of GTFC. Played in a variety of positions and is Mr Dependable and I guess every team craves a player like that. I imagine his data is off the charts with work rate, breaking up play a winning second balls. Hurst is meticulous in his preparation so I’ve no doubt he realises that by playing Clifton, in theory, our left hand side is defensively sound.

My own view of Clifton for a long time was that he got a game and the support of the fans because he was local, had he been from elsewhere he’d probably have taken a lot more flak. That said, he has improved and I guess, as highlighted in the thread on culture, he is symptomatic of that. Leaders that trust and believe in him have seen him improve. That has to be commended. Hurst picks him for a reason and whilst not protected from criticism, Hurst is now, for me in the same list as Buckley in terms of what he’s achieved at town, regardless of a relegation (let’s face it, we were dead and buried before he came in) so therefore, we have to trust him.

Personally I think Clifton’s ability to cross is baffling, he gets in to amazing positions and can clearer read the game exceptionally well but his crosses range from pitiful to alright. If he could cross a ball, even 1 decent one in 3, he’s be dangerous and have more assists.

I suspect this thread has come about because he was poor on Saturday and with the formation change and subs he became much more effective.

I don’t think anyone has said anything that’s not true in this thread and it is all about opinions. Whatever your criticism, I’d rather he be a town player than playing against us.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Easily our most consistent performer.

I would say that title belongs to Luke Waterfall at the moment and for the last season in it's entireity. Agree with all your positive statements on Harry though. He bleeds black and white, for sure and on a good day his work will be part of what gets us a ground out victory. He is a squad player through and through, and we need them.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Maybe if you bought a paper on a Sunday to stop you getting bored you may not have to post sh1te in an attempt to get a hug.

He didn't post shite, he posted fact, Clifton is NOT a LW or LM.  

Quoted from 123614

He didn't post shite, he posted fact, Clifton is NOT a LW or LM.  

Thierry Henry wasn’t a front man…

Quoted from aldi_01

Thierry Henry wasn’t a front man…

Come on, comparing HC with TH is a complete joke!

For what it's worth i see our left hand side moving forward as amos & glennon pushing up one i think harry done his best  out wide but stepping up a level we need more than workrate , put harry in his best position & will see a better player in my view

Personally I don't see the issue as Clifton operating on the left wing, it's more a case of what system that is in.

In a 4-4-2 (or the 4-4-1-1 we played last season) with attacking full-backs, having a more defensive minded winger isn't an issue.  This season, largely because of injuries to Taylor and McAtee we've gone with a 4-3-3 that doesn't suit what Clifton can bring really.

Last season, having Clifton operate on the left hand side of midfield gave us so many added benefits beyond his sheer work-rate and energy that came from him cutting inside

• It created an overload in midfield in our favour
  
• It created space for the attacking left-back to exploit. who he was always happy to drop back and cover.
  
• The two central midfielders could shift across which mitigated the less defensive game from the likes of JMD on the right wing.
  
• As above, the shifting across allowed cover for Efete bombing on from right-back.
  

This year, operating further up the pitch there's more onus on offering an attacking threat and both providing a supply line to the other attackers and supporting them.  With 3 in midfield there's also less of a need to have his energy levels topping everything up.

Ideally, I'd want to see Kiernan and Wearne either side of Taylor in this system.  But our outstanding feature this season, the Orient game aside, has been the sheer energy and press that we put on teams, of which Clifton is a huge part of.

Quoted from aldi_01

It’s a football forum and people have a varying opinions.

Clifton is, in some respects, the James Milner/John O’Shea of GTFC. Played in a variety of positions and is Mr Dependable and I guess every team craves a player like that. I imagine his data is off the charts with work rate, breaking up play a winning second balls. Hurst is meticulous in his preparation so I’ve no doubt he realises that by playing Clifton, in theory, our left hand side is defensively sound.

My own view of Clifton for a long time was that he got a game and the support of the fans because he was local, had he been from elsewhere he’d probably have taken a lot more flak. That said, he has improved and I guess, as highlighted in the thread on culture, he is symptomatic of that. Leaders that trust and believe in him have seen him improve. That has to be commended. Hurst picks him for a reason and whilst not protected from criticism, Hurst is now, for me in the same list as Buckley in terms of what he’s achieved at town, regardless of a relegation (let’s face it, we were dead and buried before he came in) so therefore, we have to trust him.

Personally I think Clifton’s ability to cross is baffling, he gets in to amazing positions and can clearer read the game exceptionally well but his crosses range from pitiful to alright. If he could cross a ball, even 1 decent one in 3, he’s be dangerous and have more assists.

I suspect this thread has come about because he was poor on Saturday and with the formation change and subs he became much more effective.

I don’t think anyone has said anything that’s not true in this thread and it is all about opinions. Whatever your criticism, I’d rather he be a town player than playing against us.

I absolutely agree with you. I enjoyed both the Kerr and Buckley eras. We are now at the onset of the Hurst era so let's embrace it and long may it last.

would clifton on the right of the front three with Glennon on the left ahead of Amos be an option with Wearne being an impact sub??

Quoted from diehardmariner

Last season, having Clifton operate on the left hand side of midfield gave us so many added benefits beyond his sheer work-rate and energy that came from him cutting inside

• It created an overload in midfield in our favour
  
• It created space for the attacking left-back to exploit. who he was always happy to drop back and cover.
  
• The two central midfielders could shift across which mitigated the less defensive game from the likes of JMD on the right wing.
  
• As above, the shifting across allowed cover for Efete bombing on from right-back.
  

.

Yeah good post.

I would add that Clifton isn't particularly effective in a central position, especially with only 2 in CM, because his touch isn't sharp enough. In tight areas he's likely to lose possession. Moving him out wide allows him the space to exploit what he's good at, like progressive carries, supporting attacks by moving into the box and, of course, his versatility.

It works when he picks the ball up in our half, carries it forward and lays it off quickly, usually to McAtee or Amos. It doesn't work when he's caught one-on-one with a defender, as he's not likely to dribble past him or work the space to put in a decent cross, especially on his left foot. He also takes up good positions in the box, often getting a shot away. His conversion rate last season was decent.

You're right about him drifting inside and creating an overload in midfield, but is that really necessary this season with us playing 3 centrally? I think with Taylor still being utilised as a target man and Green/Holohan being more advanced to support him, we probably need more specialised wingers/inside forwards to be able quickly move it on from a congested central area and provide fast counter attacks.

But I can absolutely see why Hurst has utilised Clifton in this way and it will definitely work in some situations. Our squad is even more versatile this year so I don't think we'll be stuck playing one system all season.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Personally I don't see the issue as Clifton operating on the left wing, it's more a case of what system that is in.

In a 4-4-2 (or the 4-4-1-1 we played last season) with attacking full-backs, having a more defensive minded winger isn't an issue.  This season, largely because of injuries to Taylor and McAtee we've gone with a 4-3-3 that doesn't suit what Clifton can bring really.

Last season, having Clifton operate on the left hand side of midfield gave us so many added benefits beyond his sheer work-rate and energy that came from him cutting inside

• It created an overload in midfield in our favour
  
• It created space for the attacking left-back to exploit. who he was always happy to drop back and cover.
  
• The two central midfielders could shift across which mitigated the less defensive game from the likes of JMD on the right wing.
  
• As above, the shifting across allowed cover for Efete bombing on from right-back.
  

This year, operating further up the pitch there's more onus on offering an attacking threat and both providing a supply line to the other attackers and supporting them.  With 3 in midfield there's also less of a need to have his energy levels topping everything up.

Ideally, I'd want to see Kiernan and Wearne either side of Taylor in this system.  But our outstanding feature this season, the Orient game aside, has been the sheer energy and press that we put on teams, of which Clifton is a huge part of.

Maybe we need a horses for courses approach. Teams will sooner rather than later learn that with our energy and fitness levels that they’ll drop deep and allow us the ball. That won’t be Harry’s game and where you need more adventurous players with more guile and quality.

Better teams will still go for it against us and leave us more openings and also demand we defend more, so you’d select Harry in those sorts of games. With injuries, suspensions and losses of form, none of which Harry suffers from, he’ll still play a lot of games.

Quoted from darren9

I’m fully accept that Paul Hurst, an ex footballer and football manager with a decent reputation in the game who has so far guided us to 2 promotions and who see’s the players in training daily knows more about football than I do and than some random blokes on the internet.

On that basis if Hurst thinks Clifton is the best option to play on the left, middle or anywhere else for that matter then that’s what should happen.

If you really want an opinion from someone who knows the sum total of naff all about football then mine is that Clifton’s main problems are;

1. that he’s a ‘local lad done good’ and some people like to build these types up and then knock them down again … he’s been somewhat built up last year, maybe people see a need to knock him down again?
2. He’s very versatile and will do a job pretty much everywhere.

I think if/when Clifton does leave that’s when he’ll be truly missed and appreciated by the fan base in a similar way to Danny Butterfield.

Clifton is very good at football, he’s also fit and motivated. This is exactly what we want in a Grimsby player.

If Harry didn't want to stay, and PH didn't want him, then no 2 year contract would have been signed. Harry isn't a journeyman.
He hasn't played in goal yet, but he's still got 2 years, so you never know. I think GTFC is lucky to have him.

Joni Mitchell said it best
"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone"

Quoted from 123614

He didn't post shite, he posted fact, Clifton is NOT a LW or LM.  

The posting sh1te bit was more around throwing terms around like Guardian Reader in refence to someone who may have a differing opinion rather than the OP.

Personally I don't think H is a left winger either but do think he can play on the left of mid field.

He's not a left winger and we have better in centre mid positions .

Quoted from 123614

He didn't post shite, he posted fact, Clifton is NOT a LW or LM.  

It's not a fact though is it? If PH plays him as a left midfielder, then that is what he is.

While I agree he isn't a traditional hug the line wide man, we have to get away from these labels and trying to put people into familiar boxes. It's akin to those who always bang on about 4-4-2 when the team are not performing well, as we saw in the mid part of last season.

The game has changed and instead of looking at what he doesn't do well, we should look at what he does do well.

If PH didn't want him, he could have let him leave the club, but he brings so much to the team and is one of those players that are more appreciated by management than fans. There always seems to be one or two in every era.

Is Harry the best option in any of the midfield positions? Maybe, maybe not. But, he’s the only one capable of playing in all of them.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Is Harry the best option in any of the midfield positions? Maybe, maybe not. But, he’s the only one capable of playing in all of them.

It entirely depends on the opposition and what PH's game plan for a given match is, as to whether he is the best option or not.

I think he's better out wide, right back or right wing back aremaybe his best positions for me. But I think he's better at LM or RM than in the middle. For me he gives away too many free kicks in dangerous areas when playing in the middle for a start. Its certainly isn't 'fact' that he's not a LM when he played there pretty much all of last seasons promotion campaign.
He was a great consistent performer last season, and had earned L1 interest which tells you a lot.

He isn't the best passer of the ball although he's improved, he isnt the best in front of goal but he gets in front of goal more than many others would in his position because of his pace and incredible fitness, so that helps redress that. Obviously he's a strong tackler and his off the ball work is fantastic, he's also a very positive player that drives forward when he does have the ball.

I suppose he may be usurped from the LM role if, for example, the glennon/Amos thing comes off or another player takes that spot. But that's not the same as saying he can't play there.

He didn't have a good game on Saturday but his pace was one of our only outlets during that first 30 minute hiding we were getting. Wearne was struggling badly with the defensive side of his role, it was hardly just Harry that was struggling, it was all over the pitch we were struggling.

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

Exactly it’s all opinions mate

Opinions are only allowed if they concur with the beetroot sarney brigade.

Quoted from aldi_01

Thierry Henry wasn’t a front man…

Jesus how irrelevant ..I need to post something so I will just post anything..... bore off bud

Quoted from aldi_01

It’s a football forum and people have a varying opinions.

Clifton is, in some respects, the James Milner/John O’Shea of GTFC. Played in a variety of positions and is Mr Dependable and I guess every team craves a player like that. I imagine his data is off the charts with work rate, breaking up play a winning second balls. Hurst is meticulous in his preparation so I’ve no doubt he realises that by playing Clifton, in theory, our left hand side is defensively sound.

My own view of Clifton for a long time was that he got a game and the support of the fans because he was local, had he been from elsewhere he’d probably have taken a lot more flak. That said, he has improved and I guess, as highlighted in the thread on culture, he is symptomatic of that. Leaders that trust and believe in him have seen him improve. That has to be commended. Hurst picks him for a reason and whilst not protected from criticism, Hurst is now, for me in the same list as Buckley in terms of what he’s achieved at town, regardless of a relegation (let’s face it, we were dead and buried before he came in) so therefore, we have to trust him.

Personally I think Clifton’s ability to cross is baffling, he gets in to amazing positions and can clearer read the game exceptionally well but his crosses range from pitiful to alright. If he could cross a ball, even 1 decent one in 3, he’s be dangerous and have more assists.

I suspect this thread has come about because he was poor on Saturday and with the formation change and subs he became much more effective.

I don’t think anyone has said anything that’s not true in this thread and it is all about opinions. Whatever your criticism, I’d rather he be a town player than playing against us.

Absolutely spot on.

Does there have to be a 'pick on HC' thread every season FFS  

Quoted from TAGG

Does there have to be a 'pick on HC' thread every season FFS  

Heavens above, pick on HC, what are you on about? It was an open thread on a footy forum to discuss wether Clifton would be better in the centre of the park than he is on the left side. Some people just want to be offended for the sake of it. No one has picked on Clifton, I think he’s great, I just  started a discussion on a forum.

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

Heavens above, pick on HC, what are you on about? It was an open thread on a footy forum to discuss wether Clifton would be better in the centre of the park than he is on the left side. Some people just want to be offended for the sake of it. No one has picked on Clifton, I think he’s great, I just  started a discussion on a forum.

Absolutely - I think HC is a great asset to the team & the club but I'm just not convinced he's the best left sided midfield option.

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

Heavens above, pick on HC, what are you on about? It was an open thread on a footy forum to discuss wether Clifton would be better in the centre of the park than he is on the left side. Some people just want to be offended for the sake of it. No one has picked on Clifton, I think he’s great, I just  started a discussion on a forum.

Yes it is.
Every season there is a 'can Harry do this that or the other'
sometimes two a season.
He keeps getting picked, keeps doing the biz and keeps being Town through and through.

Quoted from TAGG

Yes it is.
Every season there is a 'can Harry do this that or the other'
sometimes two a season.
He keeps getting picked, keeps doing the biz and keeps being Town through and through.

Awaits the 2031/32 season thread 'His legs have gone'.