Harry Clifton

Was chatting to someone on Saturday who doesn't rate Clifton due to his passing and inability to do anything with the ball. Personally I think he's quietly been a cornerstone piece of the squad putting in 100% every game and giving it all wherever he's put on the pitch. Also helps that he's chipped in with an assist for Bapaga on Saturday and also got a goal today. Let's not forget he's not exactly old either only 23.

Clifton has been great this season, and he was good under Hurst last season once we got going. He always runs his arse into the ground. He's had spells over the last few seasons when he looked a bit out of his depth but he's maturing really well and those spells are becoming less and less frequent. One of my favourite players in this squad and over the last five years as you can see how hungry he is and how much playing for Town means to him, so I'm delighted he's doing well now.

He's one of those players that quietly and efficiently goes about his business and doesn't catch the eye. All good teams have one and the rest of the team and management will know his worth and what he brings to the side. He'll run 'til he drops.

He is also getting better every season.

Well he was superb tonight I thought.

I’d go as far as saying that he’s a vital component of the team at the moment. His all round fitness, running, chasing down generally fulfilling that harrying role (pun intended) wears other teams down and opens up opportunities for others. His passing has improved a bit and he’s even chipping in with goals. There are others more technically gifted granted.  But he’s a talisman.

He's always been a player who will keep going and can tackle/break up play. He's not going to be Mr. Flashy Pants with inch perfect passing and lots of goals but he provides an important role in how we play like Fox does.

Hard decision to make but I thought he was MOM tonight, I am not his biggest fan but tonight he gave it his all again and played a major role in us claiming 3 deserved points.
UTMM

He's getting consistency into his game and hasn't had a bad match all season. Just shows that the youth development works.

Looks a really good player at this level

Coming into L2 he had such inconsistency with managers coping and changing all the time. Let's not forget most of us pinned the hopes on a 22 year old lads neck.

He seems to have found a rhythm to his game so far this season and looks a far lot more relaxed with the ball and uses it intelligently. Think there is a reason he pishes the pre season running tests every year.. He seems like a true professional who trains right, has the right attitude and just gives 100% every single time. a proper Paul Hurst player.

He never stops running this lad , really pleased for him to get his goal much deserved he grafts his proverbials off game in game out , also a great asset in that he can play literally anywhere , my mom last night

Quoted from Oly1987

Was chatting to someone on Saturday who doesn't rate Clifton due to his passing and inability to do anything with the ball. Personally I think he's quietly been a cornerstone piece of the squad putting in 100% every game and giving it all wherever he's put on the pitch. Also helps that he's chipped in with an assist for Bapaga on Saturday and also got a goal today. Let's not forget he's not exactly old either only 23.

Your chatting partner is wrong. One of our own

Town’s James Milner. He can and will play anywhere on the pitch and put in a really professional performance.

I think he’s really evolved into a very valuable ‘engine room’ or even ‘utility’ player, and these are rare nowadays. His fitness, energy, miles covered etc - all superb and he maintains that consistently and with total commitment at all times. In previous seasons I and others said we felt he needed to develop the ability to influence games more, and bring more ‘product’ offensively to his box to box game - ie, goals and assists. He’s absolutely done that and goes from strength to strength I think. A really good player now, with a pivotal role and great future captaincy potential. Plus - he’s 23 - he’s not even peaking yet. I’m really grateful we have him, and I think the staff also deserve great credit for ‘coaching him on’ and trusting him.

I’d argue he’s one of the most important players to our tactical approach, and not just in terms of closing down. At the minute we’re overwhelming teams with our movement and off-the-ball runs, and that requires someone in the midfield 3 to be getting into the final third, which harry is doing. Saw it with his goal today and assist on Saturday. It’s telling that he’s the only one of the midfield 3 not to be rotated out yet (I think), as he’s probably the only one capable of doing it effectively all game.

Also interesting that Hurst spoke in his Dover interview about not playing fifa football when 5-0 up and continuing to do the right things, and he specifically highlighted the fact Harry was continuing to make good runs.

We’ve pulled together a quality side, but Harry must be one of the first names on the team sheet which is a great credit to him.

Up until the beginning of last season I really didn’t rate Clifton but last season there were signs of him developing into a very solid player and this season he’s gone up a notch.

The work rate was always there but he’s so much better on the ball now too, he was one of the stand outs in a great team performance last night.

Quoted from Oly1987

Was chatting to someone on Saturday who doesn't rate Clifton due to his passing and inability to do anything with the ball. Personally I think he's quietly been a cornerstone piece of the squad putting in 100% every game and giving it all wherever he's put on the pitch. Also helps that he's chipped in with an assist for Bapaga on Saturday and also got a goal today. Let's not forget he's not exactly old either only 23.

This debate about Clifton has got on my mammaries for ages.
How the intercourse anyone doesn't rate Harry, he will never be a Hunt like player but players like Hunt wouldn't be as affective without players like Harry.
Hes a grafter, a stopper, a spoiler, never ever stops chips in with assists and the odd gole or three.
Wears the shirt with pride.
This debate is boring and should be put to bed.

For a long time I always felt that Clifton got a game and got the support because he was local, not because he was any good but, since Hurst came in he’s almost become a vital player and dies for the cause so credit where it’s due.

Fox and Clifton enable Hunt and McAtee to play.

Don’t forget they’re keeping the club captain on the bench.

AFC Telford have released Nathan Pond following a red card for a 'wild challenge' against Stamford in the FA Cup in which his manager deemed unacceptable.

He's doing brilliantly, so versatile and committed. Racking up the appearances too must be close to 150 games for us.

109 for us.
38 for Grantham.

He is part of the best midfield we have had in yonks

Quoted from Oly1987

Was chatting to someone on Saturday who doesn't rate Clifton due to his passing and inability to do anything with the ball. Personally I think he's quietly been a cornerstone piece of the squad putting in 100% every game and giving it all wherever he's put on the pitch. Also helps that he's chipped in with an assist for Bapaga on Saturday and also got a goal today. Let's not forget he's not exactly old either only 23.

I take it the person you spoke to supports Scunny? I think Harry is really benefiting from playing in a settled position in a settled side and is starting to look like the player we know he could be.

We have cover for most positions.....except Harry. If we had taken either of the excellent chances to go 4 nil up then Cokey could have given him a breather. Similarly, we have no cover for McAtee who, understandably, tires after an hour of heroics.

Coke was arguably the best player of the final 3 months of last season.  Fox arrived with one hell of a pedigree for this level and with Burton fans saying he was very good at League One level.

Clifton has, along with Hunt, kept both on the bench at various points this season. That says everything.

18 months ago I didn't think he was up to it.  Never questioned his running levels or his attitude, but I felt technically he was falling far too short.  He's worked on that and improved it.  Hindsight is great but his lack of technical prowess in previous seasons could well have been a result of inferior coaching.  Whatever has happened in the last 9 months, he's a vastly improved player.

Being able to rotate Fox and Coke will do wonders for keeping both of them fit as well

Coke  and Fox are 2 different types of  player. I would say Fox is more versatile, possibly because of his experience but Coke is there if needed.  Good to have both in the camp and both compliment the other 2 midfielders.

I think he has vastly improved his game over the last 12 months. And credit to him for continuing to work on his game.

Work rate and energy has always been there. Gives 100% every time he pulls on the shirt.

And this season is starting to chip in with a couple of well taken goals already.

Still young enough to get better. My only critique as the moment is his composure at times. That rushed misplaced pass or snatched shot. But as I said is working hard to get better and his commitment wills you to get behind him.

Proving to be an important player