Post by Topper Gas on Jan 12, 2017 19:22:08 GMT
Proof DC does read Gaschat!!! Although wasn't DC himself only saying after the Shrewsbury game that he now needed to move players on and some get new players in?
Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke frustrated by lack of appreciation for double promotion winners
By JamesMcNamara | Posted: January 12, 2017
Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke believes some of his long-serving players are under-appreciated.
Clarke started nine players who were playing Conference football less than two years ago when Rovers dismissed Northampton Town in devastating fashion to move within a point of the League One play-offs last weekend.
The manager continues to try and bolster his squad ahead of Saturday's trip to Fleetwood Town, but admits that he finds continual questions about the arrival of new faces disrespectful to those that have helped the club to back-to-back promotions.
"Nine of the starters on Saturday were playing in the Conference two years ago," Clarke said. "It just goes to show the value of identifying players where there is room for improvement with a bit of work and time.
"There is always pressure on managers to change this or to change that, but I am very proud of the players who have taken this club from the Conference to the top half of League One in such a short space of time.
"I generally look for players who have got improvement in them. Some will plateau at certain times but some players will surprise you and will do well at a level you felt might be beyond them.
It don't like to make judgements on a player over two or three games and then decide that he is not for me. You might take a player out for a while and get a bit more work into him on the training ground to make sure they are better prepared for when they get a chance again. I always try to tweak the squad as I go along.
We have had a few loans that have been hit and miss and a few permanent signings that have been the same, but where we are as a club at the moment suggests that I haven't done too badly at all on the recruitment front."
One area of the squad that Clarke is unlikely to strengthen during January transfer window - providing Matty Taylor stays - is in attack.
Taylor has scored 18 times so far this season, while Ellis Harrison plundered a seven-minute hat-trick as part of a four-goal haul in last weekend's 5-0 victory, and Clarke said: "Ellis is a prime example."
He added: "It frustrates me a little bit that it is only when Ellis scores four goals that people start to appreciate what he brings to our team.
"He has been doing well for us over the last 18 months and has really matured as a player. What you get with players who have been with clubs for a long time is that people are too quick to focus on their faults and negatives.
"We have seen Ellis and other players have really good games from time-to-time, but to expect them to be at those levels week-in-and-week out is unrealistic.
"Players will be hit and miss in terms of their consistency, but Ellis certainly brings a lot of strength to our team in both boxes.
"I am delighted with all of my strikers. Luke (James) is a very good player, who has been a bit unfortunate that Matty Taylor has been scoring goals to limit his chances.
"Jermaine (Easter) and Rory (Gaffney) have also got four or five goals and I am happy that my strikers as a unit are already closing in on 40 goals between them. You can't ask for much more than that."
Read more at www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-rovers-boss-darrell-clarke-frustrated-by-lack-of-appreciation-for-double-promotion-winners/story-30052967-detail/story.html?dwrMeth=addComment&afterReg=Y#T53HjAy6GWCmqAKA.99
Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke frustrated by lack of appreciation for double promotion winners
By JamesMcNamara | Posted: January 12, 2017
Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke believes some of his long-serving players are under-appreciated.
Clarke started nine players who were playing Conference football less than two years ago when Rovers dismissed Northampton Town in devastating fashion to move within a point of the League One play-offs last weekend.
The manager continues to try and bolster his squad ahead of Saturday's trip to Fleetwood Town, but admits that he finds continual questions about the arrival of new faces disrespectful to those that have helped the club to back-to-back promotions.
"Nine of the starters on Saturday were playing in the Conference two years ago," Clarke said. "It just goes to show the value of identifying players where there is room for improvement with a bit of work and time.
"There is always pressure on managers to change this or to change that, but I am very proud of the players who have taken this club from the Conference to the top half of League One in such a short space of time.
"I generally look for players who have got improvement in them. Some will plateau at certain times but some players will surprise you and will do well at a level you felt might be beyond them.
It don't like to make judgements on a player over two or three games and then decide that he is not for me. You might take a player out for a while and get a bit more work into him on the training ground to make sure they are better prepared for when they get a chance again. I always try to tweak the squad as I go along.
We have had a few loans that have been hit and miss and a few permanent signings that have been the same, but where we are as a club at the moment suggests that I haven't done too badly at all on the recruitment front."
One area of the squad that Clarke is unlikely to strengthen during January transfer window - providing Matty Taylor stays - is in attack.
Taylor has scored 18 times so far this season, while Ellis Harrison plundered a seven-minute hat-trick as part of a four-goal haul in last weekend's 5-0 victory, and Clarke said: "Ellis is a prime example."
He added: "It frustrates me a little bit that it is only when Ellis scores four goals that people start to appreciate what he brings to our team.
"He has been doing well for us over the last 18 months and has really matured as a player. What you get with players who have been with clubs for a long time is that people are too quick to focus on their faults and negatives.
"We have seen Ellis and other players have really good games from time-to-time, but to expect them to be at those levels week-in-and-week out is unrealistic.
"Players will be hit and miss in terms of their consistency, but Ellis certainly brings a lot of strength to our team in both boxes.
"I am delighted with all of my strikers. Luke (James) is a very good player, who has been a bit unfortunate that Matty Taylor has been scoring goals to limit his chances.
"Jermaine (Easter) and Rory (Gaffney) have also got four or five goals and I am happy that my strikers as a unit are already closing in on 40 goals between them. You can't ask for much more than that."
Read more at www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-rovers-boss-darrell-clarke-frustrated-by-lack-of-appreciation-for-double-promotion-winners/story-30052967-detail/story.html?dwrMeth=addComment&afterReg=Y#T53HjAy6GWCmqAKA.99
