How frustrated must he feel?

In the majority of matches in our huge unbeaten run last season (I thought) he was our best defender, he was very solid along with the rest of the defence.

I may be wrong, but since the Accrington game last season we did not lose a league game while he played, except for Rochdale. There are many reasons why we lost the games (vs Barnet etc) but I do believe Ben Clark's absence was a major reason.

However this was not solely to do with his defensive presence but the fact that we had inadequate cover. Liddle could slot in there and play just as well as Clark, but Liddle was sorely missed in midfield.


What im trying to say is this, we sign some much needed cover in the form of Antwi, fair play to Wilson as Antwi seems to be a really good signing, however Ben Clark did not make the mistakes in 20+ matches that Antwi has made in 5.

This may sound harsh, but what happens if Antwi makes a similar mistake vs Leeds as he did vs Oldham? fortunately Oldham were shite so it didnt really matter. Against Leeds though it could cost us the game.

Im not saying Antwi should be dropped forever, but that Clark should be used soon (perhaps not Saturday). If we were to lose Ben Clark it would be a major loss, cause he can definately play for another club at this level.

The problem I think we have is that Antwi put in some good early performances for Pools in friendlies, and since he had a fantastic game vs us for Accrington (by far their best player last season vs us) and the fact he has come from Liverpool people are looking at him through rose tinted spectacles.

He is after all 19, and perhaps needs to be reminded that he has some way to go before he is consistantly Pools best defender (even though im surprised to hear, some Poolies rate him as the first name on the team sheet), nevermind breaking into the Liverpool squad which im sure is his overall aim and possibly achievable.


It would also be a test to Antwi's character, he seems very passionate so hopefully he would conduct himself in the right way. Training hard and proving he should be back in the team, this would undoubtedly help him progress into a better player.


Btw did anyone see Clark 'have a word' with Antwi after the first half whistle? Antwi seemed absolutely gutted about what had happened, and stood there for a moment looking up at the sky, but good ol' Ben put an arm round his shoulder and seemed to tell him to keep his head up.

Top bloke.

I think during the summer the majority of fans who have pointed at central defence being an area we needed to strengthen.

Whilst Gary Liddle is more than comfortable playing there I believe he is wasted in that role. So we brought in the best we could afford/get hold of, Mr Antwi.

At present its causing us something of a headache, we all know how good Ben Clark is, but Antwi's no mug either. I think it's too early to panic, at the turn of the year we were without one of Nelson or Clark for what felt like ages, if/when that happens this year we'll be well sorted to not have to play players out of position.

Agreed but it was worse than that. when Liddle was drafted into central defence then he did ok but it left a huge gap in midfield. Despite Antwi being a good player I would still stick with Nelson / Clark with Antwi in reserve.

The cream always rises to the top. Ben will get a run, I'm convinced.

I'd go along with that...but as someone posted earlier, he's (Antwi) here to get games under his belt, could there be some kind of agreement between ourselves and Liverpool that he gets them? Just a thought.

Its interesting the Ben Clark situation, I'm a huge fan of his too, Always gives 100% and he has definatley improved from when he first came to the club in the Central Midfield role, I always thought he was a defender and once he was put there by Stepho I think it was, You knew we had a cracking defender on our hands and thats what Clark is!

I've said in another post before that surely if Antwi is only 90% fit, As it seems since his injury 3 games played (Granted I didnt see the Port Vale game) that the 2 I've seen him in he's far from what he was in other games and this could be effected by his injury? and if this is the case then Ben Clark should be playing instead of Antwi

Although I do think Antwi is a cracking signing and is definatley adequate cover, Its great that we now have a squad full of players competing for places and no longer with young un's sat on the bench instead of good strong players!

i am totally surprised that DW is persisting with Antwi over Ben Clark
at 19 he still looks a bit raw to me and as was said in the paper today that DW is critical of the way he lets the ball bounce in dangerous positions some thing in his game that needs to be corrected
but why oh why break up the Nelson/Clark partnership any way

agreed.

The things is, centre halves tend to get booked a fair bit. Sooner or later nelson or Antwi will be suspended and clarke will get his chance. Its up to him to take it.

Hows about Clark playing in midfield while Boland & Sweeney are injured ?

Its only a £10,000 fine aint it? Sod it, play our second team and take the fine. We have an important game on Saturday and this feels like one of the most unimportant games i ever remember us playing. '

Cant we opt out of this cup like Man U did with the FA Cup?

agree 100% benno will do a great job there.

From the rules: "Each Club shall play its full available strength in all matches. The Board will from time to time
issue a policy as to what constitutes ‘full available strength’. Any Club failing to meet this
requirement will be required to pay a fine of up to £5,000."

Hardly any the wiser with that!

We have a suspended £1500 fine plus a further fine of up to 5000 squids if we break the rules.

Is it lawful specifying what sort of team we put out?

Restriction of trade or something surely.

I dunno, John Bosman, Alexi Lalas, Peter Kay.

Exactly right.I am very pissed off we have this game tonight, away from home again, with Leeds coming up on Saturday. Leeds now have a full week's training before a home game, as they have a bye for the first round and can tend to any minor injuries etc to get everyone fully fit and focussed for Saturday.
While we are forced to play in this distraction tonight, a total bag of shi-te cup if ever there was one.