Jamie Clapham

[DB11]

It's just you. Go away.

[Flynny]

No, but in the end, it's all interconnected.

But now't not the time to worry about it. Tonight's a time for celebration and that includes celebrating the part Clapham has obviously paid in helping us keep what's is our second best run of clean sheets in the season so far.

I'd be honestly interested how attacking you see Clapham to be, Thrac. Compared to Clarke he's quite good going forward, and I don't think he's quite as limited in that regard as seems to be made out. If he was just a little bit quicker I think he'd get forward even more, but he knows his limits and does what he can. On the occasions has looked weak, it's been from going too far forward and lacking the pace to get back, rather than being positionally naive or anything like that.

For me Stearman represents a very good balance of attack and defence in a full-back, and from what I've seen of him Clapham's only very slightly less attacking than he is, if I'm honest.

Hopefully next season we sign a left-back with a bit of pace.

[Thracian]

I'd be honestly interested how attacking you see Clapham to be, Thrac. Compared to Clarke he's quite good going forward, and I don't think he's quite as limited in that regard as seems to be made out. If he was just a little bit quicker I think he'd get forward even more, but he knows his limits and does what he can. On the occasions has looked weak, it's been from going too far forward and lacking the pace to get back, rather than being positionally naive or anything like that.

For me Stearman represents a very good balance of attack and defence in a full-back, and from what I've seen of him Clapham's only very slightly less attacking than he is, if I'm honest.

Hopefully next season we sign a left-back with a bit of pace.

From what I have seen he's a genuine support player rather than a creative player.

He doesn't panic, he sees the game "early" and because of that he makes himself time to do the simple things.

He's a tidy player who gives his passes simply and early, invariably to feet which makes them easier to receive and then he supports, sometimes slightly beyond the halfway line and in such a way as everyone knows where to find him.

In all those ways he'd be a smashing team-mate to have around.

What he's given is predictable reliability. He's definitely helped the flow of our game from the back but he doesn't threaten to produce goals in any way as someone like Gary Neville or Graham Le Saux.

I cannot emphasise enough how goalscoring is connected to defence and our goalscoring is seriously poor because we simply carry insufficient threat.

But that's not just down to Clapham for one moment and overall I think he's been a valuable player who has been something very few players have been in our team this season - consistent.

I've always considered 7.5 good games out of 10 to be "acceptable". By that I mean a match rating of around 6.75/7 and although Clapham has only played five times so far I'd say that's exactly what he's delivering.

[lildave3]

Got forward decently (is that word? probably not.) today. Got a few crosses in, and was solid at the back aswell imo.

[jonw88]

Here's one for you.... where do you think we'd be in the table if Clive Clarke hadn't had his heart attack? He was just the sort of left-back we needed; Clapham can consistently defend but doesnt provide much threat going forward, whilst Mattock seems to be better going forward than defending, maybe more of a left winger in future?

[Flynny]

I've always considered 7.5 good games out of 10 to be "acceptable". By that I mean a match rating of around 6.75/7 and although Clapham has only played five times so far I'd say that's exactly what he's delivering.

Well I'm honestly glad we're not torturing you by replacing a left-back you consider to be quality with a left-back you might consider to be appalling. Glad he's someone you can at least get behind a bit.

I'm very, very sincere but also a fair bit drunk. I do hope this doesn't look silly tomorrow.

[Zingari]

what everyone else said , solid reliable unspectacular

but he's still got a bloody funny shaped head

[C.J]

Claphams exactly what we need, hes had previous experience at this level. Also, hes so calm under pressure its unbelievable.

Mattocks young and a huge talent, it would be unfair to expect him to start every match. we dont want to put too much pressure on him especially at htat age.