Clarke Pondered Loan Move
Last updated : 26 October 2010 By Covsupport News Service/RD
Coventry City defender Jordan Clarke has revealed that he came close to asking manager Aidy Boothroyd for a loan move in order to get match time under his belt.
The 18 year old Covsupport News Service Young Player Of The Year was given another chance when he came on as a late substitute to bolster the midfield in Saturday's 3-0 win over Barnsley. The chance was duly taken and he scored City's third goal right at the end of the game.
Clarke had featured in early season games but failed to make a good enough impression on his manager, but he now has high hopes that his goal, his first senor goal for the club, will kick start his career at Coventry City.
Prior to Saturday, Clarke had been considering asking for a loan spell away from the club, but he was persuaded by his agent, former Sky Blues legend Cyrille Regis, to stay and fight for a place in the team.
"I was thinking to myself that things were not going well for me, what can I do, and I came to the conclusion that I needed to go out on loan, but that's probably immaturity to be fair. I never spoke to the manager but it was getting to the point where I was going to and then I had a chat with my agent and he told me, 'Look, just get your head down because you are a consistent player," and that advice has paid off.
"I always listen to him because he has been there and done it, and is basically an inspiration to me. He knows how to deal with situations like that and he always gives me good talks and helps me keep my head up," said Clarke to the CT.
Clarke lost his place in the first team partly due to poor performances against Leicester and Swansea. The versatile defender can play in a variety of positions, but left back is not his best and that was where he asked to play in the two games.
He spent the following games as an unused substitute and it was this that caused him to make the comment, "It has been the worst start to a season since I started playing football because even all through the academy I have been consistent, but the last two or three weeks I have been putting everything into training and I personally think I have been one of the best trainers."
"Hopefully the manager will be pleased with my contribution and will recognise that I have been working hard. I got my chance and I have scored a goal so that can only be good for me and I am going to keep training well to put pressure on the team and gaffer to get a game."
Jordan Clarke, born in the city of Coventry and an academy graduate has dreamt of the time he would score for his hometown club.
"Ever since I started at the academy I always pictured myself running from right back and cutting inside onto my right foot and banging it into the top corner, but that was even better and gave me goose bumps straight away," said Clarke who replaced Gunnarsson on Saturday in the midfield.
"When I was younger I started off at centre midfield, then moved to right and used to get a few goals from there. Then I went and played a couple of seasons up front when I scored a few, but they are few and far between these days but when they do come they are usually quite good ones."
"I remember one I scored against Southampton in pre season in my first year and the ball came across to me and I hit it first time and it flew into the goal. I don't score that many but I have been getting a few like that in training and it appears to be paying off."
A proud Clarke added, "My mum, dad and friends were in the crowd and I couldn't wait to see them and now I can't wait to get back to training to carry on. I am from Cov, I have scored for Cov so it is a dream come true. A really good day for me."
The City support including a delighted Covsupport News Service, who have followed Clarke's progress through the Academy, were almost as delighted for Clarke as he was at scoring his first senior goal for the club and he ran to the cornet of the CT stand to celebrate with the fans.
"I was going to take my top off but then thought I had better not get myself booked, so I just grabbed the badge to show the fans how committed I am".
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/SB