Grix is playing some FAB stuff at loose at the moment, the more i see him there more i see him being a long term solution to that ongoing 13 issue. Clarkey, when he does comes back will have a few large obstacles to overcome:
1. To get match fit
2. Get into a winning side
3. Get used to our speed/style of play (as we are playing quite differently compared to 12/18months ago)

I think Smith's public comments about Clarke have all been supportive. I am not sure he is better for the current set up of our team than Grix, Monaghan, Higham, Louis, Westwood, Harrison (loose forward version) in their individual positions BUT he can cover ALL of those positions better than any other player in the squad.

Clarke's inclusion back in the side )at the moment) would allow us to keep the backline sorted, i know bridge had a great game at the weekend but clarke would have slipped in at 7 with minimal tinkering to the 3/4's.

whether we'd have played as well, thats another question.

Here's one for the clarke haters though, its testimonial time next year.

I'm not sure we're marking Clarke from the same marking scheme neither. Most of the squad have improved hugely under Smith and are head & shoulders to what they were under Cull & Lowes. Who's to say that Clarke won't come back and up his game a notch or two like Grix, Bridge, Harrison etc ...

I think with Harrison now used solely as a prop (keeping Cooper out), it's Grix & Clarke sharing LF when he's back. When I say sharing, I mean days like Sunday - Clarke would be on the bench able to occupy spells at 13 & 9.

He'll be slated for every little mistake he makes too.

Jon Clarke is the new Mike Wainwright.

Wainwright was the new Jon Clarke!

Looking at him he's slimmed down far too much to play 13 effectively. For me he'll replace Higham or whichever of our halves is injured (pretty sure we've played a lot more withuot our first choice halves than we have with them)

how will he replace higham when he not good enough too

Clarke back in the 17 That would result in too much

Nice to see you again Mrs Higham!

Magic - My opinion is that Clarke is a poor player. He has no vision, no direction, he is always third man in a tackle. We wil go backwards if he gets back in the team. As a fan i would like nothing better than him prove me wrong!! On another point i think that the better the team plays the more it sticks out that we need a quality Loose Forward.

Wait until he is back & you will hopefully (along with many others) see what he does bring to the side. He's not a darting hooker like Roby or Monas. He gets to the play the ball and puts the ball into the hands of the forwards to gain ground. He's an unfussy player who does the hard graft and unfancy stuff so the fancy guys can throw it around. His support play is excellent, something sorely missing while Myler is out and his tackling is solid. Maybe he isn't always 1st into the tackle, but he's the man who organises the defensive line. Don't underestimate his worth to the team & he will greatly improve the balance when he returns.

Magic - As a fan I hope the team improves each time a player comes back.