S-Clarke

Jacob’s arrival at Chelsea in 2007 was another of those deals that attracted more media attention than your average academy signing. Because he’d already played for Sheffield United’s reserve team at the age of 15, and because the reported fee was in the region of £1.5m, all eyes were on him. From the first time he appeared in a blue shirt, onlookers could see why Chelsea wanted to bring him to London. Born in Nottingham and coming through the same youth set-up as Jermaine Jenas, it’s no surprise that the Spurs and England midfielder is Jacob’s role model and idol. They even bear a physical resemblance. His best position is the same attacking central midfield role, although he can also play on the right if needed, and over the course of his first year at Chelsea was also tried at centre-back, with surprising success. In his first showing in blue against Malmo in pre-season he was breathtakingly good, and was also impressive against Swindon. He quickly became a regular in the line-up and whilst it took him a while to find the back of the net, over the middle period of the season he netted crucial goals in big games, and made a big impact on Chelsea’s run to the FA Youth Cup Final. When he plays in attacking midfield he’s given the license to drive into the penalty area in much the same way as Frank Lampard does. Comfortable on either foot and with a decent shot, defenders have to account for him, but his vision and touch allows him to use other players from dangerous positions. At centre-back, he’s clearly not at home but was trusted with the role in the second leg of the FA Youth Cup Semi Finals at Aston Villa, and did a good job. His ball-playing skills from such a deep role allow Chelsea to build moves from deep, and whilst it’s not ever going to be a permanent role, it’s a useful position to have on your CV. Becoming a reserve regular in 2008/09, his season started with injury problems but finished with a flourish, with excellent performances for the second string, and regularly finding the back of the net. His improvements didn’t go unnoticed, and he was named as a Premier League substitute for Chelsea’s home game against Everton. As he continues to impress, professional football at some level must be the next step.

Chelski fans seem to rate him, from their forum...

. Explain to me, how being one of their highly rated youngsters, he is a reject?

True - everything is agreed in principle, the WP issue is genuine.

He played in their Europea thingy games last week.

He's a right winger, used to play as an attacking right sided full back. So a good signing in a position we're short in. Well done Wilkins on this one...

Got any links?

First i've heard of it. I reckon he'll move on to a championship team. (although same could have been said of Lambert...) Where have you heard this btw? You're not making friends with the Gills fans now are you??

that OS article was the best.... ''We've had to loan out Saganoswki & Rasiak because we have a log jam of strikers...comprising of a bunch of kids''

They've signed a good player today tbf (vanden bore), was very very highly rated a few years back and was linked with the big boys. Still don't think it'll be enough o keep them up, so next season should be a laugh..!

Who? FWIW he will be off.

He's going to MK Dons

I hope so. I think Pard's has been playing this deal down just to keep his profile low. It's been well known (Well from what i've been told anyway) that he's been training with the team and has been around staplewood for a few weeks. No one else has been rumored to be close to signing him, which means him and his agent must be keen to close the deal here. He really would be a cracking signing and backs up what Pard's said in his preview ''he wants to sign a CB that raises the game for the entire team...''

+1!!!! agree 110%. Width and pace wins you games, getting in behind teams opens up opportunity. Lumping the ball forward and playing through the middle creates a 'hopeful'' game. i.e - lucky goals and not enough wins to storm the league.

Agree. Or why not even Billy Sharp too? I think we can sleep soundly that if/when Rasiak does unfortunately go - we will replace him with as good a replacement as possible. I think Pard's is building a team that can take us through the leagues, rather than just 1 or 2 seasons. If you build around the likes of Morgan/Lallana/Harding/Lambert - then add 1 or 2 a season then you're always going to be improving.

I think we'll lose 1 of the Poles and with the news i heard today that we've accepted a bid for Greg - it may be him. I agree, if one of the Poles goes we need another striker - i think Pard's will realise that too. He didn't mention about that in the interview though, just that both ''Poles'' have got the motivation to leave. I think it's 3 signings with the squad as it is atm...but if we lose 1, we'll replace. I still have the hunch that the midfielder is Racon, although it could be a certain Matt Holland...

I just read his post-match views, jesus - all you need to do is swap Scotland for Southampton and it's a carbon copy of what he said here. He does have the makings of a good coach, i rated him for how he got us playing at times....but you do really have to question his player management - it's questionable to say the least

I've just been watching Pard's preview on SaintsTV...quite interesting. He wants 3 more players signed before the end of the window and 1 in before Saturday (we all knew that..) Priority is still CB...but what I found interesting is what he said about this. We're running 5 lines of enquires...it's very hard to get the right player - but He's looking to get a CB in that puts pressure on all the defenders at the club and raises the game for the team. If not Jaidi...I wonder who? Sounds like it could be another ''high profile'' name. Also mentioned that he could have signed a ‘younger’ striker for the same kind of Fee as Lambert. Possibly Tom Craddock at Luton? He made the right decision tbf.

---------------------Davis-------------------- Murty-------Perry-------Thomo-------Harding James-----Schnerderlin----*New* ----Holmes --------------------Lallana------------------- ------------------- Lambert---------- Don't think Rasiak will play on Saturday because of the interest in him, and i think we'll have another decent signing by Sat - a good enough player to go straight in as well IMO.

I wouldn't off load Olly completely, i'd loan him to a lower league club. Somewhere like Bournemouth, or even the blue square. He just needs 1 season with week in week out football to learn the trade.

He wasn't that bad for us towards the end of the season tbh, one of our better players. I don't think he's quite premiership quality though....

Heard earlier that we've accepted a bid for Greg as he's 'expressed'' an interest to go - not sure how true it is. I really hope he stays...rather him that Saga imo.

He could have joined them...but he's ours!!!! Feels great saying that...

It's nice to see that you are making some new friends on there though, maybe you can all meet up when we visit the valley.

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