Tottenham loanee Jack Clarke was an unused substitute for Stoke on Tuesday night as they recorded a goalless draw against Cardiff.
Michael O’Neill opted to drop the Tottenham speedster to the bench for last night’s game.
It was a decision a number of Stoke fans disagreed with because they thought the 20-year-old should have been starting.
Well, in the end, he didn’t even get on the pitch, but with games coming thick and fast in the Championship, he should be expected to be back in the starting XI for Derby’s visit on Saturday.
Or, at the very least, get on the pitch at some point if he doesn’t start.
Stoke aren’t exactly free-scoring in England’s second-tier, as they have found the back of the net four times during their last five games.
The last time they scored was during their 2-0 win at Wycombe and Clarke assisted on that day.
So, perhaps handing him another start is the way forward for Stoke, especially if they want to secure a top-six finish.
But that’s unlikely because they are 12 points behind sixth-placed Barnsley and a serious run, and a collapse from those in front of them, will only result in them finishing in the play-offs when the final ball is kicked.
Nonetheless, here is a selection of Stoke fans reacting to Clarke being dropped yesterday:
@goodallgeorgiaa: Thank **** Davies is back in but dropping Clarke is mind-boggling.
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