Dan Neil makes one-word admission on Jack Clarke’s Sunderland exit
Dan Neil has shared an admission following Jack Clarke’s move from Sunderland to Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window.
After months of speculation, Clarke made the move to Premier League side Ipswich on 24 August in a deal worth a reported £15million [East Anglian Daily Times].
Losing Clarke late in the window was a huge blow for the Black Cats, although that is not reflected in their form as they have won four league games from four.
Asked about Clarke’s recent exit from the Stadium of Light, Neil told BBC Radio 5 Live [4 September] he found it “tough”.
Neil added: “I think, first of all, as a person, he was absolutely brilliant. He got on with all the lads and he was really good to have around the dressing room.
“But again, as a footballer, he was a bit of the maverick in our team last year and the year before, where anything could happen when you get Jack the ball.”
Sunderland learning to cope without Jack Clarke
In an ideal world, Sunderland would have kept hold of Clarke in the hope he could be the difference-maker in pursuit of promotion.
However, when a Premier League side comes calling, one that is able to splash out £15m on a player, it is hard to do much.
Clarke is good enough to play in the top flight and he will now get another opportunity to showcase his talents in that division.
But the show most go on as far as Sunderland are concerned, and the signs since Clarke left have certainly been positive.
Indeed, the Black Cats were three goals up inside an hour in last weekend’s 3-1 win away at Portsmouth.
That is not to say Clarke will not be missed as the season goes on, but Regis Le Bris appears to have the options to at least ensure the exit is not a disaster.
Here’s to hoping Sunderland will be competing in the same division as Clarke come next August.
In other Sunderland news, it has emerged the club missed out on signing a former Liverpool player last month.
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