Clarke reveals why he's catching eye of suitors

Matt Clarke believes stepping up to League One has allowed his game to shine.
Matt Clarke, left. Picture: Joe PeplerMatt Clarke, left. Picture: Joe Pepler
Matt Clarke, left. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Pompey defender is again thriving this season and has come to the attention of a host of clubs with his impressive form.

Clarke has detected certain differences from the fourth tier of the English game which has allowed him to stand out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A number of Championship and Premier League clubs are said to have recognised the 21-year-old’s form.

Clarke stressed he wasn’t affording that speculation too much attention, however, with no bids placed for the former Ipswich man.

He said: ‘The football is different in League One.

‘In League Two it’s sometimes hard to stand out because of the way the football is. There’s the way teams play and the pitches.

‘So maybe I’m more suited to League One. I’m just doing what I always have done, though.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘For me right now there’s nothing better than playing football week-in, week-out - and I’m getting that here.

‘I’m contracted here and whatever action they take is what they take.

‘Of course there were rumours flying around but until there’s a bid, concrete bids which are realistic to Portsmouth, it doesn’t make any difference.’

Despite Clarke’s praise, there’s progress to be made for Pompey as a defensive unit with clean sheets recently hard to come by.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Clarke feels the fact it’s individual rather than collective mistakes means improvements are on the horizon

He said: ‘It’s just individual errors. People aren’t getting their men.

‘It’s something which has happened many times to myself.

‘You know if it’s your man straightaway and there’s nothing you can then do about it. It’s frustrating.

‘We’ve just got to stick to our jobs. And if we do our jobs over the next few games we’ll stop conceding.’