Ball backs Clarke after disappointing QPR debut
Dominic Ball has backed his new team-mate Jack Clarke to make an impact for QPR this season.
The 19-year-old, who recently joined the R’s on loan from Tottenham, made his full debut in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.
Although Clarke struggled to affect the game before being replaced by Bright-Osayi Samuel, Ball is hopeful he can have a role to play in the latter half of the campaign.
He said: “It takes time for everyone to settle into a different club, different style of football.
“Clarkey is a young lad, he’s moved away from home for the first time. There’s a lot you’ve got to consider that people maybe do not see.
“As a squad of players – the squad, the coaches, the players – we all want him to perform. The team needs him to perform to be effective.
“Some of the things [Clarke tried] didn’t work but you could see when he gets on the ball and he’s running one-versus-one, he looks a threat. I’m looking forward to playing with Clarkey.”
Ball also insisted the team is a good environment for Clarke to produce, having only made three appearances this season after having spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Leeds United.
Having been sold by Leeds to Spurs, he returned to the Yorkshire club on loan but his lack of game time led to the season-long deal being terminated.
Ball added: “I think we’re a very welcoming squad of players. We’re quite tight-knit, there’s a good team spirit, so when you come into it you know you are welcomed. Everyone wants to contribute on the pitch.
“Training has been good, he’s a really good lad and, hopefully, he can really do a lot of good things for us.”
26/01/2020 @ 4:21 pm
Well if he IS a £15m player, he will improve as time progresses. No good accessing him after one game.