Having been awarded the Bristol Rovers’ Player of the Season award for the 2016/17 campaign, Ollie Clarke looks to be one of the most important players in Darrell Clarke’s side.

Here’s a look back at his time at the club, where he best fits in the team and praise from fellow professionals.

Where did it all start for Clarke? 

The Portishead-born midfielder progressed through Bristol Rovers’ youth academy from an early age, earning his first professional contract in 2009. However, Clarke did not receive any opportunity to reach the first team in his first year as a professional – meaning that he was sent on loan to Gloucester City, Mangotsfield United and Clevedon Town over the course of three years.

And, although Clarke made his debut for Rovers on the final day of the 2010/11 season, his hopes of first team football were soon slashed with an anterior cruciate ligament injury early into the 2011/12 pre-season campaign. Such a devastating injury left the midfielder out of action for several months.

Nevertheless, Clarke showed determination to return for the Pirates with his first goal in December 2013 versus Portsmouth. And, early into the 2014, Clarke’s impressive performances earned him a new two-year contract.

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Having made 144 appearances in all competitions for Rovers, Clarke has been vital in the club’s rise to League One. Not only that, but Clarke has become a much more familiar starter for the Gas. Last season, he played over 1,000 minutes more than he had in the Conference season (1,455) – meaning that his importance to the team is unquestionable.

How does formation affect Clarke?

Every Gashead will know that Darrell Clarke loves to keep opposing managers guessing. Whether it is through team or formation selection, the manager certainly has many tricks up his sleeve.

The way in which this affects central midfielders is perhaps different to other positions. Unlike wingers and full backs who may fit into just one formation, central midfielders are always vital to a strong Rovers team. Ollie Clarke is amongst a number of highly-rated midfielders including Stuart Sinclair, Chris Lines and new signing Liam Sercombe.

However, Clarke provides a mixture of attacking flair which is similar to Lines and Sercombe and the defensive discipline of Sinclair. As a result, when a midfield three is selected, the 25-year-old takes up a central midfield position that requires equal defensive and attacking responsibilities.

Alternatively, if the boss elects a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, Clarke has the versatility to play at either the base or tip of the diamond.

What is his best position?

Through the past three seasons under Darrell Clarke, the midfielder has mostly been deployed as a central midfielder with equal emphasis on defence and attack. Within this position, Clarke is able to make the most of his abilities as a hard tackler and hard-working player.

Moreover, Clarke has progressed as a player who understands his position much more than perhaps he did a few seasons ago. For instance, last season saw the midfielder intercept the ball many more times than he had done previously. His reading of the game – which has developed at an impressive rate – shows him to be one of the most important elements of Bristol Rovers’ team, at the heart of the midfield.

Therefore, there is no doubting that Clarke’s best position is central midfield. Indeed, he has the ability to play in defensive or attacking midfield positions but when placed in the centre of the park, Clarke can use his attributes to full effect.

Attacking contribution

Although Clarke has scored just 11 goals for Bristol Rovers, he certainly isn’t lacking on ability to score from distance. As all Rovers fans will know, he doesn’t score tap-ins.

In fact, Clarke scored impressively with his first goal for the club against Portsmouth in 2013. More recently, as fans may remember, Clarke belted home from 20 yards versus Newport County on what was, to say the least, a terrible playing surface.

One thing is for sure, if Clarke can chip in with a few more goals like that this season, then the Rovers fans will be more than delighted. As well, an improved goal tally could be valuable to the Gas’ promotion push by the end of the season.

Praise from teammates

Fellow midfielder, Lee Mansell, gave praise to Clarke back in March when he signed a new contract. Mansell told Bristol Post: “You wouldn’t look past him being able to hold his own at that level [Championship].”

With high praise from fellow professionals, there is no doubting that Ollie Clarke has a bright future ahead of him. Bristol Rovers fans will be hoping that the Championship standard Mansell alluded to will be in blue and white quarters in the coming seasons.

As for now, Clarke will remain one of the most important pieces of Darrell Clarke’s jigsaw. No matter where Clarke plays in the midfield, it appears that the coaching staff are able to get the very best from him.

And, indeed, Rovers fans will be hoping that he can progress even further this season in order to give the Gas every opportunity of reaching the play-off places.

Gasheads… how highly do you rate Ollie Clarke? Let me know in the comment section below! All likes, shares and comments are appreciated!