Forest Green boss Robbie Savage hailed Jayden Clarke after he pulled the strings in an unfamiliar midfield role.
Clarke excelled in the No.6 position during Rovers’ 3-2 opening-day victory over FC Halifax Town, with the 25-year-old, who joined from Gillingham last season, looking right at home in his new role.
Savage admitted it was a bold decision to deploy the player, who wears the number four shirt, in front of the defence – but believes Clarke has all the attributes to thrive there.
Savage beamed: “I thought Jayden Clarke was outstanding and was the best player on the pitch.
“It was brave to put him in there because he’s got number four on his back. I saw something in Jaden last season and thought, ‘Do you know what? He can play as a four, he can play as a six.’
“Not many people would have thought it, but again, my knowledge of players is that he’s got all the attributes. He works so hard, he’s dynamic, he uses the ball well, he can pass it, he gets about the pitch and he can tackle.
“I thought he was the best player in the park. Not many people would have put Jayden Clarke down as their number six, dictating the play, but I believed in him, and he got his reward and he was magnificent.”
