Bradford City midfielder Clayton on "skill" of in-game communication

The midfield warrior made an encouraging debut in the goalless duel with Stockport in midweek.

Clayton offered an immediate presence at the start of the short-term contract he signed following his Doncaster exit.

He also wasted no time in turning up the volume on the pitch.

The Bantams have been accused of being too quiet as a team at times - something that Clayton’s arrival will help to rectify.

The 34-year-old feels that being vocal is a vital part of the game that is often overlooked. It is also not easy to master.

"That's something I've prided myself on from probably 26 onwards,” said Clayton.

"Tony Pulis showed me what defensively you can do with your voice from that position and it's something I took on.

“I think I've got quite good at it and I quite enjoy it but it is a skill.

"It's not just like talking in the dressing room. You can be a loud, boisterous person and not know how to do that on the pitch. It's all about learning how and what and why.

"It's like learning how to pass. It's not just about being confident and loud; you've got to really learn it.

"If I could choose a skill to start again with at 15, that's probably what I'd choose.”

Clayton is 11 games short of reaching 500 in a career now in its 14th year. Being one of the main voices in the team comes easier from having that know-how behind him.

He added: "It comes with experience and you've got to feel like you've got the authority within the group.

“You might be a really good young player but you don't want to shout at one of the older players. But it's not that really.

"It's all about understanding. Hopefully that's something I can bring and make others do more.”

In-game communication is a “massive thing” for Mark Hughes, who wants players to be able to think on their feet and adapt effectively to changing situations.

“We talk time and time again, not only about general play but set-plays, it’s about getting organised early and you have to communicate,” said the City boss.

“You have to talk and shout on the pitch just to get yourself sorted. It makes a hard job easier if you are getting help and can impart help.

“Being able to communicate loudly, clearly, concisely and correctly is a massive thing for a player.

“I will always encourage that. The more guys you have that can take on responsibility and not only do their job but maybe 25-50 per cent of somebody else’s if they are having a bad time.

“It just gets players through. It’s important that we have good players who are able to do that.”

City captain Richie Smallwood is another vocal presence (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Hughes will welcome more noise in the ranks as the Bantams head towards the business end of the campaign and a promotion-defining final 20 games.

He wants to see that leadership in the heat of the battle that Clayton will look to add alongside the likes of skipper Richie Smallwood and Alex Gilliead.

“At times, I’ve felt we’ve maybe been a little bit quiet on the pitch in terms of organising. We just need more numbers to be more actively involved in that part of the game.

“Communication on the pitch is vital and if we can improve that aspect it will allow us to be more effective, in my view.

“Players will lead in different ways.

“Richie is a talker but he leads by example as well. Adam was someone who was always quite vocal.

“We’ve got other leaders in the group. Gilly is great in that regard, leading by example.

“We have got leadership but if you can add to it, as long with the ability of the player, then that’s a good thing.”

Hughes has noticed a change in the dressing room since he started out in management. Players are now likely to look more to their coaches for advice during games.

“There are always ways and means to make yourself heard.

“I think there is more of an onus on looking to the sideline rather than understanding what’s happening in a game.

“It’s quite difficult to recognise what the opposition are doing when you’re in the heat of a football match.

“You are trying to cope with what demands have been placed on you as an individual and it can be difficult. It takes a lot of talent and experience to recognise what is happening as you’re within the game.

“You don’t see a lot of players being able to understand what’s required at any given time. It becomes more prevalent that coaches and managers on the sideline have to sort things out from afar.

“You can improve that aspect of your team and hopefully players will step up and take up the slack.”

The rise in the number of foreign players, particularly in the Premier League, has meant managers have also had to adapt their approach.

Hughes saw that during his 14 years at the helm with six clubs in the top flight. But leaders can still emerge within the squad.

“When I was playing and starting managing, the make-up of the dressing room were predominantly British-based players,” he added.

“That’s not the case anymore. There’s a lot of diversity in it and managing the same and reacting to poor play is a little bit dangerous if you’ve got different cultures.

“Players from different countries with different attitudes take criticism in different ways.

“You have to learn and understand that and recognise it could be a problem if you just bowled in and managed like you did 15-20 years ago.

“It does change but it’s still about good leadership there.

“It’s not necessarily just British-based players that have that character.

“One of the best leaders I was ever involved with was Vincent Kompany.

“He came to these shores and straight away from the first moment I was in his company, I realised he was a guy who was going to lead people.

“You never know. You have to work and be around them to understand what they do.

“But if you have one, two, three or even more (leaders) in your group then that’s going to help you.”