I think, Brendan, that it just all depends on how an individual's mind works?
We may all react differently to various clues.......what is the expression..."One man's meat is another man's poison"?
Or something like that!
And it doesn't necessarily mean that the clue is cleverer or poorer....or , as some people seem to think if they cannot "solve" a clue, that the compiler has made an error or put forth a clumsy clue (!)
Simply that one's reaction to the clues will vary......