Clerics dodging skill maxes out at Very Good where a meelee classes dodging skill can raise much higher. In addition meelee classes gain parry, riposte and disarm. Meelee classes also receive double attack and in some cases duel wield, bash, slam and kick. This is not only a problem with clerics and combat but with all other casters other than hybrids. The ability to dawn powerful armor such as platemail is definately a plus but it also makes decisions tough on a cleric.
Plate armor is extremely expensive.
Clerics are the only non-hybrid casting class which has to not only buy spells but also has to save money up for plate mail at the higher levels. This can make a clerics life one of poverty. As with all other priest classes clerics gain the channeling skill at level 4. Channeling allows you to regain your concentration and continue casting a spell if you have been hit in the middle of casting your spell. This does not always work and will work very seldomly at first.