Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

[theworm2345]

If this Villa side can't turn their current form around I think you'll be shown to be incorrect on a couple of points there. I strongly suspect this Villa side, even with the exodus that would follow relegation, would walk the championship. I also suspect Clarke would do very well in the championship never mind merely cope there. He has enough skill and lord knows enough physicallity to his game to do just fine.
Probably been said before, but relegation could be the best thing for all of the young Irish players at Villa who seem to be on the fringe. Could definitely be on the cards too.

[Charlie Darwin]

Relegation means cutting costs, which could as easily mean the young Irish players being let go to protect the salaries of the higher earners.

[theworm2345]

Relegation means cutting costs, which could as easily mean the young Irish players being let go to protect the salaries of the higher earners.
Would depend on how they went about things. Some teams tear everything down and essentially start from scratch when relegated (Blackburn, to some extent) and some keep much of the same team (Wolves). I can't see any manager who brought them down staying around if they got relegated, so I would guess the former would be more likely. Lambert hasn't really given any of the Irish players too much of a shot, so him leaving doesn't seem like it would hurt their chances. Obviously guys like Benteke would be bought up quickly and I'm sure a certain bald-headed narcissist wouldn't take too kindly to life in the Championship himself.

[Charlie Darwin]

Lambert hasn't really given any of the Irish players too much of a shot, so him leaving doesn't seem like it would hurt their chances. Obviously guys like Benteke would be bought up quickly and I'm sure a certain bald-headed narcissist wouldn't take too kindly to life in the Championship himself.
Not sure why you think that. Although he's been somewhat forced by injuries, he's given Clark the captaincy and he's given Stevens his start in Premier League football and has stuck with him even when more experienced players were fit. He's also given Williams a debut and had Carruthers on the bench. That's quite a decent return for players at a club that big. It's the experienced players - Given and Ireland - who have been marginalised and that has been at least partly performance related, and possibly financial to an extent.

[theworm2345]

Not sure why you think that. Although he's been somewhat forced by injuries, he's given Clark the captaincy and he's given Stevens his start in Premier League football and has stuck with him even when more experienced players were fit. He's also given Williams a debut and had Carruthers on the bench. That's quite a decent return for players at a club that big. It's the experienced players - Given and Ireland - who have been marginalised and that has been at least partly performance related, and possibly financial to an extent.
I don't count Clark as he made his breakthrough under O'Neill. Stevens is one you could count, though he's only really made around five appearances (mainly due to injury). O'Neill also had Williams and Carruthers around the first team and on the bench, and I don't count one substitute appearance as a shot for Williams (or for Burke) when you look at some of the players who are playing regularly (Baker, Gardner, Bowery) who I think are all only a year older. He should at least let them go on loan if he's not going to use them as he did with Courtney Cameron and Daniel Johnson.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't count Clark as he made his breakthrough under O'Neill. Stevens is one you could count, though he's only really made around five appearances (mainly due to injury). O'Neill also had Williams and Carruthers around the first team and on the bench, and I don't count one substitute appearance as a shot for Williams (or for Burke) when you look at some of the players who are playing regularly (Baker, Gardner, Bowery) who I think are all only a year older. He should at least let them go on loan if he's not going to use them as he did with Courtney Cameron and Daniel Johnson.
Well you didn't say anything about breaking through - he had enough faith in Clark not to buy another centre half, and he had enough faith in him to make him captain ahead of older players like Guzan. And Baker, Gardner and Bowery all have more experience than Williams, and may just be that bit further ahead in their development than him.

[the doc]

Thought Clark was tremendous against Bradford tonight.

[Condex]

Thought Clark was tremendous against Bradford tonight.

You havin a laugh..
One of the crappiest center halfs in the premiership..

Shocking!!!

[Paddy Garcia]

You havin a laugh..


I think its the lowest form of wit actually....

[the doc]

You havin a laugh..
One of the crappiest center halfs in the premiership..

Shocking!!!

Shame on you!

Don't you know everyone on here thinks he's a great CB.

The way he lets the CF run off him and get free headers is world class.

[The Fly]

Thought Clark was tremendous against Bradford tonight.

Does your attention ever wander from the Clark and Trapattoni related threads?

[Charlie Darwin]

Clark did have a poor game, or rather he oscillated between quality and amateur defending. He was the best of a bad bunch though - Baker was absolutely atrocious, particularly for the second goal.

[Condex]

Clark did have a poor game, or rather he oscillated between quality and amateur defending. He was the best of a bad bunch though - Baker was absolutely atrocious, particularly for the second goal.

Watched whole match and I didnt see this quality defending you mention.
He oscillated between bad and terrible..

FFS they were playing against a 3rd division team and he looked poor.
We are all looking for quality players that can play for Ireland but Clark will be not one of them.

[Carrigaline]

Clark had a stinker alright, but in fairness, he wasn't helped by playing with three other stooges.

[Charlie Darwin]

Watched whole match and I didnt see this quality defending you mention.
He oscillated between bad and terrible..

FFS they were playing against a 3rd division team and he looked poor.
We are all looking for quality players that can play for Ireland but Clark will be not one of them.
He dealt with a few crosses quite well, but got mullered on some others. His distribution was quite good - considering he had nobody showing for the ball in midfield, his diagonal balls up to the strikers were all that was on and they were usually very accurate.

[the doc]

On a serious note, this can't be good for Clarks confidence playing in a team thats poor in terms of quality and experience.

To be fair Clark needs a few experienced players around him to tell him when to go and when to stay in addition to cover for him when he goes missing through lack of experience.

He could do with taking a rest out if the side but not much chance of that with Villas lack of players available.

The worry now is that he may not recover from this experience, he's not a bad player, nowhere near the finished article and nowhere near as good as many on here make him out to be.

That's not his fault though, all players have bad games or a run of bad results, how they come back from them is the difference.

I hope he can rise above all this and get back to learning his trade without all the hype.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that every player in the Premiership are something special, some are but most aren't.

Vastly over rated league not helped by Sky constantly brainwashing everyone everyday telling us how good it is.

Who cares about that anyhow my main concern is our national team and our players so feck em!

[DeLorean]

FFS they were playing against a 3rd division team and he looked poor.

4th Division team (and only 8th).

[gastric]

On a serious note, this can't be good for Clarks confidence playing in a team thats poor in terms of quality and experience.

To be fair Clark needs a few experienced players around him to tell him when to go and when to stay in addition to cover for him when he goes missing through lack of experience.

He could do with taking a rest out if the side but not much chance of that with Villas lack of players available.

The worry now is that he may not recover from this experience, he's not a bad player, nowhere near the finished article and nowhere near as good as many on here make him out to be.

That's not his fault though, all players have bad games or a run of bad results, how they come back from them is the difference.

I hope he can rise above all this and get back to learning his trade without all the hype.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that every player in the Premiership are something special, some are but most aren't.

Vastly over rated league not helped by Sky constantly brainwashing everyone everyday telling us how good it is.

Who cares about that anyhow my main concern is our national team and our players so feck em!
The only positive of of a big negative is that Dunne could get a new contract as he is the obvious player to stabilise a very shaky defence. Clark was captain against Bradford and his confidence is too shaken for him to offer real leadership. Villa would also benefit from buying a tough, physical, experienced holding midfielder who could boss what was a very ineffectual midfield.

[Colbert Report]

The only positive of of a big negative is that Dunne could get a new contract as he is the obvious player to stabilise a very shaky defence. Clark was captain against Bradford and his confidence is too shaken for him to offer real leadership. Villa would also benefit from buying a tough, physical, experienced holding midfielder who could boss what was a very ineffectual midfield.

Dunne likely won't play for Villa ever again.

[AlaskaFox]

The only positive of of a big negative is that Dunne could get a new contract as he is the obvious player to stabilise a very shaky defence. Clark was captain against Bradford and his confidence is too shaken for him to offer real leadership. Villa would also benefit from buying a tough, physical, experienced holding midfielder who could boss what was a very ineffectual midfield.

A holding midfielder is what Villa need most of all. No protection and no outlet other than hoofball for Clark.

[Charlie Darwin]

Then it's a ball-playing midfielder, not a holding midfielder, they need.

[SkStu]

Clark can play midfield...

[Predator]

Then it's a ball-playing midfielder, not a holding midfielder, they need.How about a ball-playing, holding midfielder?

[tetsujin1979]

how about a ball-holding playing-midfielder?
err, on second thoughts, maybe not

[AlaskaFox]

They need both, and 7 other new players in fairness. Clark can stay.

[Kingdom]

Is Clark predominantly left-footed? I thought he was and I notice he has been on the right side of the two centre halves. Now whatever about the old " 30k-a-week-should-be-able-to-kick-with-both-feet" argument, I always like to see a right sided centre back and a left sided centre back play on their stronger foot.

[DannyInvincible]

Is Clark predominantly left-footed?

He is. Indeed, he has two left feet. :p

[CraftyToePoke]

Focusing on the positives

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21025949

[Stuttgart88]

Dunne likely won't play for Villa ever again.There's been a lot of talk on the radio recerntly about Dunne being the player they are missing most and that his return in a few weeks will be very welcome.

[SkStu]

how about a ball-holding playing-midfielder?
err, on second thoughts, maybe not

Like this? We missed out iirc... :)

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Gazza.jpg

[Manblue]

The more I see him the more I have to agree with Doc unfortunately.

Positioning poor again tonight, no a leader (yet), very rash tackler...not the long term solution

[the doc]

The more I see him the more I have to agree with Doc unfortunately.

Positioning poor again tonight, no a leader (yet), very rash tackler...not the long term solution

Thought he was just like Beckenbauer in his pomp tonight.

Everyone eventually ends up agreeing with me in the end, I know my football and can spot a Dud when I see one!

[Charlie Darwin]

I was impressed Clark was passing the ball tonight instead of aimlessly lumping it like the first leg, but once Bradford scored, all leadership was lost and he ended up pumping in endless diagonal balls to Bent and Benteke. Clark is a good, good player but he needs experienced players around him to talk to him because he's not making good decisions. Vlaar isn't that, and they badly need Dunne back.

Ironically, I think Clark would fare very well alongside a leader like the doc, if only he'd give him a chance.

[the doc]

I was impressed Clark was passing the ball tonight instead of aimlessly lumping it like the first leg, but once Bradford scored, all leadership was lost and he ended up pumping in endless diagonal balls to Bent and Benteke. Clark is a good, good player but he needs experienced players around him to talk to him because he's not making good decisions. Vlaar isn't that, and they badly need Dunne back.

Ironically, I think Clark would fare very well alongside a leader like the doc, if only he'd give him a chance.

I think Villa fans who watch him regularly should know more than we do about him.

http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=48748.60#msg2240595

[DannyInvincible]

Just reading the latest page of that thread (page 5) and the criticism is pretty damning.

[Paddy Garcia]

I think Villa fans who watch him regularly should know more than we do about him.

http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=48748.60#msg2240595

I found that forum somewhat crude.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm sure you could find many threads from earlier in the season where they talk about how good he is. Club forums are generally quite fickle. When his form picks up the same people will be saying they never doubted him for a second.

[SkStu]

Irrespective of his current or past form, a couple of fools here need to drop their needless agenda as it relates to him. Quite pathetic. Worse than the british tabloids...

[the doc]

Irrespective of his current or past form, a couple of fools here need to drop their needless agenda as it relates to him. Quite pathetic. Worse than the british tabloids...

Why is someone a fool if they have a different opinion to another poster?

Most people on here were making out he was they next Paul McGrath, when in reality he's just another Alex Bruce type of player.

Harsh but true!

[SkStu]

Nobody was making that out. That is a figment of your imagination. Thereby, foolish, some would say.

[the doc]

Oh well enough of all this!
We have important qualifying games to win against Sweden and Austria, so lets get behind the boys in green.
I will be there giving it 100%
Will you?

[Yard of Pace]

I'm sure you could find many threads from earlier in the season where they talk about how good he is. Club forums are generally quite fickle. When his form picks up the same people will be saying they never doubted him for a second.

Club forums aren't worth an absolute damn, imo, unless you find a poster who talks sense (very difficult when most of them have a gigantic amount of posters). The English team I support....for every ten people who'll say one thing, another ten will disagree with them. And this about pretty much EVERYTHING. They're madhouses. I look in on the Hibs one usually also. One week Paddy Fenlon is the greatest manager in Scotland and needs to be protected from being poached by an English club, the next his lot can't beat Ross County and he's out of his depth and not the man for the job.

[SkStu]

Oh well enough of all this!
We have important qualifying games to win against Sweden and Austria, so lets get behind the boys in green.
I will be there giving it 100%
Will you?

110%. :)

[paul_oshea]

He wont be there, but he will be giving it 110% Doc, thats what he is saying.

[SkStu]

My life has reached an all time low... Paul O'Shea clarifies one of my posts... ;)

[SwanVsDalton]

I think Villa fans who watch him regularly should know more than we do about him.

http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=48748.60#msg2240595

Yup. Trustworthy opinion. A bunch of flip flopping keyboard warriors most of whom watch MOTD or a thumbnail size choppy screen and would write Paul McGrath off after a poor game.

Clark can play, even if he is inexperienced, raw and tottering on the deck of a sinking ship. Whether he's finished ala James McClean remains to be seen.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yup. Trustworthy opinion. A bunch of flip flopping keyboard warriors most of whom watch MOTD or a thumbnail size choppy screen and would write Paul McGrath off after a poor game.

Clark can play, even if he is inexperienced, raw and tottering on the deck of a sinking ship. Whether he's finished ala like James McClean remains to be seen.
Shane Duffy's finished too now.

[the doc]

Yup. Trustworthy opinion. A bunch of flip flopping keyboard warriors most of whom watch MOTD or a thumbnail size choppy screen and would write Paul McGrath off after a poor game.
.

A case of the Kettle calling the Pot black here me thinks.

[ifk101]

A case of the Kettle calling the Pot black here me thinks.

Aye yes the reported Preston fan that holds Villa and Leicester City season tickets. Life long Irish fan since 2009 to boot.

[SwanVsDalton]

Shane Duffy's finished too now.

Once they hit 21, they're a lost cause.


A case of the Kettle calling the Pot black here me thinks.

I'm not the one submitting internet forums as 'Exhibit A' in the 'Ciaran Clark is Alex Bruce in disguise' argument.