Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

[seanfhear]

Once upon a time a Journalist ( I know not which one ) was going to race Mick McCarthy ( when he was playing obviously ) to see who was fastest and perhaps a wager.

I think Big Jack got wind of it and put a stop to it.

This is a story that was wafting about once upon a time. Perhaps some more learned colleagues on such matters could enlighten us more as to the veracity of the story ?

[irishfan86]

The42 has a few lines on it here. Hand was manager and actually set the race up:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.the42.ie/mick-mccarthy-lyon-4480685-Feb2019/%3famp=1

[Trequartista20]

Clark's no slouch. Not sure where the opposite view originates from.

[seanfhear]

The42 has a few lines on it here. Hand was manager and actually set the race up:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.the42.ie/mick-mccarthy-lyon-4480685-Feb2019/%3famp=1
Did Mick Pull something in the race ? Cheers for the info !

[John83]

Clark's no slouch. Not sure where the opposite view originates from.
It's definitely something I've read rather than observed, but maybe I'm confusing him with someone else.

[paul_oshea]

We'll have an 11 of Centre backs yet.

[seanfhear]

We'll have an 11 of Centre backs yet.
Back in the day we would play an odd one in midfield. Admittedly they were high quality. Paul McGrath played in midfield for us as did Mark Lawrenson. Two class players. There must be other examples that I can’t think of offhand ! !

[Razors left peg]

Back in the day we would play an odd one in midfield. Admittedly they were high quality. Paul McGrath played in midfield for us as did Mark Lawrenson. Two class players. There must be other examples that I can’t think of offhand ! !

Dont forget the great Cyrus Christie, not a center half but a defender!

[seanfhear]

Dont forget the great Cyrus Christie, not a center half but a defender!
I must have a good heart. I only remember the success's. I think it does go to show how football has moved on that it is unlikely that even two greats like Lawrenson and McGrath could do a job in midfield today ~ impossible to prove though !

[John83]

I must have a good heart. I only remember the success's. I think it does go to show how football has moved on that it is unlikely that even two greats like Lawrenson and McGrath could do a job in midfield today ~ impossible to prove though !
There are still players who move between those lines. Fernandinho at Man City, Fabinho at Liverpool, Mascherano who played defence for Barcelona after a midfield role at Liverpool, even Declan Rice has dabbled in both roles. Hell, Keane moved to central defence towards the end at Man Utd. Usually it's a defensive midfielder who moves back rather than a defender stepping forward, but it happens.

[Charlie Darwin]

Back in the day we would play an odd one in midfield. Admittedly they were high quality. Paul McGrath played in midfield for us as did Mark Lawrenson. Two class players. There must be other examples that I can’t think of offhand ! !
Clark's first season at Aston Villa was in midfield as well, wasn't it? Maybe he could have kicked on there.

[elatedscum]

McGrath could still do that in today’s game. If you asked Virgil Van Dijk to play centre midfield, I think he’d be great... he’s a better centre half but he’s such a good footballer that he could easily convert...

As for centre backs who played other positions, Gary Doherty was a centre half who played centre forward, or maybe a centre forward who played centre back...

[elatedscum]

Joey O’Brien who’s a centre half now, play in centre midfield under Stan and really struggled. John O’Shea also played a few games there and plenty at left back before settling in the centre under Trap.

Am I right in saying Stan ended his career for Ireland playing centre half during the World Cup? That’s my memory. He definitely played some early games for ireland on the wing, with Irwin behind him...

[Charlie Darwin]

To be fair, I don't think Joey would be a centre half in a back four for Rovers. He plays a similar role to Basham at Sheffield United, right side of a back three and overlaps the wing back.

And Stan did play CH in the 2002 World Cup. Was selected there ahead of Cunningham, Dunne and O'Shea, who didn't make the squad.

[elatedscum]

Dunne definitely made the squad but guess he never played. I have a ticket to Ireland against Spain signed by Quinner, Stan and Dunne.

The person who asked for me wanted the two retirees but Richie was sitting on the same row on the plane back home as Quinn and Stan, so he felt awkward saying “not you, Richie”. Thankfully Richie turned out to be a better defender than everyone realised at the time...

EDIT: Just re-read that: “and O’Shea, who didn’t make the squad”. Thought that was referring to everyone, not just O’Shea

[Fixer82]

Joey O’Brien who’s a centre half now, play in centre midfield under Stan and really struggled. John O’Shea also played a few games there and plenty at left back before settling in the centre under Trap.
.

Think he only played a couple of games in CM under Stan (when Jonathan Douglas was injured perhaps?) and did well in one and struggled in the following game but that was against Germany in Croke Park. A night where Andy Reid lit the place up with his range of passing and Robbie missed a golden opportunity at the end to win it with a header.

[Charlie Darwin]

Dunne definitely made the squad but guess he never played. I have a ticket to Ireland against Spain signed by Quinner, Stan and Dunne.

The person who asked for me wanted the two retirees but Richie was sitting on the same row on the plane back home as Quinn and Stan, so he felt awkward saying “not you, Richie”. Thankfully Richie turned out to be a better defender than everyone realised at the time...

EDIT: Just re-read that: “and O’Shea, who didn’t make the squad”. Thought that was referring to everyone, not just O’Shea
Yeah, sorry, I probably should have put that in brackets to be clear. Glad you didn't miss out on a Richie autograph!

[Fixer82]

Dunne and Andy O'Brien were the two CBs who saw no action in WC 2002

[Bielsa´s irish]

World class performance today. Played with panache!!

[Bielsa´s irish]

Played for himself and for that awful left back jamal lewis, great leadership so far

[tetsujin1979]

Bielsa, learn how to edit your posts if you want to add anything.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Bielsa, learn how to edit your posts if you want to add anything.
ok I'll be more careful

[Charlie Darwin]

Played for himself and for that awful left back jamal lewis, great leadership so far
I didn't see the game but Lewis is generally quality.

[Bielsa´s irish]

I didn't see the game but Lewis is generally quality.

this guy did everything wrong, until Bruce got tired replaced after 50 minutes, bad positioning, awful centering to the box, was a liability, ....worst player on the pitch

[Charlie Darwin]

this guy did everything wrong, until Bruce got tired replaced after 50 minutes, bad positioning, awful centering to the box, was a liability, ....worst player on the pitch
Probably just a bad game then. I'd say he's the best granny-ruler the north have got in years, probably since Maik Taylor.

[irishfan86]

I like Lewis but he was switched off today and at fault for West Brom’s goal. Clark was solid but quite frankly West Brom didn’t push him enough to elicit a “world class” performance.

Clark is definitely among our better defenders though and is good with the ball at his feet. If we’re playing four at the back for World Cup qualifying and plan to proceed with this play out from the back system, an Egan-Clark central partnership might be our best bet.

[Demesne Lad]

Newcastle's result stats are better when Clark starts. As for Jamal Piaras Lewis, at 22 he may yet develop into a safe full-back. As a wing-back, he is showy but 80% of the time he turns back and no useful cross or pass ensues.

[Bielsa´s irish]

world class performance again great gutsy leadership so far

[elatedscum]

Thought Clark was very good tonight

[seanfhear]

Is Duffys place ( Irish Team ) under pressure ~ ~ It probably should be.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Egan's place is under pressure too. Clark has been great this year and very good tonight as well.

Would add a calm presence as well as a left sided option too.

[Olé Olé]

He was very good tonight, yep. Great man marking job a few times on Salah and had a great headed effort saved by Alisson.

[Demesne Lad]

Crystal Palace interested in Londoner Clark; Bruce hoping to offer a good enough contract to keep him(InsideFutbol.com, 4 Jan.)

[Snapshot]

Underrated and unappreciated player by Irish fans. Would make a good captain in Coleman's absence. Our strongest defence (currently) would be O'Shea-Egan-Clark, with Stevens and Doherty the wing-backs in 3-5-2 format. All proven players, all in EPL. Unlikely I know (3-5-2), Kenny appears superglued to 433 or 442.

[Fixer82]

He's had moments where he's lost his composure (Belgium in the Euros being one that springs to mind, Sweden in the Euros to a lesser extent) and made rash decisions.
i think he's a more mature player now.

[tetsujin1979]

Two year contract extension for Clark at Newcastle: https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/ciaran-clark-signs-new-contract-at-st-james-park/
Needs four more appearances in the Premier League to pass Steven Reid as the Irish player with the 30th most appearances in the PL

[Bielsa´s irish]

shickingly announced to be playing as a right side center back today vs Chelsea. Could replace Duffy there

[ColourfulPeanut]

Yeah I'm sure it'll be plastered all over the front page news in Argentina tomorrow and the fallout of the announcement will reverberate for months to come across South America.

He's playing on the left though with Lascelles on the right.

[Fixer82]

how did he do? other than losing 2-0?

[Eirambler]

He was fine tonight I thought. The least of Newcastle's issues.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Clark was solid and has been good all year. I'm probably biased as a Newcastle fan but he's always done great for the club and his new deal reflects that.

If he's fit then he's our best centre back. It's a no brainer to start him with the injury and form problems to consider.

It's an unproven duo but I'd go for O'Shea and Clark. With Doherty/Coleman and Stevens, then that's a legit Premier League back 4.

[Snapshot]

Clark was solid and has been good all year. I'm probably biased as a Newcastle fan but he's always done great for the club and his new deal reflects that.

If he's fit then he's our best centre back. It's a no brainer to start him with the injury and form problems to consider.

It's an unproven duo but I'd go for O'Shea and Clark. With Doherty/Coleman and Stevens, then that's a legit Premier League back 4.
I agree. Best case scenario for me would be three CBs (O'Shea-Egan-Clark). But that's a no-no for Kenny. So, if Egan is out, it should be Clark-O'Shea. I feel sorry for Shane Duffy, but on current form and strategy his inclusion could backfire badly. If Kenny had the balls to drop Coleman he'll surely drop Duffy. We'll be under the pump in Belgrade - the last thing we need is a slow CB with the wobbles.

[Colbert Report]

Starts today against Aston Villa. Jeff Hendrick on the bench. Surely, if fit, Clark must start against Serbia?

[Diggs246]

Starts today against Aston Villa. Jeff Hendrick on the bench. Surely, if fit, Clark must start against Serbia?

Completely. But you never know. He might stick with duffy and go with o shea as he knows what he gives etc

[Colbert Report]

Nightmare own goal for Clark, who failed to close down Watkins and ended up scoring a bizarre own goal from a header that went off his knee and into the top corner.

[Snapshot]

Nightmare own goal for Clark, who failed to close down Watkins and ended up scoring a bizarre own goal from a header that went off his knee and into the top corner.
A bit harsh on Clark. Excellent otherwise.

[Charlie Darwin]

He did lose Watkins to be fair, but it was great movement.

[irishfan86]

Strong game for Clark. I’d call the own goal unlucky as much as anything.

[Demesne Lad]

Interesting/provocative blog (14 March) on NUFCBlog.co.uk 'The unsung heroes of the Mike Ashley era', i.e. the last 14 years. Manager, starting 11 plus subs.
Manager = Chris Hughton (NUFC were 14th in the PL when he was sacked), Centre-back = Ciaran Clark, Leon Best and Daryl Murphy among the 5 subs.

[Snapshot]

Clark seems the fall guy for poor distribution against Luxembourg. I disagree - he was constantly forced into poor-percentage passes by static and predictable midfielders easily covered by Luxembourg. And, dutifully, he avoided the hoof.
Yeah, I know, 24 hours to provide stats. Pass.