Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

Clark is going to be a very good premiership player and a very good player for us in time. Right now, he looks what he is, a young defender with talent playing in a godawful team (some very promising players albeit), in the cruellest of positions to be inexperienced. He would thrive beside an experienced premiership player, but it says it all about Villa that Clark has been their captain over the past couple of games. Is it any wonder they lie in the position that they are in.

From an Irish perspective, it might not be a disaster if Villa went down. There are a few lads like Drennan and Carruthers who would probably break into the team and get their chance in the Championship and I would rather them play for a team with confidence and challenging for promotion, than breaking into a team getting thumped 3-0 at home to Wigan.

Clark's got the makings of a good player but needs time and the benefit of a stronger player beside him. SSL's a fine player too but arguably also needs a stronger ball-winner. The "Cack" stuff is childish nonsense and if this is indicative of the relationship between key players in our squad then we've got bigger probalems than I thought.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Clark's got the makings of a good player but needs time and the benefit of a stronger player beside him. SSL's a fine player too but arguably also needs a stronger ball-winner. The "Cack" stuff is childish nonsense and if this is indicative of the relationship between key players in our squad then we've got bigger probalems than I thought.

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I think there's a great team spirit amongst the players but I doubt they would take too kindly to some nutter kicking senior players up in the air in training.

Happy New Year.

If 2012 was any indication, a kick in the @ss might do some of them fellas more good than harm. G'wan Ciaran.

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Originally Posted by the doc

I think there's a great team spirit amongst the players but I doubt they would take too kindly to some nutter kicking senior players up in the air in training.

Happy New Year.

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As Roy Keane said, you come to training and give 100%
If it worked for Roy...

clark looking like an unbelievable liability so far today...should be 5 down seriously....

Villa are horrendous

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Originally Posted by Manblue

clark looking like an unbelievable liability so far today...should be 5 down seriously....

Villa are horrendous

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Spot on, saw the first 30 mins at Sky, has anyone told him he's supposed to pass to his own team mates

Gave the ball away with a pub players control.
We are fecked with this joker, he's another Alex Bruce type of player.

Prefer Duffy or Macca

Who is Macca?

Sorry - assume I've missed a recent declaration!

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Originally Posted by the doc

Spot on, saw the first 30 mins at Sky, has anyone told him he's supposed to pass to his own team mates

Gave the ball away with a pub players control.
We are fecked with this joker, he's another Alex Bruce type of player.

Prefer Duffy or Macca

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The game wasn't on Sky today? At least, not in Britain or Ireland.
Anyway, according to squawka, he completed 11 of 13 passes and only missed one in the first 30 minutes: http://epl.squawka.com/swansea-vs-a-...league/matches

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Originally Posted by Manblue

clark looking like an unbelievable liability so far today...should be 5 down seriously....

Villa are horrendous

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You're not joking. I'm 33 minutes in here over in Canada and it could easily be five or six nil already. This Michu lad is some player! He's hit the woodwork twice already.

Clark booked for a nightmare challenge on Wayne Routledge on 40 minutes. Criminal stuff really.

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

The game wasn't on Sky today? At least, not in Britain or Ireland.
Anyway, according to squawka, he completed 11 of 13 passes and only missed one in the first 30 minutes: http://epl.squawka.com/swansea-vs-a-...league/matches

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At Sky!!! Not on Sky

Were 10 of those passes were to Swansea players?

He was a joke, even some of the old pro footie players who were watching it said the same.

Why does everyone on here not see how bad he is?

You all knock Wardy yet he's a better player than Clark.

Stevens isn't much better. Booked on the stroke of halftime for a terrible challenge.

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Originally Posted by the doc

At Sky!!! Not on Sky

Were 10 of those passes were to Swansea players?

He was a joke, even some of the old pro footie players who were watching it said the same.

Why does everyone on here not see how bad he is?

You all knock Wardy yet he's a better player than Clark.

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What do you want foot.ie posters to do then Doc? Consign him to the scrap heap as "just not good enough and never will be"? These are Irish options playing premiership football. They mightn't be the best in the world or in the premiership (no-one is saying they are) but they're not bad footballers. I'm just not sure what you are trying to achieve here.

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Originally Posted by SkStu

What do you want foot.ie posters to do then Doc? Consign him to the scrap heap as "just not good enough and never will be"? These are Irish options playing premiership football. They mightn't be the best in the world or in the premiership (no-one is saying they are) but they're not bad footballers. I'm just not sure what you are trying to achieve here.

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He is trying to denigrate any player who may threaten his position in the Irish backline, that is if he ever plays football himself again! :eek:

Just on the subject of Clark and Villa, what Lambert is trying to do is very brave, and I hope the board don't lose faith in him. Like many teams before, the Christmas period creates a loss of confidence in teams and because of their youth, it is particularly noticeable with Villa. What Villa's defence needs badly now is Dunne's leadership and experience and I am sure the likes of Clark and Stevens will blossom again. Clark has natural leadership skills and is very physical and with greater experience he will become a very good player. On the subject of Doc, just happened to read the Alex Pearce thread where he has had a pop at Pearce too. I think he is a WIM who enjoys the notoriety!

Villa had no midfield to speak of for most of that game and Swansea had free reign to attack through the center leaving the defenders very exposed. Clark and Stevens were no worse than those around them and they all improved in the second half. Both got booked for diving in, Stevens was a bit unlucky I thought, showed some good anticipation to try intercept but the Swansea lad just got a toe to it first, no defending Clark really it was just a frustrated late lunge. As young defenders they're both improving and as they mature should lose more of their bad habits. Getting that draw and breaking their dreadful run should do them a lot of good too. Way too early to declare Clark a failure or to know if he will become the rock to build a defence.

He's done enough to merit inclusion in the Irish squad and enough to become a long-term fixture in the squad. At his age he needs the guidance of an older head. Presuming Coleman is our first choice RB going forward (which he should be), if Clark is to play it would be either as a partner to O'Shea or Dunne. But if Dunne and O'Shea are both fit, they should start ahead of Clark at CB as their experience is invaluable for the relative inexperience in the rest of the defence.

What's positive about Clark's run in the Villa team is that it increases our viable options at CB, a position lacking depth for us in recent years. Take the doc's whinging about Clark's run in the Villa team as recognition of this. Even disregarding Clark, our options at CB are increasing with a number of defenders starting to emerge and deserving of recognition. This is setting off alarm bells in the head of the doc as the realisation is hitting home that the player who's position in the team is most at threat is his.

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Originally Posted by gastric

On the subject of Doc, just happened to read the Alex Pearce thread where he has had a pop at Pearce too. I think he is a WIM who enjoys the notoriety!

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The Doc is the longest running joke on foot ie.
It's one of the heights of absurdity to be trying to engage him in conversation on any topic related to any of our defence options.

I just give my opinion that's all.
I've said what I think, I will leave it at that.
The same things were being said about McShane and Bruce a while back whilst I disagreed and said that SSL should be called up.

You all dismissed that, and look what happened.

I go to lots of games at all levels in the UK and abroad too, so I know my football.

Ive said all I'm going to say now on this subject, I will now wait until I'm proved right yet again.

I will of course continue to support the BIG and be there home and away at every game.

How many do that?

Happy New Year to all on here x

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Originally Posted by the doc

I will of course continue to support the BIG and be there home and away at every game.

How many do that?

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Yes, but it does help when the FAI pays your expenses - and more!

Anyway, HNY to all here too.

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Originally Posted by gastric

Just on the subject of Clark and Villa, what Lambert is trying to do is very brave, and I hope the board don't lose faith in him. Like many teams before, the Christmas period creates a loss of confidence in teams and because of their youth, it is particularly noticeable with Villa. What Villa's defence needs badly now is Dunne's leadership and experience and I am sure the likes of Clark and Stevens will blossom again. Clark has natural leadership skills and is very physical and with greater experience he will become a very good player. On the subject of Doc, just happened to read the Alex Pearce thread where he has had a pop at Pearce too. I think he is a WIM who enjoys the notoriety!

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Spot on that. I do think that Villa need to bring in a few battle hardened premiership players to stay up. I like Lambert and even if they do go down, I think he has the ability to build a good team there. He could be very good for our young Irish contingent there.

I love SSL and Richie Dunne, but I'd love if Clark and Duffy became top class players. Some people on here seem to almost want Clark to fail and I don't get that. Even if he ends up in 5 years playing for Oxford United, he was still a very talented young lad who turned down England to play with the country of his parents. I respect him greatly for that.

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Originally Posted by the doc

Spot on, saw the first 30 mins at Sky, has anyone told him he's supposed to pass to his own team mates

Gave the ball away with a pub players control.
We are fecked with this joker, he's another Alex Bruce type of player.

Prefer Duffy or Macca

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Doc, competition is good, don't fear it, instead embrace it as a challenge.

Bungle, one of the few on here who talks so much sense!

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Yes, but it does help when the FAI pays your expenses - and more!

Anyway, HNY to all here too.

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Ha ha, very good.


I'd be better off with Shanks Pony!

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Originally Posted by geysir

The Doc is the longest running joke on foot ie.
It's one of the heights of absurdity to be trying to engage him in conversation on any topic related to any of our defence options.

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That's enough of that. Back on topic or back out of the thread please.

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Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

Who is Macca?

Sorry - assume I've missed a recent declaration!

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McShane? :confused:

Oh - that just leaves me wishing everyone a Happy New Year then.

After reading the last few pages of this thread I kind of want SSL to get a move to Villa to see how he gets on in comparison to Clark but alas he is out injured at the moment :rolleyes:

Villa play with no midfield, there's no one for Clark to pass to at the best of times, not too mention hos exposed he is. He's also playing alongside someone who cost Holland any reasonable chance they had in the Euros in Ron Vlaar as well as covering for a league one right back playing for a premier league club at centre back.. He'll have much more protection in an Irish shirt. Every experience is worthwhile, Dunne and O'Shea will be too old in Rio. Get him in now, any experience is vital.

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Originally Posted by the doc

Spot on, saw the first 30 mins at Sky, has anyone told him he's supposed to pass to his own team mates

Gave the ball away with a pub players control.
We are fecked with this joker, he's another Alex Bruce type of player.

Prefer Duffy or Macca

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Seldom someone agrees with me but I'm going to have to hold my hands up and say his passing wasn't the issue for me, thought it was actually fine and read somewhere it was around the 85% completion rate.

My issue was his inability to organise the defense, running out to play offside at the wrong time and not sticking with his man, all of which created one v one opportunities for Swansea in one way or another.

I wouldn't say he's a joker. He looked ok and to be improving with Vlaar next to him (who isnt great at all), having him and herd in there together is very unfair on two such young players, especially when they get no protection from midfield.

Although he is not brilliant in the air or excellent in the tackle, I think with the right guidance he could be a decent back up and depending on his development, maybe a starter. Certainly wouldnt right him off.

I can't blame him or stevens for their rash tackles the other day, it must be frustrating having nothing in front of you and getting peppered for 90 mins a game.

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Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

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.

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

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.

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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.

Thought Clark was tremendous against Bradford tonight.

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Originally Posted by the doc

Thought Clark was tremendous against Bradford tonight.

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

Shocking!!!

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Originally Posted by Condex

You havin a laugh..

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

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Originally Posted by Condex

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

Shocking!!!

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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.