Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

**AlaskaFox** · 30/11/2010, 9:04 AM

Yet another rubbish story from caughtoffside:
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/11...rs-youngsters/

"Ferguson is said to be an admirer of the England Under 21 pair"

**Yard of Pace** · 30/11/2010, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by kennedmc

Jaysus Fox you are a glass half empty kind of person

I am pretty sure Yard of Pace means the same thing as you!!

It is good to see Clark say that - its suppose to be a privlege to play for your country - not an entitlement

That is what I meant, yes!

**elroy** · 30/11/2010, 8:00 PM

Really hope Clark avoids the notorious injury curse that has affected some of our brightest young prospects in recent years. Best of luck for the season CC and look forward to seeing you in the green soon.

**youngirish** · 01/12/2010, 2:38 PM

Scouting report:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/footba...27918/23266980

**tommy_c12000** · 01/12/2010, 7:32 PM

Just got assist for Villa's equaliser V Birmingham. Dunne gave away penalty with challenge on Bowyer earlier in game.

"Salt into the Blues' wounds. Birmingham nemesis Gabriel Agbonlahor gets an inch of space in the box from Ciaran Clark's pass, he spins and lashes into the far corner. That's his third goal in three games at St Andrews." (BBC Sport)

**AlaskaFox** · 01/12/2010, 7:39 PM

Dunne has been horrendous. I thought it was Young who set up the goal, but need to see it again. (Watching on a shoddy quality stream)

EDIT: Sky says Hogg with the assist, so no idea.

**tommy_c12000** · 01/12/2010, 7:50 PM

Originally Posted by AlaskaFox

Dunne has been horrendous. I thought it was Young who set up the goal, but need to see it again. (Watching on a shoddy quality stream)

EDIT: Sky says Hogg with the assist, so no idea.

Looks like the professionals are also getting mixed up with all the Villa youngsters (and not just myself)!

**LFCSixty/Eighty** · 04/12/2010, 11:21 AM

Was interested to hear Traps comments on Ciaran Clark during the week on Off the Ball. He was asked what he thought of CC's performance against Arsenal and he said he'd seen the goals he'd scored but then he blatantly sneared at the idea that he is a midfielder, adding that anyone who had seen Barca v Real Madrid would have seen what midfielders are supposed to be. This is coming from the man who has based his whole Irish tenure on picking midfielders who CAN'T pass the ball.

He's basically slagging of a guy who has just declared for us. If Gerard Houllier, who see's him train every day thinks he is worth putting in the middle than i'm willing to trust his judgement.

Lest not forget this was against Arsenal who will make alot of midfields look like passangers. If someone had been watching Real Madrid against Barca for the first time on Monday they would come to the conclusion that Xabi Alonso isn't a midfielder.

Trap should get over to see him in the flesh a bit more often, other than when Sky Sports show Villa before passing comment.

**SkStu** · 04/12/2010, 2:32 PM

i... must.... resist... the... Trap... bashing.

**paul_oshea** · 04/12/2010, 7:07 PM

Originally Posted by LFCSixty/Eighty

Was interested to hear Traps comments on Ciaran Clark during the week on Off the Ball. He was asked what he thought of CC's performance against Arsenal and he said he'd seen the goals he'd scored but then he blatantly sneared at the idea that he is a midfielder, adding that anyone who had seen Barca v Real Madrid would have seen what midfielders are supposed to be. This is coming from the man who has based his whole Irish tenure on picking midfielders who CAN'T pass the ball.

He's basically slagging of a guy who has just declared for us. If Gerard Houllier, who see's him train every day thinks he is worth putting in the middle than i'm willing to trust his judgement.

Lest not forget this was against Arsenal who will make alot of midfields look like passangers. If someone had been watching Real Madrid against Barca for the first time on Monday they would come to the conclusion that Xabi Alonso isn't a midfielder.

Trap should get over to see him in the flesh a bit more often, other than when Sky Sports show Villa before passing comment.

Wait there will be lads on here who will defend Our Leader, Il Trap.

Trap reminds me of a "told you so guy", or the guy from the ewoks, who says something is a crap idea, unless he comes up with the idea. It appears that unless he sees the guy first, picks him and brings him through then he is a player. If the media/fans/whoever are pressing for a player, he ignores it, as though he doesn't want to seem swayed by anyone but himself. Its all very "my toys" really.

**SkStu** · 04/12/2010, 7:26 PM

thats exactly my problem with him POS.

Ego!!!

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/12/2010, 8:10 PM

I don't really care about his personality, I just want him to win more matches.

Clark would be a decent option for us in midfield but at this point in his career he hasn't really done anything to suggest he'd be more useful than Whelan or Green, aerial ability notwithstanding.

**kev mcq** · 04/12/2010, 8:26 PM

Trap is a numpty. Talking about the Barcelona midfield bein what midfielders should be yet he insists on picking Paul Green. Jesus wept.

**SkStu** · 04/12/2010, 8:51 PM

Originally Posted by kev mcq

Trap is a numpty. Talking about the Barcelona midfield bein what midfielders should be yet he insists on picking Paul Green. Jesus wept.

and on top of that he has convinced a lot of otherwise intelligent people that no one else can do the job that Green can.

**paul_oshea** · 04/12/2010, 9:33 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

and on top of that he has convinced a lot of otherwise intelligent people that no one else can do the job that Green can.

well maybe they are not that intelligent...but id take that on the whole trap selection not necessarily green, because i did actually think he id ok for the 27mins he was on against slovakia.

**geysir** · 04/12/2010, 9:58 PM

Paul, you are one man captcha generator.

**Adrock** · 04/12/2010, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by kev mcq

Trap is a numpty. Talking about the Barcelona midfield bein what midfielders should be yet he insists on picking Paul Green. Jesus wept.

Paul Green is the Irish granny Xavi though, its a fact.
Having a midfielder like Clark is fine when like Villa we have a couple of wingers.......its not like we're offering any creative threat through the middle now anyway so having a pure holding player wouldnt lose us anything. He's looked a lot more solid in midfield than he looked at the back anyway.

**SwanVsDalton** · 05/12/2010, 3:35 AM

Originally Posted by Adrock

He's looked a lot more solid in midfield than he looked at the back anyway.

Care to elaborate? I've watched Clark extensively, and he appears eminently more comfortable at CB than CM. He doesn't really stamp his authority in midfield at all (two Arsenal goals excepted, and in that game he wasn't exactly dominant in open play). Was totally anonymous against Birmingham in midweek as well. His performances at CB have largely been far more impressive.

Originally Posted by LFCSixty/Eighty

He's basically slagging of a guy who has just declared for us. If Gerard Houllier, who see's him train every day thinks he is worth putting in the middle than i'm willing to trust his judgement.

Slagging? What sort of thin skinned part of the Limerick do you come from? Besides I wouldn't take Houllier's word on anything given how poorly Villa are playing. Plus most observers on Villa's main fan forum (Villa Talk) would put Clark back at CB, partly because Dunne going through one of his rubbish patches, but mostly because it's where he seems more comfortable. Just because he's an option at midfield doesn't mean he should actual be picked at CM. See O'Shea for reference.

**Adrock** · 05/12/2010, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Care to elaborate? I've watched Clark extensively, and he appears eminently more comfortable at CB than CM. He doesn't really stamp his authority in midfield at all (two Arsenal goals excepted, and in that game he wasn't exactly dominant in open play). Was totally anonymous against Birmingham in midweek as well. His performances at CB have largely been far more impressive.

.

Well they briefly experimented with with him at CB at the start of the season, which pretty much ended with a serious humping by Newcastle in which he had a horrendous time, and I can only recall him starting there once since I think. He's playing where he is at the moment to break up play and get the ball to Downing and Young as thats Villa's game plan and he can do the same for us, with maybe Gibson alongside him as more of a playmaker. Given the sparcity of alternative options seems as good a gameplan as any.

**tommy_c12000** · 05/12/2010, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Wait there will be lads on here who will defend Our Leader, Il Trap.

Trap reminds me of a "told you so guy", or the guy from the ewoks, who says something is a crap idea, unless he comes up with the idea. It appears that unless he sees the guy first, picks him and brings him through then he is a player. If the media/fans/whoever are pressing for a player, he ignores it, as though he doesn't want to seem swayed by anyone but himself. Its all very "my toys" really.

Gotta say that sums up my feelings about the man. Really frustrated with his attitude. "Trap, swallow your pride occasionally, it's non-fattening"