Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

**Stuttgart88** · 02/01/2013, 10:21 AM

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?

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

Anyway, HNY to all here too.

**Bungle** · 02/01/2013, 10:23 AM

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!

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.

**paul_oshea** · 02/01/2013, 10:23 AM

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

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!

**the doc** · 02/01/2013, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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

Anyway, HNY to all here too.

Ha ha, very good.

I'd be better off with Shanks Pony!

**dahamsta** · 02/01/2013, 12:56 PM

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.

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

**DannyInvincible** · 02/01/2013, 9:09 PM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

Who is Macca?

Sorry - assume I've missed a recent declaration!

McShane?

**Paddy Garcia** · 03/01/2013, 6:03 AM

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

**SolitudeRed** · 03/01/2013, 8:52 PM

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

**Gubbins94** · 03/01/2013, 11:07 PM

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.

**Manblue** · 04/01/2013, 12:25 AM

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

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.

**theworm2345** · 04/01/2013, 1:44 AM

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.

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** · 04/01/2013, 1:46 AM

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** · 04/01/2013, 2:09 AM

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.

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** · 04/01/2013, 2:23 AM

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.

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** · 04/01/2013, 2:54 AM

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.

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** · 04/01/2013, 12:29 PM

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.

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.