Ciaran Clark D Stoke City b.1989

**paul_oshea** · 02/03/2011, 9:33 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

What game were you watching? Delph and Herd - two centre mid's playing as full back's were - were caught out several times but Dunne and Clark, despite having no protection from full-back's or centre mid, actually made several crucial interceptions and tackles. They had little or no support and stood up fairly well, Clark was pulled around at the start by Balotelli but he upped his game in fairness and, aside from getting caught from the second, did OK. Dunne was possibly Villa's best player.

When the centre midfield is non-existent it becomes very easy for the opposition to play dainty balls over the top btw. Petrov, Bradley and Bannan were overrun and clueless.

Ya of course it is, but you dont keep playing out of position and pushing up and up. Dunne was playing in a DMF role at times in terms of where he was positioned in the first half. You have to make the call at the end of the day, and sit deep so you don't keep getting caught over the top. YOu just said that it was the full backs and then said they kept getting caught by balls over the top. Some of these balls were literally played right over them and they couldn't keep the pace with Citys forwards. They make some good challenges alright but they got caught out plenty of times- and not from the wings.

**Charlie Darwin** · 02/03/2011, 9:47 PM

He didn't just play a weakened team. He is punishing Young and Warnock - natural full backs - by leaving them out in favour of inexperienced youngsters playing in unfamiliar positions. Even if those players have clashed with him, it's a bizarre course of action.

Dunne seemed to be playing in midfield for large spells yesterday. Makes sense I suppose considering City were flooding it, but it did leave him exposed at times. They were caught for pace but that's only because Balotelli moves like lightning. Just look at the amount of quality defenders Walcott has made look like pensioners.

Dunne is actually very quick when he gains a head of steam.

**SwanVsDalton** · 02/03/2011, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Ya of course it is, but you dont keep playing out of position and pushing up and up. Dunne was playing in a DMF role at times in terms of where he was positioned in the first half. You have to make the call at the end of the day, and sit deep so you don't keep getting caught over the top. YOu just said that it was the full backs and then said they kept getting caught by balls over the top. Some of these balls were literally played right over them and they couldn't keep the pace with Citys forwards. They make some good challenges alright but they got caught out plenty of times- and not from the wings.

I think the balance of blame lies much more with the management side who sent out a defensively suspect, and clearly tactically clueless team, than with the centre backs who coped manfully against Man City's onslaught. It's been a trademark of Villa's season - the game plan implemented by Houllier and co appears to contain no allowance for the defenders.

Clark was caught in the first half hour - particularly for the second goal - but he largely recovered well and then upped his game admirably to cope with Balotelli. Most of the ball over the top were to the left wing were Kolarov was given acres of space by Herd.

Dunne was pushing up but it was usually when we had possession - or particularly when he had possession - and he does that often when his team is behind (doesn't do it so much for Ireland funny enough). If he was trying to push the defensively line up, I wouldn't blame him. I actually thought Villa were too deep, particularly in the first half, since Silva and Toure were allowed loads of room in behind the midfield.

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

He didn't just play a weakened team. He is punishing Young and Warnock - natural full backs - by leaving them out in favour of inexperienced youngsters playing in unfamiliar positions. Even if those players have clashed with him, it's a bizarre course of action.

Luke Young's injured, but agree with Warnock. Villa fans are pretty livid about the selection from what I've seen, although with the club's 88% turnover on wages giving youngsters a run could be a crucial part of the future.

**CraftyToePoke** · 02/03/2011, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

3 -0 is a fair assessment of how they did. Anyone can thank whoever they like but the reality is the score speaks for itself. And it could have been worse.

I dont know Paul, I would have to diagree again, their midfield never once in the whole game managed to set up controlled, sustained posession in the middle third, let alone the opposition third. (well maybe once that I recall, but it wasnt ever really what you would call comfortable, more a series of hurried passes) this will compromise the CB pairing massively, no matter who they are - it was not helped by the full backs either who were neither available as an outlet or preventing easy pass picking by the City wide men.

In these circumstances the CB pairing prevented a real mauling IMO. Paticularly given the array ot attacking talent they were faced with and the movement, which those around them never got to grips with, the CB pairing can only do so much, Dunne and Clark put in a decent shift.

**paul_oshea** · 25/03/2011, 8:14 AM

"So, England was a second option. It never felt right to me because Ireland was always the country I wanted to represent."

Love it! Kilbane mark II, funny that he is vying for kilbanes position too at the moment.

**gspain** · 25/03/2011, 8:19 AM

If the rumours are to believed I can't believe he is behind Darren O'Dea for centre half and even Kevin Kilbane for left back.

**paul_oshea** · 25/03/2011, 8:21 AM

Gspain, are you suggesting you know something more than we do? Or based on what has been said here?

I think everyone now knows Traps failings at this stage, so although extremely disappointing, not all that surprising.

**SwanVsDalton** · 25/03/2011, 9:09 AM

It was reported yesterday Paul - the practice line-up, the same line-up Trap is expected to select tomorrow, featured O'Dea at CB instead of Sledge. Suggests Trap will go for him if Sledge misses out. Bad move (for me, the most mind-boggling of some mind-boggling selections) but, as you say, not all that surprising. We'll see...

**paul_oshea** · 25/03/2011, 9:13 AM

Ya I saw that, but gspain usually has some more inside info, thats what i was referring to. Thanks though!

**shakermaker1982** · 25/03/2011, 9:15 AM

If St Ledger doesn't make it then I'll be very nervous if O'Dea does get the nod.

**SwanVsDalton** · 25/03/2011, 9:17 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Ya I saw that, but gspain usually has some more inside info, thats what i was referring to. Thanks though!

Oh right, wasn't aware of gspain's in-the-know status!

**geysir** · 25/03/2011, 9:18 AM

I can´t recall which game where the training ground spotters got it wrong, it's not an infallible guide as to who Trap will pick.

**AlaskaFox** · 30/03/2011, 9:48 AM

Villa defender Cuellar: Clark will be top player

**paul_oshea** · 30/03/2011, 10:44 AM

A lot learned. An awful lot to learn.

**boovidge** · 07/06/2011, 8:37 AM

Linked with Man United in the Sun today. 7 million.probably BS but still..

**the doc** · 07/06/2011, 9:18 AM

Too rash in the tackle, needs to learn to be more composed, but has ability.

**irishfan86** · 07/06/2011, 9:26 AM

Probably better to stay at Villa at this point and get steady playing time. O'Shea is a significantly better player in my view at this point and can't always make the starting XI...