Ciaran Clark - now gone

[wittonwarrior]

The more you think about it, James Chester was such an important signing for us last season.  Clark/Baker/Elphick all capable of the massive mistake.  Chester is the one of the three I would take with us to the Premiership.

[KevinGage]

Yes, Clark and Chester would have been a good combination, despite a lack of pace.

I wouldn't have Chester down as a slouch. He is McGrath esque (stay with me)  in the sense that he always seems to have just enough pace to mop up the danger. He isn't always on his heels so doesn't need to be a sprint champion. Whereas both Clark and Baker are iffy against nippy forwards and are no strangers to misjudging the flight of the ball. Chronic lack of pace adds to the package.

Clark started gubbing it with the ball at his feet too, which is a shame.  As one of the things that stood out when he first broke through was how comfortable he was in possession.

[adrenachrome]

Yes, Clark and Chester would have been a good combination, despite a lack of pace.

I wouldn't have Chester down as a slouch. He is McGrath esque (stay with me)  in the sense that he always seems to have just enough pace to mop up the danger. He isn't always on his heels so doesn't need to be a sprint champion. Whereas both Clark and Baker are iffy against nippy forwards and are no strangers to misjudging the flight of the ball. Chronic lack of pace adds to the package.

Clark started gubbing it with the ball at his feet too, which is a shame.  As one of the things that stood out when he first broke through was how comfortable he was in possession.

Even more so when he was originally a midfield player with the youth team. I would bet he will come good. Rafa's summer signings will prove what he thinks one way or the other.

[Lastfootstamper]

I'm sure I've mentioned before (I meant to, if I haven't) that I don't recall many players who have looked as calm, controlled and comfortable as Clark as he misplaced a ten yard pass.

[wittonwarrior]

Clark v  Baker - not much in it - except Baker is our player and Clark is not - so I am totally focused on NB  and forgotten that Clark was a player in claret and blue who was distinctly average.

[brentastonb6]

Clark v  Baker - not much in it - except Baker is our player and Clark is not - so I am totally focused on NB  and forgotten that Clark was a player in claret and blue who was distinctly average.

Agree, isn't it a shame they both looked great in our youth team and I honestly thought they'd go on to form our centre half partnership for ten years just like a Pallister & Bruce combo with one of them ultimately ending up as club captain.
Maybe it's me wishing they were that good or maybe just maybe our coaching really has been that shocking that
We continually turn wine into water ?

[Brend'Watkins]

Clark v  Baker - not much in it - except Baker is our player and Clark is not - so I am totally focused on NB  and forgotten that Clark was a player in claret and blue who was distinctly average.

Agree, isn't it a shame they both looked great in our youth team and I honestly thought they'd go on to form our centre half partnership for ten years just like a Pallister & Bruce combo with one of them ultimately ending up as club captain.
Maybe it's me wishing they were that good or maybe just maybe our coaching really has been that shocking that
We continually turn wine into water ?

Or maybe they just peak early like a lot of promising players at an early age. That's not just the case at our place it's at every club.  For every Dele Alee there's 10 Danny Cadarmateris . 

Clark's not been great for us in his time but he's better than Baker. 

[Damo70]

I like Baker but my best description of him would be summed up in the phrase 'Bull In A China Shop'.

[SoccerHQ]

Yes, Clark and Chester would have been a good combination, despite a lack of pace.

Not sure on that one, Chester is better alongside aerially dominant CBs (Baker and Jedinak) and I thought that was yet another average part of Clarks game. Remember when Victor Flipping Anchiebe totally bullied him when he played for Everton.

[The Edge]

Clark v  Baker - not much in it - except Baker is our player and Clark is not - so I am totally focused on NB  and forgotten that Clark was a player in claret and blue who was distinctly average.

Agree, isn't it a shame they both looked great in our youth team and I honestly thought they'd go on to form our centre half partnership for ten years just like a Pallister & Bruce combo with one of them ultimately ending up as club captain.
Maybe it's me wishing they were that good or maybe just maybe our coaching really has been that shocking that
We continually turn wine into water ?

Or maybe they just peak early like a lot of promising players at an early age. That's not just the case at our place it's at every club.  For every Dele Alee there's 10 Danny Cadarmateris . 

Clark's not been great for us in his time but he's better than Baker.

Don't know where to start.

[Brend'Watkins]

Clark v  Baker - not much in it - except Baker is our player and Clark is not - so I am totally focused on NB  and forgotten that Clark was a player in claret and blue who was distinctly average.

Agree, isn't it a shame they both looked great in our youth team and I honestly thought they'd go on to form our centre half partnership for ten years just like a Pallister & Bruce combo with one of them ultimately ending up as club captain.
Maybe it's me wishing they were that good or maybe just maybe our coaching really has been that shocking that
We continually turn wine into water ?

Or maybe they just peak early like a lot of promising players at an early age. That's not just the case at our place it's at every club.  For every Dele Alee there's 10 Danny Cadarmateris . 

Clark's not been great for us in his time but he's better than Baker.

Don't know where to start.

At the beginning is a good place.

[Matt Collins]

Clark always had more potential because baker is so limited technically

Baker did ok last year but isn't good enough if we want to get promoted. Chester is by far the best but he's not at all infallible. He makes quite a few sloppy mistakes but most of the time we don't get punished - maybe he'd cut them out in the top flight

Chester does appear to be a better passer than half our midfield though which is embarrassing. Yes I'm looking at you Mile,Leandro, Bjarnason, and Gardner