Ciaran Clark - now gone

[gervilla]

How can you dislodge such greats as Darren O Dea and Stephen Ward ?

[villan from luton]

Just heard Trappatoni moaning about championship players etc...

Don't pick them then you c*nt!!

I didnt pick the team

[villan from luton]

How can you dislodge such greats as Darren O Dea and Stephen Ward ?

Obviously he aint in there class yet, but time is on his side, give him a chance

[Aston Villa]

Just heard Trappatoni moaning about championship players etc...

Don't pick them then you c*nt!!

I didnt pick the team

That's a shame, you couldn't have done any worse

[ciggiesnbeer]

Glad he didnt use him, please dont pick him again Trapp. That goes for every other national team out there.

Please dont pick Villa players for your crappy international football.

[Mister E]

The Italian seems to have dragged the Irish team down to the basement. He's not related to TSM by any chance, is he?

[Matt Collins]

Clark has benver had a full season of games in one position. He has the promise. He needs the match experience. He will be good.

I don't know if he'll make it, but anyone suggesting he doesn't have vast potential doesn't know what they're talking about

[Percy McCarthy]

Not disagreeing with you Matt, but isn't that the type of thing you were slating people for posting on the Benteke thread?

[tolstoy08]

You also have to consider that a back 4 of Lowton-Vlaar-Clark-Bennett really needs a season together before we will really see the best of it. All 4 are playing their first full season in the Premier League in their given positions. Vlaar is adapting to the Premier League and the other 3 are still learning their trade.

The good thing though is that they could be our back 4 for many years to come.

Absolutely agree with this. Hopefully Vlaar's leadership will rub off on Clark. Apologies if this has been said before, but what I think is particularly encouraging is that they all seem comfortable in possession, especially Bennett and Clark, which is something that seems to have been lacking from our defence (and team) for a while. Even our better defenders in recent times; Laursen, Mellberg, Cuellar etc. have been good 'stoppers' but have appeared rushed on the ball.

[SoccerHQ]

I'm a little unsure on Clark now but then again centre half has always been a position where aside from exceptional exceptions, most mature as they get towards their 30s.

I agree Vlaar and Clark does need much more time together but it's looked pretty ropey to me so far and I worry we're still weak against the high ball as we've conceded a few goals already this season from this.

[Irish villain]

Trapp out!!!

[tolstoy08]

I'm a little unsure on Clark now but then again centre half has always been a position where aside from exceptional exceptions, most mature as they get towards their 30s.

I agree Vlaar and Clark does need much more time together but it's looked pretty ropey to me so far and I worry we're still weak against the high ball as we've conceded a few goals already this season from this.

Yeah, hopefully their organisation and understanding will improve with time but I can see your point about the aerial ball. Vlaar in particular seems a bit reluctant to attack the ball in the air. There were a few long balls and crosses early on against Spurs which they didn't deal with, although they did seem to get better at this as the game went on. Making him watch a few videos of Laursen couldn't hurt.

[peter w]

He'll learn being next to Dunne. Vlaar I mean.

[villan from luton]

Dunne should be back shortly to compete for a place with Clark surely?

[tolstoy08]

yeah I thought Dunne was due back around now. Could certainly do with him.