Ciaran Clark - now gone

[SoccerHQ]

He did alright.

I did notice at every opportunity in open play Nolan or Carroll would go infront of him to receive the ball so clearly opposition managers are identifying him as a physical weak link in our backline.

Before people get carried away, there was a scary moment near the end when Carlton Cole easily turned him outside the box. Luckily the shot was typically a back pass.

[Matt Collins]

Before we write Clark or any of our other youngsters off, ask yourself at what age the following players looked premier league class:

Gardner (23?)
Ridgewell (23?)
Routledge (25?)
Even Cahill was only 'promising' at 22 when sold to Bolton
Even Harry Forrester looks quite promising now too, as does Troy Deeney

I've not given up on Clark, Delph or Bannan yet. Albrighton, Lichaj and Herd I think I have, mind (they're older, and don't seem to me to have the talent. The first three are just very inconsistent)l.

[Dante Lavelli]

Was Cahill that much bigger, stronger or faster than Clark at a similar stage in his career?
Clark looks a good/better footballer yet is largely written off.  I'm just wondering what or where he is deemed to be deficient to Cahill. 

In time, with more experience, do people think he can improve.  Using Cahill as an example again, he spent his first full season on loan at Burnley whereas Clark is doing it in the harsh environment of the Premier League.

[SoccerHQ]

Ridgewell looked a total mess during 05/06, giving away a penalty during most games.

Nowadays he's a solid enough fullback, wouldn't shock me if Clark ends up there or in midfield.

Cahil had a lot more potential than Clark has I think even if he dosen't quite look Chelsea quality imo.

[Jockey Randall]

Future club captain imo. How many defenders look liabilities defensively at a young age then by the time they're 27/28 they have cut this out and are solid. It's like Tomkins yesterday, he looked ropey and mad some poor challenges, yet I've no doubt he'll make a decent premier league centre half. Clark has got all the foundations to be a very good centre half in the future. The fact that he has the technical ability to have played midfield shows how much potential he's got also.

[Dante Lavelli]

Cahil had a lot more potential than Clark has I think even if he dosen't quite look Chelsea quality imo.

What do you mean by potential though?  I remember a game whilst playing for Bolton where Carew destroyed Cahill.  I'm basically trying to work out where Clark is lacking or whether it's just time/experience that is needed.

[nick harper]

Cahil had a lot more potential than Clark has I think even if he dosen't quite look Chelsea quality imo.

What do you mean by potential though?  I remember a game whilst playing for Bolton where Carew destroyed Cahill.  I'm basically trying to work out where Clark is lacking or whether it's just time/experience that is needed.

Quality defenders anticipate, poor or mediocre defenders react. Clark falls into the latter category in my opinion.

[Dante Lavelli]

But isn't anticipation exactly the sort of skill you'll gain with experience.  It's certainly suggested so if you believe in the 10,000 hour rule and possibly studies of Wayne Gretsky's ability to be in the "right place".

By the way, I'm not saying you're wrong just asking questions from folk who will have watched him more than I have.

[Bigmelonface]

I don't know why but he just irritates me.

[MoetVillan]

watching Clarke over the last few seasons, I think his personal performances have improved.  He has not had much stability alongside him, and gone from having a lot of experience around him, to being alomst the most experienced in less than a year, up against forwards from the most physical top tier in Europe.  So, I have patience with him.  He works like a trojan too.  That doesnt make him a great player admitedly, but when you see Samba, a 12.5 million signing on 100k a week get absolutely dicked the other day by Swansea, then it maybe puts some perspective on it all.  I thought he played well yesterday, Andy Carroll is a twat to play against, always in your face, and goes down more easily than the tumbling bear

[nick harper]

He's played 74 games for us now and I can't see much improvement.

Interestingly, he's been booked 20 times, more than 1 in 4. I think that's because he lacks the defenders instinct around decision making. He often gets himself too close to forwards and fouls because he lacks the confidence or ability to read situations. He might be a late developer or need a more commanding partner but I never feel confident about him.

[brontebilly]

He did alright.

I did notice at every opportunity in open play Nolan or Carroll would go infront of him to receive the ball so clearly opposition managers are identifying him as a physical weak link in our backline.

Before people get carried away, there was a scary moment near the end when Carlton Cole easily turned him outside the box. Luckily the shot was typically a back pass.

that was horrible defending, got caught flat footed and Cole skated away from him. Again was caught flat footed for the yellow card which in fairness he had to do but he should have anticipated it better.

After being destroyed by getting too close to Anichebe last week, Carroll bought a very handy free kick from him in the second half too. Not sure he is learning all that much.

Tidy footballer at times and in fairness does take up good positions to block shots and intercept crosses. As others have said doesnt anticipate danger enough and unfortunately lacks the pace and strength to recover from poor positioning. Would say the most of his yellow cards have come from getting caught on the wrong side of the attacker and bringing them down. If he just stood back from the play and allowed it to develop more before charging in all or nothing I think he would be a better player.

Wouldnt totally rule him out coming good but if we start next season in the EPL, dont think he can be first choice.

[tomd2103]

He did alright.

I did notice at every opportunity in open play Nolan or Carroll would go infront of him to receive the ball so clearly opposition managers are identifying him as a physical weak link in our backline.

Before people get carried away, there was a scary moment near the end when Carlton Cole easily turned him outside the box. Luckily the shot was typically a back pass.

Wouldnt totally rule him out coming good but if we start next season in the EPL, dont think he can be first choice.

To be fair, I don't think he would have been first choice this season had Dunne been fit.

[PaulTheVillan]

Would have Baker in ahead of Clark at the moment.

[PaulWinch again]

Not for me on the performance on Sunday.