Ciaran Clark - now gone

[fredm]

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.
[/quote]

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.


[/quote]

Have said for ages now that Clark is always "on his heels" or flatfooted as you say.  That means he is that split second in reacting to a situation and therefore is often second best so resorts to fouling his opponent and getting a yellow card.  He needs to be on his toes a lot more and try and get a quicker speed of reaction.

Also as everyone has identified, he gets too close to his opponent and because he does not appear to have good upper body strength, gets rolled quite easily.  Again, if he was more nimble, as the ball is passed up to the attacker he could get in close to let him know he is there but then immediately back off so that he is in a position to check the opponents movement either side.

[Ron Manager]

Ciaran Clark is a midfielder most of us know that as a fact. He can play attacking midfield and defensive midfield quite well.

Just because he had a good game on Sunday doesnt mean hes a natural centre half. Hes very much like Liam Ridgewell ,isnt strong enough physically to play centre back.

But no doubt Lambert will persevere with him because Lambert rates him at the back

Which says a lot about the stubborn mentality of our manager.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

Ciaran Clark is a midfielder most of us know that as a fact.

errrrmmmm I don't. We are too limited when he plays in midfield but obviously I must be in a minority thinking that

[Ron Manager]

Ciaran Clark is a midfielder most of us know that as a fact.

errrrmmmm I don't. We are too limited when he plays in midfield but obviously I must be in a minority thinking that

Limited in what way?

[QBVILLA]

I prefer him in midfield and if Dunne does play again this season I think he'll be alongside Vlaar with Clark replacing Delph.

[supertom]

I don't think Clarks good enough in either position to be honest. He lacks the mobility for midfield and whilsts he's a good ball player for a defender, he's average in midfield terms.

He's one of these frustrating players caught between the two. I think eventually, I'm afraid to say, he'll be a championship player in either position. I just don't see him being good enough at CH or CM. A few good goals last season do little to persuade me he can play midfield.

Physically he's not imposing enough at CH and he makes too many errors. I mean the handball for example, which gifted WH a free kick in a good position was extremely sloppy. At this level, at that stage of the game, you just don't do that. He's been dropping bollocks consistently this season though.

If you look at our centre, it becomes patently obvious that Baker and Clark aren't good enough. Personally though, I'd switch their positions from the last game. Baker at CH, and Clark at fullback. Clarks just that bit quicker and is better on the ball. Baker is awful at fullback. Clark may be passable. Actually for the remainder of the season I think Clark is probably our best option at fullback.

[Ron Manager]

I prefer him in midfield and if Dunne does play again this season I think he'll be alongside Vlaar with Clark replacing Delph.

I suspect Dunne played his last game for us some considerable time ago.

I think he is unable to get over this long term injury and may retire.

[QBVILLA]

I prefer him in midfield and if Dunne does play again this season I think he'll be alongside Vlaar with Clark replacing Delph.

I suspect Dunne played his last game for us some considerable time ago.

I think he is unable to get over this long term injury and may retire.

You could be right mate. I think i'm in the minority but i've always rated Dunne and believe he has been our biggest loss this season.

[Ron Manager]

I don't think Clarks good enough in either position to be honest. He lacks the mobility for midfield and whilsts he's a good ball player for a defender, he's average in midfield terms.

He's one of these frustrating players caught between the two. I think eventually, I'm afraid to say, he'll be a championship player in either position. I just don't see him being good enough at CH or CM. A few good goals last season do little to persuade me he can play midfield.

Physically he's not imposing enough at CH and he makes too many errors. I mean the handball for example, which gifted WH a free kick in a good position was extremely sloppy. At this level, at that stage of the game, you just don't do that. He's been dropping bollocks consistently this season though.

If you look at our centre, it becomes patently obvious that Baker and Clark aren't good enough. Personally though, I'd switch their positions from the last game. Baker at CH, and Clark at fullback. Clarks just that bit quicker and is better on the ball. Baker is awful at fullback. Clark may be passable. Actually for the remainder of the season I think Clark is probably our best option at fullback.

Its all about opinions but thinking about it I have come to the conclusion that you are probably right. Clark at left back Baker at centre half.

[Drummond]

I'm starting to think Clark will turn out to be our version of John O'Shea when he was at Man Utd, solid if unspectacular.

He has been at the top of his class for years and has been captain of youth, reserves and played at all levels for England so he must be a decent player. He's still learning though and is quite young in central defensive terms.

[QBVILLA]

I'm starting to think Clark will turn out to be our version of John O'Shea when he was at Man Utd, solid if unspectacular.

He has been at the top of his class for years and has been captain of youth, reserves and played at all levels for England so he must be a decent player. He's still learning though and is quite young in central defensive terms.

I think his problem has been the lack of a senior defensive partner. I seem to remember Curtis Davies getting into the England squad (only to get subsequently injured) when he had a great run in the side alongside Laursen. Clark has eitehr been the senior player alongside Baker or he's been alongside premier league rookie Vlaar.

[Clark W Griswold]

Clark's a left back really. The comparison to Ridgewell is a good one, and he now plays left back a lot these days. Good touch, can pass it and would do better against wingers than big centre forwards so that would be the way forward. Would have to worry less about his atrocious positional sense as well. Don't think he's a midfielder personally.

[Irish villain]

Some here see him as a natural midfielder, others think he is a left back while Lambert and the player selieve he should be a central defender.

In ways he reminds me of Gareth Barry until he found his niche in midfield. I think Clark will turn out OK as a centre back, wasn't impressed with him in midfield when he has played there.

[Chris Smith]

Some here see him as a natural midfielder, others think he is a left back while Lambert and the player selieve he should be a central defender.

In ways he reminds me of Gareth Barry until he found his niche in midfield. I think Clark will turn out OK as a centre back, wasn't impressed with him in midfield when he has played there.

I agree with that. In the long run he'll benefit from the experience of playing in a number of positions but ultimately I see him as a centre back.

[N'Zimidy]

He's not a natural midfielder. He's a natural centre back that is just 23. He was my MOTM on Saturday, his positioning was excellent and cut out most of their crosses into our 6 yard box. Smart defending.

He isn't without his faults but he's a young lad. He's shown as much promise as Cahill did at his age in my opinion, despite being slightly weaker in the air. He'll grow to be a top, top centre half.