Ciaran Clark - now gone

[Ron Manager]

There are a lot of differing opinions here!  One thing we agree on, I think, is that he he is good enough to play somewhere!

Where that is only Lambert knows and it appears he has decided its centre back.

He is wrong by the way.

[paul_e]

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.

I agree.  Most of his faults can be fixed with experience, and the others can be fixed in the gym.  He needs to anticipate things better and be a lot sronger.

The main positive is that he's got the right character to succeed.  Whatever else you say about him he's not hiding after the run of games we've had, which is very impressive to me.

[ktvillan]

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.

I agree with what you've said except think that he won't ever make a LB either.  He's been shocking when played there, positionally even more all over the place than he is at CB.  I just don't think he's PL standard anywhere unfortunately, and comparisons with Barry are well wide of the mark.  He makes up for his lack of pace with good reading, touch, timing and positioning way more than Clark could ever dream of. 

[old man villa fan]

There are a lot of differing opinions here!  One thing we agree on, I think, is that he he is good enough to play somewhere!

Where that is only Lambert knows and it appears he has decided its centre back.

He is wrong by the way.

You're wrong.

[N'ZMAV]

There are a lot of differing opinions here!  One thing we agree on, I think, is that he he is good enough to play somewhere!

Where that is only Lambert knows and it appears he has decided its centre back.

He is wrong by the way.

You're wrong.

I'm wrong.

[ozzjim]

You know, I liken him a bit to Aaron Hughes. He was a similar build and as he got older got better and better at centre back, with age and experience. Much like Davies, I think Clark will long term benefit from Vlaar being fit, accustomed to the Prem and playing at full capacity. We saw signs on Sunday of how positionally sound he is at times, and there is certainly a player in there who for me is probably best as 3rd choice centre half, 2nd choice left back and ditto defensive midfield, but would be a regular fixture due to that versatility. He was poor at Everton for the Anichebe goal but responded really well on Sunday. Credit where it is due. If we had a more experienced man fit that could slot in to take some of the pressure off him it would be really great, but we don't at the moment. 2-3 years time he will probably be one of the best in the league, and rationally thinking, young defenders make a lot of mistakes while coming through that more experienced colleagues cover. For Clark, he has not had that luxury this season.

[tomd2103]

He was poor at Everton for the Anichebe goal but responded really well on Sunday.

Yet he still got involved in a similar situation with Carroll on Sunday and gave away a unnecessary free kick in a really dangerous area.  Someone was saying on the radio after the game (may have been Collymore) that the same players are making the same mistakes in every game and I think that is certainly the case with Clark. 

[Stu]

There are a lot of differing opinions here!  One thing we agree on, I think, is that he he is good enough to play somewhere!

Where that is only Lambert knows and it appears he has decided its centre back.

He is wrong by the way.

You're wrong.

I'm wrong.

I'm Spartacus!

Oh wait, no, I'm wrong.

[supertommykN'iba]

If he plays, it should be midfield (Not attacking midfield like someone suggested?!). Baker is twice the player Clark is at the back and just continues to improve. Can't stand watching Clark just throw his leg at the ball when he tries to clear it.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

If he plays, it should be midfield (Not attacking midfield like someone suggested?!). Baker is twice the player Clark is at the back and just continues to improve. Can't stand watching Clark just throw his leg at the ball when he tries to clear it.

Totally agree Baker is much more solid. He is tight on his player but does not get turned as his timing is better and he is more powerful. Bakers aerial power is the best we have (not difficult with Vlaar there) only problem is, he is injury prone .....

[Rancid custard]

If he plays, it should be midfield (Not attacking midfield like someone suggested?!). Baker is twice the player Clark is at the back and just continues to improve. Can't stand watching Clark just throw his leg at the ball when he tries to clear it.

Totally agree Baker is much more solid. He is tight on his player but does not get turned as his timing is better and he is more powerful. Bakers aerial power is the best we have (not difficult with Vlaar there) only problem is, he is injury prone .....

Agreed. thought hey're both still learning, I think Baker has learnt the lesson of knowing when to stay a yard off of the striker so he doesn't get turned so easily. Clark always seems to get twisted up when he goes tight, an gets committed to giving away a foul or 2.

[Jockey Randall]

Clark is better on the ball than Baker and with experience under his belt, should make the better defender in 5 years time. I think both will make it in the Premier league though.

[Irish villain]

Clark is better on the ball than Baker and with experience under his belt, should make the better defender in 5 years time. I think both will make it in the Premier league though.

Me too. Baker is big and strong and reminds me a bit of Ugo whereas Clark is more his own man and perhaps more the type of defender we will be seeing dominate the game over the coming years. He is good on the ball, decent distribution and quite versatile. If they weren't both left footed I would say Clark and Baker compliment each other perfectly and could be a great pairing in about three years.

[Dante Lavelli]

They both remind me of Jonny Evans in many ways.  He was bobbins for large chunks of his younger years (and has benefitted from years on loan to Sunderland etc too) but is starting to look a good player now he's player 130 odd games at the top level (compared to 60 odd for Clark and Baker).

[eamonn]

Clark is certainly a more cultured player than Baker (he looks like he reads the Guardian too but that's not what I mean). Perhaps he could be a sweeper. Anyone seen one of them since 1992?