Ciaran Clark - now gone

[Matt Collins]

I haven't given up on Clark, but I have lost quite a lot of faith.

If he does come through strongly then great. But I think he needs to earn it. We can't assume it will happen and need at least one new CB who's better than what we have to go straight into the side for next season.

Frankly, I think it was stupid not to have sent him out on loan for 6 months at 19 or so. He was coasting through substandard reserve football instead

[Walmley_Villa]

The unnerving development of Clark this season has been the development of his running style. He has turned into Richard Dunne with the straight arm swing i.e. only his legs really move when he is running at speed. Maybe it is an Irish thing?

[supertom]

Clark would benefit from a really strong, commanding centre half next to him. We've lacked a Laursen since Laursen. Dunney was a pretender for one season but has fallen by the wayside with form, fitness and injuries.
I do worry about Clarkys concentration and positioning. He needs it sorting. But much like Curtis Davies, when he had Laursen playing by his side he looked a hell of a lot better. Laursen kept the backline in tow. When he was out and we didn't have a commanding centre half, Davies looked total bobbins. Clark would benefit from the same on field tutorship. Vlaar doesn't do that. He's still getting to grips with this league himself he's got enough of his own positional problems to worry about, let alone a partner and two full backs as well.

It's not too late for Clark but next season is the defining one. Will he be a Villa player for the future, or should he move on.
I don't rate him as a midfielder either. To me that's just pushing him forward for the sake of limiting his defensive frailties. He's certainly not good enough to get close to our current preferred line up in CM.

[PaulWinch again]

He badly needs to cut out his lapses in concentration.

[myf]

Hmmm, banged a few goals in from midfield last year but a very challenging season at centre back and having the captains armband this year.  Definitely potential there so offer him the contract.

[Dave Cooper please]

Clark will be a very good player for us, he suffered more than most during our horrible run around January and it really seemed to knock his confidence but I have faith that he'll get over it and come back strong.

[richardhubbard]

He reminds me of Gareth Barry, I do think he will end up as a cultured midfielder

[Ads]

We needed to take him out of the firing line in January, but unfortunately couldn't.

I think he is a good player, but Baker, who is guilty of his own concentration lapses, has overtaken him in my view.

[neo_Villan]

Does loyalty work both ways? Can we chastise players for a lack of loyalty when they go on to pastures new whilst at the same time talk about trying to offload players who are still young and learning...

I don't really see why people seem to reserve more patience for Clark then they do for the likes of Bannan, Albrighton, Herd and Fonz who are all the same age. Why is it acceptable to say the aforementioned aren't good enough while Clark is still 'young and learning'?

Maybe because they think they see better player within Clark than the others you mentioned?

Fair enough but then they have to say why and not use the argument that he is young and therefore will get better. I have to say that he hasn't been any better then Bannan this season. Both have had some good games but have had far more bad ones. In football you have to take your chances when they come. Just like Westwood and Lowton have for example.

[ozzjim]

Clark will be a very good player for us, he suffered more than most during our horrible run around January and it really seemed to knock his confidence but I have faith that he'll get over it and come back strong.

He carried all the responsibility when Vlaar was out so mentally it was much tougher on him. Captain a lot, and shipping goals. He will be back a better player for it all I am sure.

[Irish villain]

A good rest in the summer, a bit of gym work and we will see a much better player. Last season was a big step up for Clark and he came through it a more mature player. He will go into next season with a lot more games under his belt. Could surprise a few next season.

[Clampy]

He reminds me of Gareth Barry, I do think he will end up as a cultured midfielder

Me too, i don't think he's a centre half and he's definatley not a left back.

[SoccerHQ]

Much prefer Baker in central defence tbh, I think he has played well since coming in for Clark.

Really don't see Clark as being good enough as a centre half in the premier league, maybe as a left back or midfielder.

[Steve67]

Clark is a lower half Premier League player, if Villa want to move forward, I daresay that Clark may be left behind.  Perhaps needs to change his style and become the ball winning central midfielder that I feel we need.  I can't see it though.

Great debate, by the way.

[neo_Villan]

I think Clark should look at David Luiz's successful transition to midfield and look to emulate that.