Ciaran Clark - now gone

[Toronto Villa]

Have always quite liked Clark.  So far he and Okore look a decent pairing.  Vlaar is in and out, Baker is terrible, and Sanderoes I think would get found out over time.  So no need to change for now.

To be fair Baker has been excellent most of this season. Easily one of, if not the most improved players.

[Matt Collins]

Yeah I'd say baker is second only to Hutton in that respect

Defensively we've been much better this year.  That is partly because we've parked the bus in most of our games. Mcleish wouldn't have got away with being this defensive. I find it really embarrassing

[ozzjim]

I think Okore looks a lot calmer though. He also also reads the game a bit better.  Considering he had not played for well over a year to play twice in 4 days was a real bonus.  Clark is doing ok but is still way too jittery on the ball for me.

[rob_bridge]

I have a big critic of Clark - however his performances in recent games have been a marked improvement, especially Southampton where he looked ever inch a Premiership player.

At least it looks like we now have one area of the pitch where there are options.

[curiousorange]

It's probably stating the obvious, but Clark and Baker both look better because they've been playing with defenders who have good positional awareness. Together, neither of them was the senior partner each could rely on, but Okore and Senderos know what they're doing, as does Vlaar when he is capable of playing. It makes both a lot calmer.

I don't underestimate having Hutton in defence either. When one side of the pitch is virtually covered, it makes the other that much easier to police.

[rob_bridge]

It's probably stating the obvious, but Clark and Baker both look better because they've been playing with defenders who have good positional awareness. Together, neither of them was the senior partner each could rely on, but Okore and Senderos know what they're doing, as does Vlaar when he is capable of playing. It makes both a lot calmer.

I don't underestimate having Hutton in defence either. When one side of the pitch is virtually covered, it makes the other that much easier to police.

To be fair Baker and Clark had shite games when they weren't paired together as well as when they were.

[andyh]

I think Okore looks a lot calmer though. He also also reads the game a bit better.  Considering he had not played for well over a year to play twice in 4 days was a real bonus.  Clark is doing ok but is still way too jittery on the ball for me.

its not just the amount of time that Okore had out.
We must also remember the kid has started no more than 5 games at this level.
Even with Vlaar (most likely) fucking off, I think the centre half position is the very least of our worries.   

[supertom]

Clark's done well.
To be fair to him and Baker. Lamberts game plan dictates that we're going to be under the cosh, home or away, against pretty much 19 opponents, for at least 70 minutes of every single game. Young defenders will consequently make mistakes.

This season Baker and Clark have played well. Partly because they're more experienced now. Partly because they haven't been partnered (which ultimately forces one onto the right) and also because our fullback positions are more solid. Hutton has been brilliant. Cissokho started off very well, although he's looking a mess at the moment. That said Aly still looks rock solid compared to anyone we had on the left in the last two seasons.
Not having Bacuna or Lowton on the right going missing or bullied (in Lowton's case) has helped.

I think we're actually quite good at CH, even if Vlaar fucks off. What would help our defence is to not put so much pressure on it with our grotesque excuse for a gameplan. I don't care who you have, we could have McGrath and Maldini at the back in their prime and they'd struggle having to defend non-stop for 80 minutes.

[tomd2103]

Clark's done well.
To be fair to him and Baker. Lamberts game plan dictates that we're going to be under the cosh, home or away, against pretty much 19 opponents, for at least 70 minutes of every single game. Young defenders will consequently make mistakes.

This season Baker and Clark have played well. Partly because they're more experienced now. Partly because they haven't been partnered (which ultimately forces one onto the right) and also because our fullback positions are more solid. Hutton has been brilliant. Cissokho started off very well, although he's looking a mess at the moment. That said Aly still looks rock solid compared to anyone we had on the left in the last two seasons.
Not having Bacuna or Lowton on the right going missing or bullied (in Lowton's case) has helped.

I think we're actually quite good at CH, even if Vlaar fucks off. What would help our defence is to not put so much pressure on it with our grotesque excuse for a gameplan. I don't care who you have, we could have McGrath and Maldini at the back in their prime and they'd struggle having to defend non-stop for 80 minutes.

I think we would have to replace Vlaar if he left, simply due to the fact that the remaining options have had their injury problems and we could be left short.  Wouldn't have to be a starter and ideally would be someone who could cover at full-back if necessary. 

[supertom]

Clark's done well.
To be fair to him and Baker. Lamberts game plan dictates that we're going to be under the cosh, home or away, against pretty much 19 opponents, for at least 70 minutes of every single game. Young defenders will consequently make mistakes.

This season Baker and Clark have played well. Partly because they're more experienced now. Partly because they haven't been partnered (which ultimately forces one onto the right) and also because our fullback positions are more solid. Hutton has been brilliant. Cissokho started off very well, although he's looking a mess at the moment. That said Aly still looks rock solid compared to anyone we had on the left in the last two seasons.
Not having Bacuna or Lowton on the right going missing or bullied (in Lowton's case) has helped.

I think we're actually quite good at CH, even if Vlaar fucks off. What would help our defence is to not put so much pressure on it with our grotesque excuse for a gameplan. I don't care who you have, we could have McGrath and Maldini at the back in their prime and they'd struggle having to defend non-stop for 80 minutes.

I think we would have to replace Vlaar if he left, simply due to the fact that the remaining options have had their injury problems and we could be left short.  Wouldn't have to be a starter and ideally would be someone who could cover at full-back if necessary. 

In as much as Phil Senderos and Baker are injury prone, then probably yes, a replacement is needed. Though it can wait until the summer.

[dcdavecollett]

Perhaps Donacien could perform those two tasks next season.

[SoccerHQ]

I actually though Clark was decent for a lot of last season....alongside Vlaar. He was much improved from 12/13 and things only went to pieces when it was him and Baker.

Looks to me at 25 he realises this is last chance saloon at prem level and so is taking his chance accordingly.

The exciting thing for me is if Okore looks this assured next to Clark, how will he look alongside Vlaar or Senderos?

[silhillvilla]

By default , we may have actually uncovered our best CB pairing in Okore & Clark ? Would like to see how they fair against better opposition though.

[aj2k77]

Like Paul, I think he's been excellent. Hope he's turned the corner and doesn't go back to his old ways.

[Mister E]

By default , we may have actually uncovered our best CB pairing in Okore & Clark ? Would like to see how they fair against better opposition though.

Well, both are mobile and both are decent footballers.
And neither are paired with Baker ...

we've played more defensively from midfield this season, which has helped. And, as someone above said, we've had better players at Fullback.