Ciaran Clark - now gone

[The Villa Werewolf]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

Do you honestly believe that Clark intended to hurt his opponent in that challenge? I've not heard that perspective yet.

I do. It was just after Westwood went off and there was absolutely no need to go in like that. What if he'd got sent off? What if that had led to a scuffle where one of our players got sent off? It was a stupid thing to do.

If it was the other way round, I imagine most of us would be furious.

Christ. Where do you even begin with this one?

[dave shelley]

As a retired referee my opinion on that Clark tackle, FWIW, can be summed up in one word.  To quote Craig Revell-Horwood..."FAB-U-LOUS".

Hard but fair challenges are being slowly eroded from the game.  Perhaps the players themselves are to blame.  You can see how easy they go down when a gust of wind hits them, so the reaction to a full-blooded tackle as we saw yesterday is bound to be exaggerated to the nth degree.

There is no doubt in my mind that Ulloa was hurt by that tackle but, that's an occupational hazard IMO.

[pauliewalnuts]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Clark challenge.

In fact, it was an excellent tackle.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

You all seem to be saying it was a good tackle, but what if Benteke was on the receiving end? Would you just dismiss it as an occupational hazard even though there wasn't any need for a tackle like that?

I know I wouldn't!

[saunders_heroes]

Thought it was a good tackle and I don't know what all the fuss is about. The Westwood tackle was nasty though.

[LeeB]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

Do you honestly believe that Clark intended to hurt his opponent in that challenge? I've not heard that perspective yet.

I do. It was just after Westwood went off and there was absolutely no need to go in like that. What if he'd got sent off? What if that had led to a scuffle where one of our players got sent off? It was a stupid thing to do.

If it was the other way round, I imagine most of us would be furious.

This is ridiculous.

[LeeB]

You all seem to be saying it was a good tackle, but what if Benteke was on the receiving end? Would you just dismiss it as an occupational hazard even though there wasn't any need for a tackle like that?

I know I wouldn't!

So he should've tried to nick the ball away? And then what if he'd failed, and Ulloa was through and scored? He'd be murdered by us.

And I'd imagine trying to do it to Benteke would just leave you in a Chris Smalling shaped mess on the floor.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Clark challenge.

In fact, it was an excellent tackle.

Indeed. My first thoughts after the tackle was I expect Chris Smith loved that. Proper old school challenge.

[dave shelley]

You all seem to be saying it was a good tackle, but what if Benteke was on the receiving end? Would you just dismiss it as an occupational hazard even though there wasn't any need for a tackle like that?

I know I wouldn't!

With respect to your opinion, having refereed at most levels for over twenty odd years; I like to think I'm qualified to say that I think I've seen most things regarding the art of tackling and I've seen some beauts.  That was the perfect execution of a sliding tackle you could ever wish to see.  Clark's feet did not leave the ground until he was within playing distance of the ball, perfectly legal.  Next he made full contact with the ball 100%. Given the speed that Clark was travelling when he made contact with the ball; to expect him to stop instantly to avoid colliding with the opponent would be a) impossible and b) to place himself at risk of serious muscular injury if he tried to do so.

On your point of being angry if Benteke had been tackled like that, my answer would be no, not at all, it is more than likely to happen more than once.  If he's injured due to a fair challenge then, I reiterate, occupational hazard. 

There are very few things in this world I know much about but what I do know is, how to referee a football match and the difference between a hard, fair challenge and a foul.  I wouldn't have reached the standard I did if I couldn't do that.

[Ron Manager]

If Clark had been playing in the 50s to the 70s that would have been a normal full bloodied tackle. Ten a penny in those days.Wouldnt have even been noticed.

[PeterWithesShin]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Clark challenge.

In fact, it was an excellent tackle.

Indeed. My first thoughts after the tackle was I expect Chris Smith loved that. Proper old school challenge.

Texts between me and RedSox straight after the tackle

RedSox: "Now that's what you call a tackle."
Me: "Old school!"

[Tony Erdington]

The boy is improving, and he wears claret and blue

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

You all seem to be saying it was a good tackle, but what if Benteke was on the receiving end? Would you just dismiss it as an occupational hazard even though there wasn't any need for a tackle like that?

I know I wouldn't!

With respect to your opinion, having refereed at most levels for over twenty odd years; I like to think I'm qualified to say that I think I've seen most things regarding the art of tackling and I've seen some beauts.  That was the perfect execution of a sliding tackle you could ever wish to see.  Clark's feet did not leave the ground until he was within playing distance of the ball, perfectly legal.  Next he made full contact with the ball 100%. Given the speed that Clark was travelling when he made contact with the ball; to expect him to stop instantly to avoid colliding with the opponent would be a) impossible and b) to place himself at risk of serious muscular injury if he tried to do so.

On your point of being angry if Benteke had been tackled like that, my answer would be no, not at all, it is more than likely to happen more than once.  If he's injured due to a fair challenge then, I reiterate, occupational hazard. 

There are very few things in this world I know much about but what I do know is, how to referee a football match and the difference between a hard, fair challenge and a foul.  I wouldn't have reached the standard I did if I couldn't do that.

Fair enough.

I wasn't suggesting it was a red card or anything as he did get the ball, but I felt it was too aggressive. I'd prefer our centre backs not to go to ground unless they really had to.

[Chris Smith]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Clark challenge.

In fact, it was an excellent tackle.

Indeed. My first thoughts after the tackle was I expect Chris Smith loved that. Proper old school challenge.

You know me so well.

[Jon Crofts]

The long lost art of the thunderous tackle, marvellous, I think I had a little sex wee.