Ciaran Clark - now gone

[LeeB]

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

I enjoyed that as much as a player as I did scoring.

[ciggiesnbeer]

One thing I have noticed about Clark is he has dramatically reduced, if not eliminated, some of his more "adventurous" attempts to try and keep the ball in play when tackling near the wings. Several times he went over , tackled and coolly put the ball out of of play rather than risk being robbed in possession.

I like that. Make me feel much safer with him.

[pauliewalnuts]

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

It was his facial expression and the way he walked away that made it extra special, as if he was saying "Just doing a job of work here, so have a bit of that"

The post tackle equivalent of a player scoring an amazing goal, then nonchalantly walking away with one arm raised, as if it's the most normal thing in the world to loop one in from 30 yards.

[Jon Crofts]

And the fact no attempt whatsoever was made to see if his opponent was still alive.

[Louzie0]

And the fact no attempt whatsoever was made to see if his opponent was still alive.

That made it a proper tackle.

[darren woolley]

I really enjoyed him making that tackle it was a proper tackle.

[Louzie0]

Snap!

[Villa in Denmark]

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.

It was no more aggressive than the way Ulloa had been trying "to put himself about a bit" or to give it's modern name Shearer's elbows.
That was nothing more than Clark (perfectly legally) giving him a "if you want to f#%k with me you're going to get some back."
About time our players started standing up for themselves.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

And the fact no attempt whatsoever was made to see if his opponent was still alive.

Is it just me?
I hate all this helping each other up after a tackle, foul etc...touching/shaking hands every 3 minutes.
You know why you're there - give each other loads of S**T, shake hands at the end.
Job done.
Clark's tackle was a bit like that...I'm gonna get this ball, fair and square...if you happen to be in the way, so be it. I'm not going to help you to your feet, apologise or seek your approval. If you don't like it, tough!
Agree with LeeB...almost as good as a goal!   

[Keeno]

It's no surprise that Clark has looked at his worst when partnered with Baker - not known for his brains - over the last couple of years, and at his best when playing with cultured, more intelligent CBs in Vlaar and Okore. As long as he's with them he adds the the physicality to go alongside their ball-playing, in a slightly more controlled and effective way than Baker. He's been excellent last 4 games and I'd love to see him and Okore have a good run together over Xmas and hopefully develop a strong partnership, cause we could certainly do with one in case Concrete nips off to United in January.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'm pleased for Clark.  Apparently through the youth ages he was always called "skipper" [or something similar] due to his leadership skills.  I realise that it's not unusual for a footballer to be given a nickname, but that name implied that he has class and the respect of his peers. 

[Dave]

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.

I don't think that anybody (bar one person) has really seen it as anything other than a normal tackle even now.

[AGRIPPA]

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

I enjoyed that as much as a player as I did scoring.
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Almost as good as an interception.....

[peter w]

I thought Clark's tackle was well timed and a bit of a "don't fuck with me" after Ulloa had been putting himself about a bit and trying to bully Clark with a couple of attempts at Shearer-esque challenges.

Not nice to see a player get injured, but as one of the biggest complaints about the team in general is that we're too nice, and Clark in particular hasn't been strong enough it was actually nice to see him stand up for himself. And he's definitely been on the weights in the close season, he looks about 50% broader now.

Also noticeable how the team as a whole stepped up the tackling for a while after Westwood was injured.  A definite "wind your necks in" statement to Leicester, and again nice to see the team sticking up for themselves.

It's one of the things Clark was previously criticised for - his lack of muscle - and he went and took the ball and player. Yes, he knew what he was doing but every now and then a situation presents itself for thetackler where you know you can get the ball and smash the player and it will not be a free-kick. He took it and did it well.

[tomd2103]

Clark is playing very well, and I am confident that with the return of one between  Vlaar, Senderos or Baker, he could even be employed as defensive midfielder should Westwood be injuried.

Not sure Archie.  Can't see a reason to split up the Clark and Okore partnership at the moment.