Ciaran Clark - now gone

[saunders_heroes]

The last 5 years have made me negative, or would you rather a messageboard full of cheerleaders jumping up and down with pom poms with inane grins of their faces while the team lurches from one disaster to another?
Again, I don't have to justify when I post and I've certainly never been a prolific poster like others on here but that's not to say I haven't commented on the players we've signed this summer because I have and I've been positive about them. You are wrong to suggest I only pipe up to criticise, but I'll certainly criticise when I feel I should. I've never been a fan of Clark, or Baker, or even Okore, and the sooner they've gone the better. That's just my opinion though which I'm entitled to.
I don't know why you've had a go at me because I can honestly say I've never even noticed your name before.

[London Villan]

Much improved last season, deserves the deal, but needs to maintain his performance levels. When TSM2 took over he said Clark was a defender, not a midfielder. We've just started to see it.

[pauliewalnuts]

I didn't say that you have to justify when you post, but I've certainly not seen your name much over the last few months, which is why it would be relevant if, in amidst a general upswing in humour amongst most posters, even some of our more habitually negative posters, you showed up, pretty much out of the blue with a complete haymaker type swing at a player who was one of the few bright spots last year.

Can't argue that your opinion hasn't been consistent over the last few years.  We don't spend enough, regardless of what we can afford.
I'm not saying you're a troll, but to me you are almost unrelentingly negative, and your answer to everything is spend more money, regardless of what we can afford.
Of course if you've got an opinion you should give it.
That last sentence doesn't quite work does it? To make my mind up I'll have to read it, by which time it will be too late if I decide i don't like it.

That to me seems more than a bit harsh.

Not rating Clark (and I disagree) is hardly the height of controversy.

If that's what he thinks, he's perfectly entitled to say it. I certainly don't see much in his post to trigger such a response, in any case.

[kippaxvilla2]

In addition SH never shuts up so the first post in months bit is wide of the mark :-)

[Sexual Ealing]

Guys, crack out the Garibaldis and let's just all smoke some pints.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Anyway I thought Clark kind of came into his own last season bit like Delph the season before. I am pretty happy he is sticking around.

[Gregorys Boy]

Out of most our young players he seems like one of the most promising and had a solid season last considering how we struggled. Of course I don't expect him to stay the extra five years, but its a positive statement to advance his deal.

[PaulWinch again]

Clark was excellent last year, so I can't see why anyone wouldn't be happy with this. If he continues to develop he could be very very good.

[CT]

If they'd given him this contract this time last year I'd have been pretty shocked.

Last year though, he was on for Player of the Season for me until the injury and showed enough to suggest he can be a really commanding centre back. So I'm pleased, I really hope he kicks on now.

[aj2k77]

I wouldn't go as far as to say he was excellent, for me, he was competent, which stood out in a team full of bad performances. He deserves a new deal but I've no doubt Tim will want high standards from him and if they aren't met he will be gone.

[Mister E]

Saunders_Heroes: you've been consistent in your rating of Clark. Fair enough, I respect that.
I've also been consistent in hoping that Clark would come good. Last season, I think he did so.
He deserves another year, and I think he will benefit from working alongside Richards. The crucial factor will be fitness: if both keep fit, we'll do okay.

[Percy McCarthy]

SH ain't that bad. Are you sure you're not confusing him with the other bloke?

[SoccerHQ]

Clark played very well with Okore I thought, was a good combination.

Hopefully him and Richards is a good combo aswell as that will be the partnership for the first few weeks at least.

[thick_mike]

Yes, Clark + Okore did very well together and seemed to understand each other very well.

The problem we have had at the Villa is that we can't keep a centre back partnership together for more than three games in a row.

[SoccerHQ]

I wonder if we'll go back three when Okore returns, certainly would put me more at ease with Richard's suicidal surges from the back.

Surprised 3-5-2 hasn't been played in pre season, would prefer it to 4-4-2.