Ciaran Clark - now gone

[Gregorys Boy]

Think he's improved a lot over the last few years.  Not just that but he is a threat from set pieces which is always a plus.  I would have kept him as Lescott I think is past it, and Baker is just poor.  The way it stands he will need to sign another centre back and I don't think some youth prospect from Man Utd is the answer.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

I think he could prove to be a good signing at this level, a definite step up from Baker in my opinion

[Chris Jameson]

Farewell Ciaran Clark.
47% of Villa supporters could never spell your name correctly.
Is it Cieran?
Is it Clarke?

[cdbearsfan]

Ludicrous trolling from the Mail. Saying Newcastle are a "massive club" does not imply that we aren't one.

[KevinGage]

The thing that concerns me out of all this is that Clark, Weimann, Bannan, Delfonsono and Gabby way back all showed good potential and none of them have really been able to kick on and become big players for us.

When you see some of the duffers they will have operated under over the past five years, it's a waste.

Not that they have been complete failures, mind. Three of that lot do play international football. 

There will always be players who looked the part in youth teams but can't quite make the transition. But all that lot have showed an aptitude for top flight football at various stages.  We're not talking about a Dean Spink or Dave Farrell scenario where they were just clearly out of their depth.

[john2710]

I think we'd have kept him if we'd been able to shift either Lescott or Richards.

I'm not fused either way, he was a big part of a defence that was nothing more than an embarrassment. Thought he'd improved during the previous season but took a massive step backwards last season.

Goodbye & good luck.

[Ads]

Think he's improved a lot over the last few years.  Not just that but he is a threat from set pieces which is always a plus.  I would have kept him as Lescott I think is past it, and Baker is just poor.  The way it stands he will need to sign another centre back and I don't think some youth prospect from Man Utd is the answer.

He's was a massive threat to us on set pieces.

[Ad@m]

The thing that concerns me out of all this is that Clark, Weimann, Bannan, Delfonsono and Gabby way back all showed good potential and none of them have really been able to kick on and become big players for us.

When you see some of the duffers they will have operated under over the past five years, it's a waste.

Not that they have been complete failures, mind. Three of that lot do play international football. 

There will always be players who looked the part in youth teams but can't quite make the transition. But all that lot have showed an aptitude for top flight football at various stages.  We're not talking about a Dean Spink or Dave Farrell scenario where they were just clearly out of their depth.

This is the thing for me.  Ever since MON left (and this is by no way me lauding MON!) the coaching has been so bad I couldn't actually name one player beyond Benteke (who probably improved despite the coaching) who actually improved during his time with us.

I always thought Clark would come good for us and I hope he's still got enough time to develop in to the player he always promised.

[Toronto Villa]

Good luck Colin. Looking forward to you sending your back pass into the path of Ross as he walks in to score.

[chrisw1]

I think some of the venom I have seen (not really on here) is a bit unnecessary.  I suspect he was encouraged to go by RDM once the release clause was triggered, or at least not given any particular assurances about his future here.  He's been a decent servant to the club, but never really kicked on. 

I hope he does ok, but of course at the same time hope his new club implodes.

[garyshawsknee]

Never quite worked out for him here, think he suffered from crap coaching and being in a crappy side for so long as the kid that broke through under GH looked like he could go all the way to the top. Good luck to him, was one of the few last season to actually give a fcuk.

[N'Zimidy]

Nice lad but never progressed like we had all hoped.

He still produced one of my favourite moments as a Villa fan over the past five years.

[PeterWithesShin]

Must admit I loved this tackle of his

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Good luck to him. Agree with PWS, I'll miss his crunching tackles.

I've a sneaking feeling Benitez will eventually use him as a defensive midfielder rather than a centre back. For me, it's always been his best position. As centre halves go, I don't think I've ever been that comfortable seeing his name on the team sheet.

[aj2k77]

I hope they do use him as a defensive mid, he can't pass, he's not strong and he's slow. Anything to fuck them up is fine by me.