Ciaran Clark - now gone

[London Villan]

New start for him, good luck. Never faulted his attitude. I think most Villa fans would wish him good fortune, as long as we stuff 4 past them home and away.

[adrenachrome]

I can see both sides of the Ciaran Clark argument about his usefulness, and I have expressed doubts about left footed DCM's who might replace him. Baker is in the frame at the moment.

What is clear though, is that RDM seemed to want the player to stay, and it was a release clause which enabled his departure.

[supertom]

I've always thought Clark was very similar to Steven Taylor. The good and bad points to be honest (though Clakkers is marginally better). I'm astounded that it took the Toon so long to get rid of Taylor, only to buy a player like Clark...for a pretty hefty fee in all honesty. I think we've done well out of this, and I say this as someone who felt Clark still had something to offer here. Will he ever fulfil his potential? I'm not so sure. I think in 2 years he'll be back in the championship as Newcastle will probably be in the Prem and probably inevitably replace him.

[pooligan]

Would have preferred the likes of Lescott ,Richards and Baker to have departed before Clark but just like Gana not to disappointed he has jumped ship .I never liked how he was bullied by the opposition and of course was always prone to a massive cock up

[PeterWithe]

There are quite a few players at Villa who whilst not being terrible, would benefit both us and them by moving on. The stench of failure is overwhelming and I'm sure we will see a few more out soon.

[supertom]

There are quite a few players at Villa who whilst not being terrible, would benefit both us and them by moving on. The stench of failure is overwhelming and I'm sure we will see a few more out soon.

We're in this position where we could do with cashing in on some players. That we've raked in 12 million for two average players this week, given how poor our entire side was last season is good going. Lets face it, selling the likes of Gabby, Lescott etc is going to be nigh on impossible.
I actually think Baker will fare better (when fit...yep...I know...) than Clark in the Championship. He's better in the air and stronger and he's just had a full season in the 2nd tier too.

Clark always tried though and didn't have the piss poor attitude of many here, so I wish him well on that front. But he'll go to Newcastle and make mistakes for them now.

[PeterWithe]

I'd be tempted to sell Baker whilst he has a decent value.

[Dave]

He would put in a crunch tackle and then  misjudge the simplest of balls.  Not the complete footballer and as an individual sorry but not fussed.

However, I am  concerned about the likes of  him and Gana jumping  ship just before the season  on the back of what I can only describe as poor contract terms for the Villa. 

To me I can't understand the validity of a contract if players simply hold each and every string.

They don't. If the club weren't happy with the terms in the contract, he wouldn't have been offered the contract.

His wages drop, so he's allowed to move to a new club willing to pay him more, as long as they pay us a fee that we are happy with.

If no club thinks he's worth what we're happy to sell him for, he carries on with his reduced wages.

Seems more fair than pretty much anything else in football.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

I'd be tempted to sell Baker whilst he has a decent value.

this

[JD]

Always wanted him to improve but what is he now 26? Thought he might be better in a defensive midfield role, but he's not been clever enough to read a game and anticipate what is happening (hence the lapses of concentration). No hard feelings, I wish Clark well but I am not too bothered about him leaving.   

[SashasGrandad]

I think he did form a good partnership with Okore - but he seems to be out of favour as well.

I'm just worried about his fish.  He gets his Koi for his garden pond from the same supplier as we do. Hope he doesn't rent his house to one of our new players who does not how to look after them.

[UK Redsox]

I think he did form a good partnership with Okore - but he seems to be out of favour as well.

I'm just worried about his fish.  He gets his Koi for his garden pond from the same supplier as we do. Hope he doesn't rent his house to one of our new players who does not how to look after them.

Maybe he'll give the Koi to you and you can then say to him; "so long, and thanks for all the fish" 

[UK Redsox]

A Clark special against Leicester

[Brend'Watkins]

I think he did form a good partnership with Okore - but he seems to be out of favour as well.

I'm just worried about his fish.  He gets his Koi for his garden pond from the same supplier as we do. Hope he doesn't rent his house to one of our new players who does not how to look after them.

Maybe the fish are what swung the deal?

[robbo1874]

I think he did form a good partnership with Okore - but he seems to be out of favour as well.

I'm just worried about his fish.  He gets his Koi for his garden pond from the same supplier as we do. Hope he doesn't rent his house to one of our new players who does not how to look after them.

Maybe he'll give the Koi to you and you can then say to him; "so long, and thanks for all the fish" 

please stop carping on Redsox...