TheAuthority Posted August 6, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted August 6, 2016 On 8/4/2016 at 04:19, VillaChris said: MON wasn't going to play him that day but had little option, he actually asked Heskey to play CB before he turned to Clark. He would've probably benefited if Houllier had stayed like a few of the other young players who broke through like Albrighton and Bannan. SImply didn't mature into as good a CB as I thought he would when Lambert finally gave him a regular run in that position. He'll probably be o.k for Newcastle this season as they'll dominate most games and won't be under much pressure but will be found out when they're promoted. He simply isn't good enough to play week in week out in the premier league. Yep I remember his debut against Fulham and he looked very composed on the ball. He had a more experienced partner in Carlos Cuellar next to him which allowed him to show that he was much more comfortable with the ball at his feet than the Spaniard. His every touch was cheered by the Villa crowd and the team at that point was strong, confident and tough to beat. He was thrown into the deep end during the struggles of Houllier's season and he never looked as confident or composed again. In some ways many of the youth team around that time became used to losing and struggling. Who is to say what would have happened if they had been introduced slowly into a more competitive side. At Clarks age I think he is as good as he's ever going to be and 5 million is good money for an academy graduate (the same amount we sold Cahill to Bolton.) We can be confident however that Clark will not emulate anything near Cahill's success. Good luck Ciaran - you will forever be remembered as one half of the Chuckle Brothers and for lots of people spelling your name incorrectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted August 6, 2016 Moderator Share Posted August 6, 2016 I think he is likely to be Newcastle's 3rd or even 4th choice CB. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan-scott Posted August 6, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted August 6, 2016 4 hours ago, TrentVilla said: I think he is likely to be Newcastle's 3rd or even 4th choice CB. Definitely. Lascelles made captain and Hanley joining knowing the division already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted August 6, 2016 Moderator Share Posted August 6, 2016 3 minutes ago, villan-scott said: Definitely. Lascelles made captain and Hanley joining knowing the division already. They've also got Mbemba 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan-scott Posted August 6, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted August 6, 2016 7 minutes ago, TrentVilla said: They've also got Mbemba Forgot him. At least Clark can sit comfortably knowing he's picking up a bigger pay cheque every week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 had Paul Dummett left back last night and Rafa said Clark is capable at left back its going to happen Adama vs Clark could be greatest mismatch in history 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted August 6, 2016 Moderator Share Posted August 6, 2016 3 minutes ago, Zatman said: had Paul Dummett left back last night and Rafa said Clark is capable at left back its going to happen Adama vs Clark could be greatest mismatch in history He wouldn't make the 2nd half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 Yes he will play LB I think, Dummett is a terrible player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 11 hours ago, TrentVilla said: I think he is likely to be Newcastle's 3rd or even 4th choice CB. They've sussed him out already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders0223 Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 12 hours ago, VillaChris said: Yes he will play LB I think, Dummett is a terrible player. Watching him made me very happy we don't have the worst 'footballing' fullback in the league. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael118 Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 (edited) From the Transfer and Speculation thread - @nick76 I'll be surprised if Clark turns out to be "just another defender" at Newcastle. He has all the makings to be a top class centre back if someone is prepared to back him in and allow him to develop. At his best, he has at least as much leadership ability as Elphick and is a much better player overall. @hippo He's 26, turning 27 next month. That's plenty of time for him to come good especially considering he never settled in properly at Villa. @StefanAVFC To be fair to him you could say the same about most of our players including ones that have left. Under a better manager and at a club that values him I can see him being a real asset. Edited August 19, 2016 by Michael118 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick76 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 10 hours ago, Michael118 said: From the Transfer and Speculation thread - @nick76 I'll be surprised if Clark turns out to be "just another defender" at Newcastle. He has all the makings to be a top class centre back if someone is prepared to back him in and allow him to develop. At his best, he has at least as much leadership ability as Elphick and is a much better player overall. @hippo He's 26, turning 27 next month. That's plenty of time for him to come good especially considering he never settled in properly at Villa. @StefanAVFC To be fair to him you could say the same about most of our players including ones that have left. Under a better manager and at a club that values him I can see him being a real asset. I've never seen any time that Clark has shown he could be a top class defender. Even in his best games for us there were obvious weaknesses to his game. At the age he is now, coming into his prime, those weaknesses should've been ironed out or reduced. Yes, his managers haven't been great but Rafa is no defensive expert and mistakes that Clark makes are basic defending mistakes. I don't agree with the leadership part that he could be better than Elphick, I would like to understand what basis you have for that. Elphick is a proven and admired captain by his former club and fans, Clark has never been mentioned in that breath and never shown it on the pitch. It's one thing Villa has been lacking so if he was captain material, by its very nature, he would've stepped up but didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted August 20, 2016 Moderator Share Posted August 20, 2016 13 hours ago, Michael118 said: From the Transfer and Speculation thread - @nick76 I'll be surprised if Clark turns out to be "just another defender" at Newcastle. He has all the makings to be a top class centre back if someone is prepared to back him in and allow him to develop. At his best, he has at least as much leadership ability as Elphick and is a much better player overall. @hippo He's 26, turning 27 next month. That's plenty of time for him to come good especially considering he never settled in properly at Villa. @StefanAVFC To be fair to him you could say the same about most of our players including ones that have left. Under a better manager and at a club that values him I can see him being a real asset. And the point is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted August 20, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted August 20, 2016 He was always a player who had potential but never kicked on. He's not going to become a top defender, id be surprised if he even plays regularly. When he does, he will cost Newcastle points. I feel so much more comfortable with Elphick and Chester as a pair than either of those with Clark. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 (edited) All this talk about him 'developing' into a good defender and having potential. He's 27 soon! Chester is 27. Elphick is 28. I can't see Clark getting better. I know players don't develop at the same rate but at 27, you would think he would be approaching his peak? Edited August 20, 2016 by Xela 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael118 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 8 hours ago, TrentVilla said: And the point is? The point is the same one I made in the transfer speculation thread that Clark will end up being a better purchase than Elphick. I am simply replying to the posts I didn't get a chance to a few nights ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael118 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 12 hours ago, nick76 said: I've never seen any time that Clark has shown he could be a top class defender. Even in his best games for us there were obvious weaknesses to his game. At the age he is now, coming into his prime, those weaknesses should've been ironed out or reduced. Yes, his managers haven't been great but Rafa is no defensive expert and mistakes that Clark makes are basic defending mistakes. I don't agree with the leadership part that he could be better than Elphick, I would like to understand what basis you have for that. Elphick is a proven and admired captain by his former club and fans, Clark has never been mentioned in that breath and never shown it on the pitch. It's one thing Villa has been lacking so if he was captain material, by its very nature, he would've stepped up but didn't. You must have missed the stretch of matches he was partnered with Okore then. He looked every bit an emerging top class CB during that period. My basis for the leadership comment was the leadership qualities he showed during that period. He looked like a premier league captain and was only just beginning to find his feet. I really don't think he has touched the surface with his potential and I'm tipping he will if he is backed in at Newcastle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick76 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 53 minutes ago, Michael118 said: You must have missed the stretch of matches he was partnered with Okore then. He looked every bit an emerging top class CB during that period. My basis for the leadership comment was the leadership qualities he showed during that period. He looked like a premier league captain and was only just beginning to find his feet. I really don't think he has touched the surface with his potential and I'm tipping he will if he is backed in at Newcastle. I thought he was good during that period no doubt but I never thought wow! he could be something special and I felt more praise was due to okore. Still never saw any captain material during that spell, not a leader vocally or really a leader by action. Just a defender having a good period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael118 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 33 minutes ago, nick76 said: I thought he was good during that period no doubt but I never thought wow! he could be something special and I felt more praise was due to okore. Still never saw any captain material during that spell, not a leader vocally or really a leader by action. Just a defender having a good period. Ok, well I did. I thought he was on track to be our next captain and felt we would be lucky if we could hold onto him. His leadership is what stood out for me. He looked fearless and was playing boldly and with confidence. Definitely a player who I saw as leading by example in those matches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted August 20, 2016 Moderator Share Posted August 20, 2016 2 hours ago, Michael118 said: The point is the same one I made in the transfer speculation thread that Clark will end up being a better purchase than Elphick. I am simply replying to the posts I didn't get a chance to a few nights ago. So the point is you found three posts that agree with your view on Clark? I think you are wrong by the way, Elphick is a far superior defender to Clark and I don't see that changing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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