Killeen30 Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 (edited) While I thought Clark would do better last season than he did I would by no means sell him just yet. Hopefully this year he will get his head down and get stuck in with Okore coming in. I fancy Okore and Vlaar to start the season and its up to the likes of Clark and even Baker to force their way into the team. Lambert obviously rates and likes him as he was captain for parts of last season. Edited July 1, 2013 by Killeen30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Con Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert agrees new contracts with rising stars Ashley Westwood and Ciaran Clark Clark, the Republic of Ireland international defender, has 12 months left on his current contract but is ready to join the likes of Andreas Weimann, Brad Guzan and Nathan Baker by committing his future to Lambert this summer. Both players are expected to officially sign when Villa return from their pre-season tour of Germany early next week, while defender Matthew Lowton is also believed to be in discussions over a new deal. Benteke is not scheduled to start pre-season training until Thursday, after handing in a transfer request on Monday. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10177481/Aston-Villa-manager-Paul-Lambert-agrees-new-contracts-with-rising-stars-Ashley-Westwood-and-Ciaran-Clark.html This is the boost the team needs with the Benteke saga dragging the club through the mud. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMcGrath_5 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 It's just a shame that Clark is not very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Con Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Just a couple of high-profile errors. It's not as though he scored two own goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted July 16, 2013 Moderator Share Posted July 16, 2013 This will be a big season for Clark. Yes I know the last one was too but for different reasons. He will possibly start this season as Vlaar's partner given that he was first choice until his injury last season. With Okore and Baker nipping at his heels he'll have to perform well. I think if he can eradicate his howlers then there's a good cultured centre back in there. Hopefully it's just experience that he needs. He's not a bad player. And I still think he has an eye for goal too from corners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchard Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) I think he suffers from the same problem Gareth Barry had at his age - he looks like he has some ability but no one is sure what his best position is. He's better than Baker though,just, who is utter gash. Edited July 16, 2013 by Pilchard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Con Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I wouldn't be that harsh on Baker but Clark is in theory better going forward, which is important for a defender in the modern game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrees Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 More positives from the management team of Lambert and Faulkner. Lambert knows who he wants and Faulkner is getting them signed up. Now they both need to improve in the dead wood moving department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggy_333 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I think he suffers from the same problem Gareth Barry had at his age - he looks like he has some ability but no one is sure what his best position is. He's better than Baker though,just, who is utter gash. You're entitled to your opinion about Baker but you're wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condimentalist Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I think he suffers from the same problem Gareth Barry had at his age - he looks like he has some ability but no one is sure what his best position is. He's better than Baker though,just, who is utter gash. Utter gash? Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Dont mind Clark getting a new deal. As said before we need a squad and as 4th choice its hard to think of many teams with a better 4th choice centre half Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanAVFC Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 He's better than Baker though,just, who is utter gash. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.I.C.O. Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 If Lambert persists with playing Clark in the centre of defence then his career will go down the toilet, as he is crap at centre back. I'd love to see Clark play in a holding midfield role where he originally came into the team. He just looks so lost at the back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchard Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I think he suffers from the same problem Gareth Barry had at his age - he looks like he has some ability but no one is sure what his best position is. He's better than Baker though,just, who is utter gash. Utter gash? Please. I am aware that my opinion is rather different to most on here, but he seemed to be at fault for too many goals conceded last year for my liking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Clark was worse though, defence seemed more comfortable at end with Baker in there instead of Clark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smetrov Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Even if you ignore Clarks errors - he doesn't seem to do an awful lot right - I don't find myself out of my seat applauding a good tackle, or a firm header under pressure - he's kind of just 'there'. I can't quite work out how he was so highly rated as a teenager - he doesn't seem to have the attributes of a CB. Lambo seems to rate him though - so he will probably get more games next season than some expect. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggy_333 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I think he suffers from the same problem Gareth Barry had at his age - he looks like he has some ability but no one is sure what his best position is. He's better than Baker though,just, who is utter gash. Utter gash? Please. I am aware that my opinion is rather different to most on here, but he seemed to be at fault for too many goals conceded last year for my liking. Young player in making mistakes shocker... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomaszk Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Poor player at the minute. Needs to learn how to head. And get in the gym, never seen such a weak centre half. Probably more technical ability than a lot of centre halves, but it matters diddly squit if you can't tackle, read the game, or head. Liam Ridgewell was better at the same age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) Double post Edited July 16, 2013 by mikeyp102 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 If Lambert persists with playing Clark in the centre of defence then his career will go down the toilet, as he is crap at centre back. I'd love to see Clark play in a holding midfield role where he originally came into the team. He just looks so lost at the back. Pretty sure he first came in at CB, Kmac played him there against West Ham. Also who would he replace in Cm? I never rated him there myself anyway.... Too slow and not enough technical ability (even for a cb he isn't bad). Lambert obviously rates him, so will be interesting to see if he steps up now under competition from Okore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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