Submitted By: Axl
As Aston Villa take stock of last season and plan for the next, no player is as enigmatic as Ciaran Clark.
He defies categorisation. He was at the centre of last season’s successful battle against relegation – but did he have a good season? He showed some moments of sublime talent, but was also guilty of some awful lapses. He is at the core of the team, but where he fit into your Villa first choice XI? and of course, there’s also the enduring question of whether he’s best playing as a defender or a midfielder?
The need to categorise Ciaran Clark is only necessary because he is entering the final year of his contract and Villa are considering offering him another. As he turns 24 in September, this contract is a pivotal moment in his relationship with Villa.
Do you think Ciaran Clark should be offered a new contract? How do you think Villa could get the best out of Ciaran Clark?
Personally, I think Villa should only give Clark a twelve-month extension. This would reward his performances last season whilst emphasising that he has to step up a gear to fulfil his potential. I would make it clear that he’s a primarily defensive midfielder, who will fall back to provide cover when Ron Vlaar ventures up field. In this regard, his mission next season is to try to displace Delph or Sylla.
What are your views? How do you think Villa can get the best out of the conundrum that is Ciaran Clark?
I’d say let him fight it out this season and if he manages to improve offer him a contract. With all due respect I thought he was awful last year and unless he can improve it’s goodbye for him.
I agree with you on that.
If he is playing well and in the team, then we can offer him a contract to stay before January.
Shouldn’t imagine that there will be many clubs watching him at the moment, he had a poor season for me last time out, but I think has the ability and talent, just needs the right mindset.
Out of him and Cahill when they both broke through, I thought that Clark was going to be the better player.
It would seem, that with the likes of Sylla and Westwood brought in, and Gardner hopefully back to fitness that his DM role has been taken, and he’s far too error prone to be trusted at the back.
I think it really depends on his wages. At the moment he is probably 4th choice centre half, but he does undoubtedly have potential which he may or may not realise. Young centre halves are always prone to errors, that’s just part and parcel of the game – and in fairness who has he had to learn from??? – Remember who Cahill learnt from??? If his wages aren’t huge and he is prepared to wait his turn and put the effort in would offer him a further 2 years. He is not that disimilar at this point in his development then Cahill was, I would hate to see him as an England international at a Champions League team in a couple of years just because we didn’t have patience with him
I can’t recall the moments of sublime talent that you’re referring to in this article and thought he was woeful last season. However, I do think he’s worth persevering with now that we’ve recruited a couple of decent defenders in Okore and Luna.
He’s a terrific player. Give him a 3 year contract based on appearances. He’s still young
I dont think it is a condundrum. He is a great player to have in the squad as he is so versatile. I dont think he is a first XI player…at least not at Villa. However, if he is okay with that then we keep him. He can play CB or LB and slot in to shore up the midfield whenever needed.
Speaking of Ciaran Clark I saw him today in town 😛
I have failed to see the sublime talent also. Get rid, and give someone else a chance, maybe from the reserves?..he’s had a good few years in the team now and has nothing to show for it, i thought he looked good on his debut when we actually kept a clean sheet! but since then bar the odd decent game he has regressed rather than progressed. He’s not a LB, He is too slow and clumsy for a CB and the DM spot is already taken by more promissing players. Id like to see him do well but sadly dont think it will happen and if it does it wont be with us and it wont be in the prem. UTV
Do we know how good he can be in DM? I can’t remember past his rather poor appearances as CB.