CONFIRMED Ciaran Clark

[Berkshire Blade]

Not really, rather I see it as quite the stereotype/judgement made from the other side

They are literally owned by the state owned public investment fund

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

They are literally owned by the state owned public investment fund

has absolutely nothing to do with us

 

[Berkshire Blade]

has absolutely nothing to do with us

If a distant cousin of yours was in a industry in a overseas country could help out would you ask? Let's not be naive here... I'm sure unless the Prince is persona non grata due to what his brother did I'm sure he would try and see if there is any benefit in it for us.

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

If a distant cousin of yours was in a industry in a overseas country could help out would you ask? Let's not be naive here... I'm sure unless the Prince is persona non grata due to what his brother did I'm sure he would try and see if there is any benefit in it for us.

Distant cousin? No lol

 

[Overthehills]

No nonsense in the challenge and tough as nails, a sound asset to the squad.

 

[Nah den]

Probably better in the air than most if not all of our defenders from last season. Not a bad player to have on/bring on after going one up with 5 mins to play when we're under constant aerial bombardment and invariably concede having not won the first ball and the second dropping to someone 5 yards out. I saw that as a particular weakness last season.

 

[Booker4]

Probably better in the air than most if not all of our defenders from last season. Not a bad player to have on/bring on after going one up with 5 mins to play when we're under constant aerial bombardment and invariably concede having not won the first ball and the second dropping to someone 5 yards out. I saw that as a particular weakness last season.

I would guess he'll be starting Nah den to be honest because he's come from the PL as an experienced player, likely to be on decent money and we wouldn't bring in someone experienced and on decent money to just be part of the squad - at least that wouldn't be the intention in my view. I think he'll be first choice over Robinson and Robinson will have to win the shirt back. Bit like last season with Davies but he didn't do enough in the end to keep Robbo out, but at the beginning he started a fair bit.

 

[Yarrayering]

Cant see why anyone would knock this deal....assuming it happens. A few guys like this along with a few guys Doyle and Anels age and we are set.

Also like the sound of Kedra coming. If we can get Clark and Kedra in I will be very happy.

Absolutely agree, Clark I think a shoe in at LCB.. Wud hope Anel in aswell but that be Bash out.. unless we selling Egan.. As for Kadra/Kedra we need more pace and attacking intent now mgw gone..

 

[Nah den]

I would guess he'll be starting Nah den to be honest because he's come from the PL as an experienced player, likely to be on decent money and we wouldn't bring in someone experienced and on decent money to just be part of the squad - at least that wouldn't be the intention in my view. I think he'll be first choice over Robinson and Robinson will have to win the shirt back. Bit like last season with Davies but he didn't do enough in the end to keep Robbo out, but at the beginning he started a fair bit.

Yep agreed. A good upgrade imo. JLT did better second half of the season and certainly gives it his all, but was an absolute bomb scare with the ball at his feet sometimes.

 

['Doc' Pace my hero]

this. He'll want a big last payday as well, I assume.

We might be a little surprised about Ciaron Clarks salary,he was signed by Rafa Benitez from Villa for their successful Championship campaign.I know he will have had uplifts since then,but it is quite possible,as a squad player that he is in the ‘lower end’ EPL range.I don’t see wages being an issue.

 

[robbiez666]

We might be a little surprised about Ciaron Clarks salary,he was signed by Rafa Benitez from Villa for their successful Championship campaign.I know he will have had uplifts since then,but it is quite possible,as a squad player that he is in the ‘lower end’ EPL range.I don’t see wages being an issue.

I suspect if we matched his salary he'd be one of our highest earners. Our salaries in the EPL were lowest end EPL and they've reduced by a significant amount since relegation.

 

[Groucho Blade]

If Clark started at LCB I’d be a little bit worried about our lack of pace at the back. I don’t think he’s going to solve that particular problem.

Anel probably has pace to burn, but he could well be charging about all over the place trying to cover for everyone else.

 

[JoeG]

If Clark started at LCB I’d be a little bit worried about our lack of pace at the back. I don’t think he’s going to solve that particular problem.

Anel probably has pace to burn, but he could well be charging about all over the place trying to cover for everyone else.

Can’t be any slower than Robinson

 

[McDonagh Blade]

Can’t be any slower than Robinson

Worrall, Cook, McKenna.
No pace between them. However they got promoted.
Defence wouldn't be an issue with the signing of Clark.. Unless the football God's turn against us.
Let's sign Ciaran and move on to an attacking midfielder and another goal scorer (Preferably Armstrong or a committed Dwight Gayle)

 

[Toronto Blade fan]

Worrall, Cook, McKenna.
No pace between them. However they got promoted.
Defence wouldn't be an issue with the signing of Clark.. Unless the football God's turn against us.
Let's sign Ciaran and move on to an attacking midfielder and another goal scorer (Preferably Armstrong or a committed Dwight Gayle)

Agreed. But can we please bring in a Jimmy upgrade as well?

 

[bongleblade]

Hate to be a downer when things are going so well in the transfer market, but why has our business this year been so greatand proactive, and last year was average-poor except for MGW?? It seems like we missed a huge opportunity

 

[Champagneblade]

Hate to be a downer when things are going so well in the transfer market, but why has our business this year been so greatand proactive, and last year was average-poor except for MGW?? It seems like we missed a huge opportunity

We missed a huge opportunity with the Board placating the fans and going for Slav.

If they'd just turned around and told us all to stop being such a miserable bunch and shouting 'cheap option', I'm sure Hecky would have been installed from Day One and we'd have probably pushed for top two (notwithstanding Bournemouth's outrageous refereeing contribution).

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

Hate to be a downer when things are going so well in the transfer market, but why has our business this year been so greatand proactive, and last year was average-poor except for MGW?? It seems like we missed a huge opportunity

they didn’t want to back Slav because they didn’t want him long term, he was a placeholder, as above I’m very much convinced he was appointed due to fan pressure more than anything else

The press conference from Hecky’s appointment pretty much confirmed they never really wanted Slav and their “vision” fit Hecky much better

I mean you know what, fair play, they did what the fans wanted and proved once again why fans are fans and not running football clubs

 

[Aston max]

Worrall, Cook, McKenna.
No pace between them. However they got promoted.
Defence wouldn't be an issue with the signing of Clark.. Unless the football God's turn against us.
Let's sign Ciaran and move on to an attacking midfielder and another goal scorer (Preferably Armstrong or a committed Dwight Gayle)

A CDM is on my wishlist ️ as well

 

[Berkshire Blade]

We might be a little surprised about Ciaron Clarks salary,he was signed by Rafa Benitez from Villa for their successful Championship campaign.I know he will have had uplifts since then,but it is quite possible,as a squad player that he is in the ‘lower end’ EPL range.I don’t see wages being an issue.

I suspect he was on more than any of our players by a significant amount. We were the lowest wage payers by a huge distance in the prem. And we have had pay cuts since.

 

[Harrisblade]

I suspect he was on more than any of our players by a significant amount. We were the lowest wage payers by a huge distance in the prem. And we have had pay cuts since.

Pre-arranged pay-cuts linked to lack of success on the field because of known reduction in income are relatively sensible measures aren't they?

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Pre-arranged pay-cuts linked to lack of success on the field because of known reduction in income are relatively sensible measures aren't they?

Absolutely. But that's another point completely. If we could afford his full wages I suspect both us and Newcastle would rather it was a free transfer than a loan. It's a loan because we are unwilling/unable to pay what he's on

 

[robbiez666]

A CDM is on my wishlist ️ as well

I genuinely think this has been the missing component for a long time. There's no cover for the defence from midfield unless Norwood is having a great game.

 

[HVR]

Absolutely. But that's another point completely. If we could afford his full wages I suspect both us and Newcastle would rather it was a free transfer than a loan. It's a loan because we are unwilling/unable to pay what he's on

He's been at Newcastle for about 6 years, and signed a 2.5yr extension to his contract (1 year left). He might not be needed now as they are mega-rich and will no doubt be buying different players.
Perhaps they like him as a player and he's served them well and they have no animosity towards him - he would have stayed with them if they hadn't been taken over.
They sat him down and said "we appreciate what you've done here, but you probably won't be playing for us this season, so we can pay you to sit on the bench, or we'll pay you to go to another club and see if you can get yourself a contract somewhere else."

 

[adamawdhali]

 

[Netsix_and_chill]

I genuinely think this has been the missing component for a long time. There's no cover for the defence from midfield unless Norwood is having a great game.

If Bash isn't starting at RCB we could do worse than his energy and ball winning in midfield. Is he the defensive midfielder we deserve?

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

If Bash isn't starting at RCB we could do worse than his energy and ball winning in midfield. Is he the defensive midfielder we deserve?

“we could do worse” isn’t particularly inspiring for a promotion chasing team

 

[robbiez666]

If Bash isn't starting at RCB we could do worse than his energy and ball winning in midfield. Is he the defensive midfielder we deserve?

In a word, no

 

[Mouth of the South]

If Bash isn't starting at RCB we could do worse than his energy and ball winning in midfield. Is he the defensive midfielder we deserve?

If you ever saw him play in midfield in L1 you'll know that it's not an option. His positional sense simply isn't good enough - he doesn't naturally know when to find space or when to close down and go with runners.

The only time I remember him playing there in the Champ was Leeds away when he was absolutely awful and CW admitted he almost/should have got hooked before he scored that goal.

He's found his position at RCB and best he's left there, even if it means he and AA are competing for a shirt.

 

[ReeceofBDTBL]

Look at how many goals against us have come from the LCB position since we lost JOC, it’s been ridiculous.

Even after Robinsons much needed and admirable improvement, he wasn’t the out and out first choice and half the time was displaced by a very weak, disappointing and in too many crucial moments, a defensively cowardly Ben Davies. Feels harsh because of what Ben has been going through off the pitch, but that was his footballing contribution last season.

If Clark performs for us in this role we could win the league, would also give us another year to search for and invest in JOCs proper long term replacement

This could be a huge signing