CONFIRMED Ciaran Clark

[FriethBlade]

Good, but would have preferred a permanent

We got the permanent a couple of days ago

 

[Blade58]

Good, but would have preferred a permanent

Clarks contract is up in 12 months. If we are signing him on a season loan then the door is open to offer him a permanent contract. It’s then up to Clark to take his chance and prove to management he deserves another contract

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Would like to think there will be an option of a permanent contract in there for him if he reaches a certain number of games with us.
We've done those sorts of deals before.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

With 5 subs coming stronger squads are vital.

 

[Bladesman]

We’ve just got rid of a tonne of high earners from the wage bill, why would we not be able to afford this?

Plus everyone in the squad has had their wages reduced again.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

It seems like stating the obvious based on his 2 year absence, but this potential signing and Ahmedhodzic coming in, says to me the club isn't hopeful Jack O'Connell will be available.

Even if O’Connell was going to be available for next season, we cannot rely on him being available all season. The man’s been injured for 2 years & we can’t expect him to come in and just pick up where he left off. Bringing Clark in is smart.

The fact that he’s still under contract & is training with the squad to me says that the club (and more importantly JOC himself) believe he will come back. We need to give him as much time as he needs but we also need to bring bodies in that are ready now too.

 

['Doc' Pace my hero]

At least having Anel and Clark alongside Egan might just prevent us gifting lesser teams who launch balls into our box in the last 10 minutes in an effort to get points they don’t deserve.We got sucker punched several times last season and lost valuable points late in games.

 

[brownblade]

Admittedly I watched very little prem football last season (too busy and tired - rare that I don't), but I'm under the impression Clark will be one of the best CBs in the Championship...
Am I wildly off?

Very surprised by this one, albeit makes sense as he's turning 33 soon.

Our centre back department is now STRONG. Can even sell Egan - maybe that's the plan if we've had a sizeable offer - though a bit risky.

 

[Stevo]

This would be a v astute signing IMO, as has our transfer business so far, one or two more up top and we are ready to rock and roll

 

[LewishamBlade]

I am astounded that anyone thinks this is anything but a good signing. Who do we think we are?

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

He won't be coming as backup

He would have just gone somewhere else for a season if we weren't gonna start him

 

[BLADES1988]

Very good signing this imo, might not be exciting or sexy, but as the yanks say, defence wins championships, the EFL Championship to be precise

Don't the yanks say..."deeefence! Yeah go team! TIMEOUT!!! Sponsored by Nabisco world, product not as shown, subject to taxes"

 

[CaptainMorgans]

He has to earn his spot. Jack Robinson (and I can't believe I'm saying this) finished the season excellently.
Used the ball well and was fiercely competitive, which is probably his best trait.
His long throw, though underused, did become a bit of a weapon.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Yes would also be very very harsh not to start the season with JLT

 

[Blacksea]

Many of us were moaning last season about missing out on CBs like this,and we ended up with Ben Davies,well let other teams miss out this season and end up with Ben Davies.

 

[bladesmanluke]

He's an upgrade on Ben Davies. That's what matters. JLT finished the season excellently and it's his spot to lose for me, but it's good to have better competition for the spot.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

He's an upgrade on Ben Davies. That's what matters. JLT finished the season excellently and it's his spot to lose for me, but it's good to have better competition for the spot.

I've no idea whether he is an upgrade on Ben Davies, but he was a huge disappointment last season.

I expected him to be able to carry the ball out of defence and be comfortable in the opponent's half.
In truth, he was competent in possession and could move the ball on but it was all only simple stuff. I never saw a marauding run or a line splitting pass and he rarely got involved in our overlapping game to any great effect.

In defence he was a bit of a liability. He cost us some crucial goals. He was weak in the challenge and poor in the air. He also had a short attention span and would often lose his man.

He seems a great lad, quiet, timid type. I hope that his personal circumstances change for the better and that this allows him to kick on in his career once more. By all accounts he had a decent reputation before the Liverpool move.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

He's an upgrade on Ben Davies. That's what matters. JLT finished the season excellently and it's his spot to lose for me, but it's good to have better competition for the spot.

Clark might even be available for more than 1 game in a row

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

Ben Davies is a good LCB imo, unfortunately he suffered from a few things such as consistent game time due to injuries, illness and personal reasons, losing his previous championship form with the dodgy Liverpool move, and the fact our LWB position has never been weaker

he was fantastic at Preston, I was hoping we’d sign him the summer after our first PL season considering JOC’s injury late in the season before

he will probably come good again elsewhere if he can stay fit for an extended period of games

I do think Clark, due to his experience, is an upgrade on him at this moment in time

 

[Champagneblade]

I'm impressed with this deal. It makes sense in so many ways.

It isn't some young pup who we are blooding to do well for someone else. It is a seasoned professional with international experience who was playing regularly in the Premier League before a change of management and heavy influx of cash.

He has played 12 out of 13 years of his career in the Premier League. The only year he dropped down to the Championship, he and Newcastle won the League with 94 points. We're not getting some 6th choice to make up the numbers; he comes in with a better top flight pedigree then anyone at the club.

He's coming to play and he'll be intent on earning a further year. He isn't coming just to spin the wheels and then head back to his cozy parent club. This is a move that will really matter to him. He's playing for his future.

As a loan, rather than taking over his contract, Newcastle will be providing a nice subsidy to his wages too which will not overburden the club.

Along with Ahmedhodžić, we now have 2 players who can also step in for Egan as well as playing on their respective side of the defence.

To end the window with Basham in contract for 2 more years, Ahmedhodžić on a 4 year deal, Egan, Robinson and now Clark as our central defensive options is excellent work by the club.

With 2 similarly well-skilled keepers and current wide options of Bogle, Baldock, Osborn, Lowe, Norrington-Davies and Stevens, we look extremely capable in our own third.

Well done to those involved.

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

Wes
Bogle Anel Egan Clark Lowe

would be a very, very good back 5/6

with every position finally under pressure with genuine competition, should raise everyone’s game

 

[robbiez666]

Anel and Clark will be starting games if fully fit. JLT and Bash will likely come in so they don't have to play 3 games per week.

 

[sufc323]

Wes
Bogle Anel Egan Clark Lowe

would be a very, very good back 5/6

with every position finally under pressure with genuine competition, should raise everyone’s game

The good thing with this is back up we have:

Davies
Baldock Bash Gordon JLT Stevens/RND

Some strength in depth that

 

[Whitby-Blade]

Just looking up Newcastle fans opinions (sorry Roy) and they were absolutely over the moon when he was left out of their 25 man squad in January. All round very negative opinion on him from their fans although I’m not sure if that’s partly due to their new found wealth and if an element of entitlement has set in.

 

[Danetheblade]

Asked my Georgie best mate what he's like. Sounds really promising!

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

Just looking up Newcastle fans opinions (sorry Roy) and they were absolutely over the moon when he was left out of their 25 man squad in January. All round very negative opinion on him from their fans although I’m not sure if that’s partly due to their new found wealth and if an element of entitlement has set in.

I don’t know which Newcastle fans you’re looking at, but every one I’ve seen today has been incredibly respectful of Clark, obviously acknowledge that the guy isn’t good enough to start in the PL anymore, at least for them (some of those promoted teams wouldn’t have much right to turn their noses up looking at their CBs mind), but he did a great job in keeping them from relegation numerous times + a key part played in Championship promotion

Yeah, most are happy to see him go because his time there is over, but overall very positive comments on him, he’ll be a great addition in the champ

 

[Groucho Blade]

Is he the new Martin Cranie? Or the new Stears?

 

[brownblade]

Anel and Clark will be starting games if fully fit. JLT and Bash will likely come in so they don't have to play 3 games per week.

Bash as an impact sub from RCB

 

[Chief14]

Wonder if this guy is any relation to a Kieran Clarke that my mate keeps telling me that we are signing??

 

[Yogi]

Is he the new Martin Cranie? Or the new Stears?

Depends what his alcohol tolerance is and how good a signing voice he has