Ciaran Clark (now a free agent)

[joeyt]

We could have got Joe Bryan for £6mil

[Guest]

Or Tagliafico for a little bit more. There were at least two occasions where a simple pass to him ended up as a throw-in to them.

[Dokko]

It's criminal negligence we've started yet another season with one actual left back.

[Guest]

Who’s average at best. Would be like starting a season with someone like Dwight Gayle as the only striker on the books. Not even a Joselu equivalent as cover.

[thenige]

I know he's a CB so would be harsh to judge him on the performance last night, but has reached Simpson-esque levels of annoyance for me now. Just feel like every time he gets the ball at best he'll flick an aimless ball forward to no-one in particular. And positionally he just seems so weak. And that's when he's in his strongest position. 

 

Lejuene such a massive loss given Clark will now likely play 20+ games this season.

[Newcastle Fan]

It was so so important for us to get a proper left back at the start of the season and we didn't, so now we are paying a heavy price.

[huss9]

we need a new RB as well as a LB.

[Raconteur]

I had thought RB was a bigger priority because Dummet covered by Clark on the left. But Clark can't be considered a back-up LB at all, evidenced against Forest (not for the first time, but he was really bad). That tells me that maybe LB is a bigger priority - get a starter and bin Clark.

 

[khay]

Makes you appreciate how decent Mbemba was at LB after watching Clark

 

I know, makes you think Rafa probably wanted to spend the Mbema money on an actual left back or right back.

[Kanj]

Couldn't afford anyone ffs.

[54]

Won't get the plaudits like Schar and Fernandez but thought he had a very good and solid game today.

[Bimpy474]

Gorgeous eyed dream boat

[Dave]

Won't get the plaudits like Schar and Fernandez but thought he had a very good and solid game today.

 

Agreed, thought he'd struggle against Lennon but it never materialised. I've always liked Clark mind, think he's a good, steady player.

[Infinitely Content]

Lascelles 5th choice 

[xLiaaamx]

Think he should have done better for the goal but he's an alright player. Any other time in our recent history he's probably a starter, he just happens to be around at a strong time for Newcastle centre backs to the point he's 5th choice

[KaKa]

Happy that he could get a game, a goal and a win tonight.

 

Our 5th best centre back and he's great quality to have at number 5 at that spot.

[WarrenBartonCentrePartin]

Big fan of the rather shit arms out celebration he seems to love.

[Yorkie]

Lovely finish and a solid display at the back. He's been a proper decent signing, like.

[Pilko]

More goal threat as a CB than we've seen in many a year. With the right kind of ball-playing CBs around him he's solid and reliable. A bit like Williamson on one of his really good days, just way more consistent.

[Menace]

Rafa really can pick out defenders, I remember when we first signed him and I was really confused.

[Disco]

He was massively at fault for the goal but he looked a lot calmer than normal. Playing for 0-0s for Ireland has probably helped n all.

[triggs]

He was massively at fault for the goal but he looked a lot calmer than normal. Playing for 0-0s for Ireland has probably helped n all.

Hasn’t played for us lately, which no doubt helped his form

[Disco]

He was massively at fault for the goal but he looked a lot calmer than normal. Playing for 0-0s for Ireland has probably helped n all.

Hasn’t played for us lately, which no doubt helped his form

 

Just assumed, get him in there again.

[HaydnNUFC]

Yeah pretty solid tonight, throwback to some of his top performances in the Championship, topped off with a goal. Good stuff.

[ToonArmy1892]

Like him, hasn't sulked from not being in the team, gives his all and pops up with a few goals, can't fault him.