Former Newcastle United player Malcolm MacDonald has given his view on defender Ciaran Clark after his start to the season.
The 32-year-old defender has been a near ever-present in the Newcastle United side this season having only missed two games in the league and starting the other seven, with 16 of the 20 goals that they have conceded all season in the Premier League coming whilst he has been in the team.
And speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters (12:22), MacDonald tore into the Irish defender for his efforts so far this season, claiming that whilst he has been a good defender in the past, he just doesn’t seem to have the same ability that he once did, saying that he’s been far too easy to play against:
“I think Ciaran Clark has been a great pro, not just for Newcastle, but over his career, great pro, at international level as well. He’s looking shocking at the moment, he’s looking unbalanced, he’s looking as if he can just be pushed around like a lightweight and he’s not showing the things that have made him an accomplished player.
“He’s not getting the ball, he’s not passing it. And I think ‘what is going on when a good, honest pro like Ciaran Clark is looking like a right duffer?’.”
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MacDonald’s claims appear to be backed up by the numbers. If you take a look at his stats for the Premier League this season compared to his career average overall, he is averaging fewer tackles per game at 1.3 compared to 1.5, fewer interceptions per game at 1.1 compared to 1.6, and less clearances at 4.3 compared to 7.
And whilst he is winning more aerial duels per game at 2.7 compared to 2.6, that slight increase doesn’t really make up for the bigger downfalls in other areas (all via WhoScored).
At 32, this could just be down to him starting to get on a bit in his career as he starts to wind down physically and is perhaps an indicator that he should be one of the first men to go if new signings arrive in January. And with the club rumoured to be making a move for Burnley defender James Tarkowski, perhaps Clark’s successor in the team has already been decided.
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