Some Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after The Athletic’s Chris Waugh claimed Ciaran Clark has the best record among the Toon’s senior centre-halves.
Clark was a late causality of last weekend’s drubbing at the Emirates Stadium, having been forced off through injury in the 83rd-minute of our 4-0 defeat away to Arsenal.
Two of the four goals conceded in North London came after Clark was helped off the field, and Waugh notes that the Republic of Ireland international’s absence became vivid in how disorganised the backline became without him.
No player was on hand to track Mesut Ozil before the German would fire home the Gunners’ third, and Alexandre Lacazette was gifted the freedom of the penalty area in stoppage-time to score his first goal in nine Premier League appearances.
Waugh does not suggest Clark is the best centre-half in the top-flight, but notes how his no-nonsense consistency in Steve Bruce’s backline makes him so dependable.
“The statistics support that analysis,” Waugh writes. “Clark has made 14 Premier League appearances this season and he has missed 12 games. When Clark plays, Newcastle win more (six victories to two), score more (1.2 goals per game to 0.6), concede less (1.2 goals per game to 1.9) and have a far superior points-per-game return (1.6 to 0.7).
Has Clark been our best centre-back this season?
Yes
No
“None of the other five centre-backs who have played this season – Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar, Paul Dummett nor Florian Lejeune – boast such impressive records.
“So impressive has Clark’s form been since he was elevated into the side in October that it has almost been forgotten that he was close to an exit last summer.”
Whether Bruce can rely on Clark again this weekend when we return to London for a clash with Crystal Palace is up for debate, as the 30-year-old required crutches to leave the Emirates Stadium and initial fears are said to suggest he faces a ‘significant portion of Newcastle’s run-in’ on the sidelines.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Waugh’s praise for Clark, and the suggestion he faces a lengthy absence through injury…
I agree defensively excellent but I think given next run of games it’s an opportunity to get a better balance in the team. We have to try to get s foothold in the game and that starts at the back fit me. Being able to control the possession act oss the back 3.
— Jonathan esland (@jonathanesland) February 19, 2020
Like him but Schar HAS to play
— David Tasker (@DavidTazGolf9) February 19, 2020
Personally think Schar and Lejeune are better than Clark and Fernandez
— Nixon (@nixon80) February 19, 2020
I know he tries hard but it won’t be a big loss when we have Lejeune and Schar to come in. It may be a blessing in disguise to get better passers of the ball into the side
— Marc Gillham (@marcgill92) February 19, 2020
He’s venison esq with his vocals on the pitch also will be a big miss
— geordie dug (@geordiedug2) February 19, 2020
Shame for Ciaran hope he has a quick recovery, however it does give the opportunity to both lejeune and Schar who are arguably our 2 best defenders alongside Fede
— Chris Cossey (@Cosseycj) February 19, 2020
At least Bruce will he forced to play a footballing centre half.
You know the ones Rafa signed for Newcastle(Schar&Lejeune) that Bruce refuses to use because he’s an absolute dinosaur🦖
— Rafa Facts (@FactsRafa) February 19, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are scouting a prolific 24-year-old subject to a potential €6m summer move.