Ciaran Clark was unlucky last season when an injury caused him to lose his place to new signing Florian Lejeune.
Florian himself was injured in the first 45 minutes of the season, and he was out a few months with a foot injury.
Clark played 22 games last season with 2 goals and an assist and Lejeune played 24 games with two assists, so they split the duties last season.
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles played 35 times with 3 goals and held down the other center-back position.
Chancel Mbemba is very close to joining Porto and Rafa will bring in another center-back this summer to replace him.
Ciaran Clark – in action at West Brom last year
But Clark is a valuable player for us who has been outstanding in the two seasons he’s been at Newcastle – he was excellent in our promotion season.
And it’s players like this who we have to keep at the club if we are to build a top squad under Rafa Benitez.
This is what the 28-year-old Republic of Ireland International (29 caps, 2 goals) had to say on the Newcastle website:
“We knew it was going to be tough coming into the season. We obviously believed in our ability, but to finish in the top ten at the end of it was unbelievable.”
“It’s been a massive effort throughout the whole club – not just the players on the pitch but the staff, all around the ground and all around the training ground, and everyone involved with Newcastle.”
“The fans have traveled home, and away and it’s been a massive help to everyone. The support was unbelievable and it was a massive club effort.”
“We always believed in our ability; sometimes we went through rough stages and tough spells but we always believed we’d come out of it and turn it around.”
“That was by keeping doing what we were doing and what we were practicing on the training pitch.”
“Everyone put a massive effort in. It was a long season but it’s where we wanted to be – to be in the Premier League, playing against the best teams and best players in the world.”
“It was up and down but our aim was just to get as many points on the board as possible and compete against the teams that were around us.”
“We managed to do that and we finished up in tenth place, which was unbelievable for us.”
“The aim now is we want to improve on what we’ve done.”
“Hopefully we can do that next season, but everyone right now is enjoying their break and looking forward to coming back and cracking on again.”
Good comments there from Clark.
Jamaal Lascelles has formed two good partnerships with both Clark and Lejeune, and it’s a strength that Newcastle now have in central defense.
The defense has also been strengthened by the arrival of top goalkeeper Martin Dubravka this summer.
Ciaran Clark has shown his character, class, and professionalism by not grumbling or complaining when he lost his position in the side – and we have to keep him at the club.
It’s players with the attitude of Ciaran that can help make Newcastle great again under the leadership and guidance of manager Rafa Benitez.
Comments welcome.
26 comments so far
ronaldo aarons
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:21 AM
Comment #1Are these the new kits?
https://mobile.twitter.com/kmolsen26/status/1006452103861231618
RobLeenio
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Comment #2Grafton83, interesting post – how are you in a position where you’ve spoken to the Chelsea staff? And were they playing, coaching or administration personnel?
I’m interested to know more, not interrogating you.
ronaldo aarons
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:29 AM
Comment #3We were linked with the big dm from trabzonspor in January. He’s joined celta Vigo for 6m euros. Nothing for a player we were supposedly interested in. We needed another dm too, missed opportunity me thinks.
Pottsclock
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:31 AM
Comment #4We should buy Kenedy if he is available. 1. We know he’s up to it and fits the team 2. Why waste money on a loan fee of say, £4m, for a year and then buy him anyway?
We’re not going to learn anything from an extra year of loan.
On the money side, a striker and Kenedy type player would be the top two priorities and the budget should allow for that, particularly with the sales that will happen.
ronaldo aarons
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Comment #5Yacine adli, heavily linked to Arsenal signs a new contract ta psg. May be worth a cheeky loan offer, kid has some talent and skill.
ronaldo aarons
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:34 AM
Comment #6A loan wouldn’t be useful because it allows us to focus spending (whatever that it is lol) on strikers and a number 10.
ronaldo aarons
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:34 AM
Comment #7Would
ronaldo aarons
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:35 AM
Comment #8Last post directed towards the kenedy discussion.
JP...from The Rock
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:42 AM
Comment #9On Rondon I would be quite pleased with him being signed. He’s much better than Joselu for example, and slightly better than Gayle too. Is a real handful as he always works his socks off, is strong, experienced EPL player and I have always been pretty impressed with him when I’ve seen him play. Tbf he’s been playing in a poor West Brom side so it would be interesting to see what he could achieve in a strong Newcastle one with Shelvey and possibly Kenedy feeding him balls to knock in the goals. In Rafa we trust ey and tbh I wouldn’t be disappointed at all. Maybe if we could ship Joselu and Mitrovic we could buy a more exciting foreign Striker as competition too. But this is an opportunity that we would be wise to make the most of.
Grafton83
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:43 AM
Comment #10I live where they train in Cobham, Every few weeks I speak to some of the coaching staff when our children attend various events in the local area. They all know I’m a big newcastle supporter but they’ll rarely give away much regarding transfers. More just chat about Rafa and football in general.
RobLeenio
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:46 AM
Comment #11I’m getting suspicious of just how quiet it is at the club. It’s becoming eerie. No news is good news, but I wonder if there’s something big brewing. Rafa hasn’t been seen or heard in days, likewise Charnley. All we’ve seen is press speculation and PR pieces from the players. I feel a pressure building, sooner or later it’s going to break and there will either be a flood of postivity or a flood of negativity. Time will tell which it is.
ronaldo aarons
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:58 AM
Comment #12Two young lads from Man City are likely to leave this summer, left back jose Angelino and forward Thierry ambrose. Think both would be good targets, had good seasons each at nac Breda.
RobLeenio
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Comment #13Grafton – interesting insight, thank you.
Veltman
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Comment #14Aye martoon, seeing you are on the ball of late,
I’m guessing you gonna be busy in the coming days or weeks dealing with the possible shenanigans or attacks.Don’t you worry tho,
I’ll be around and flying to save you if needed..XD
cyprus
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Comment #15Break our transfer record for Kenedy, Ed? He’d be very good to have, but he hasn’t exactly burnt a trail. 20 million sounds a bit steep.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:20 AM
Comment #16I got Spain in the office sweepstake. 5 quid liberated oh so easily from my grasp, never to be seen again.
RobLeenio
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:29 AM
Comment #17From the BBC:
Spain sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui after he was named the new Real Madrid boss – two days before their opening World Cup match against Portugal.
SuperShearer, guess I wasn’t the only one concerned about the effect on Spain’s chances.
OneAlanShearer
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Comment #18Rob – I was thinking the same but it’s probably more likely they’ve all gone on holiday and not told the press/ media.
nut meg
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:40 AM
Comment #19Has any of you who watch Italian football seen much of Giovanne Simeone of Florentino ?He looks very impressive on video but any opinions from those who’ve seen him in live games would be welcome. Lively..quick..none stop all action type ….mobile .. scores with both feet …very good with his head…Rafa type of player i think..hope the scouts have been watching.
RobLeenio
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:50 AM
Comment #20OAS, yep you’re probably right, but as I said – eerie….
I think this lack of communication with the fans is almost the worst aspect of Ashley’s tenure. I know they don’t need to communicate from a legal standpoint, and certain aspects of the club’s business should not be in the public domain, but still
martoon
Jun 13, 2018 at 12:19 PM
Comment #21Cheers Veltman – I can now sleep at nights 😀 I thought it unsettling for the Spanish squad when the manager said he was leaving but goodness knows what this does
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44467548
Keith in France
Jun 13, 2018 at 12:21 PM
Comment #22I am sure I am not the only one that thinks perhaps Rafa has not signed a new contract because he heard on the ‘managers grapevine’ about the Spain job becoming available – especially with all his contacts.
I think he would take it – who wouldn’t want to manage their country’s national team? especially a team like Spain.
Just think, he wouldn’t have to put up with MA holding the purse strings.
Hope he doesn’t go, but I certainly wouldn’t blame him if he did.
martoon
Jun 13, 2018 at 12:21 PM
Comment #23OneAlanShearer @18 – If they’re going to take a holiday then this would seem the most logical time – not much business can be done with the start of the World Cup.
RobLeenio
Jun 13, 2018 at 12:35 PM
Comment #24Another piece of breaking news from the BBC:
World Cup 2026: Canada, US & Mexico joint bid wins right to host tournament
That’s like us hosting jointly with Iceland and Morrocco, surely.
What a nightmare for travelling for fans, players and coaches.
Jib
Jun 13, 2018 at 12:36 PM
Comment #25Spain have sacked manager 1 day before WC KO
Luis Enrique appointed replacement
Ha ha ha
There’s f@cking hell on over here
Ha ha ha
😀
ilovetoon8788
Jun 13, 2018 at 12:36 PM
Comment #26Spain sack their manager 1 day before world cup.. Lol.