Newcastle had a few players who entered last season on the fringes. They were either just cover or surplus to requirements and not expected to play a big part.
Of those, the first to really establish himself was Ciaran Clark. The 30-year-old had only played in the Carabao Cup loss to Leicester when he was handed a shock start against Manchester United in October.
While that thrilling win will be remembered for Matty Longstaff’s goal, Clark put in a sterling display and went on to start the next 8 matches before an injury sidelined him for five matches in December.
Once fit again, the Republic of Ireland international was plugged straight back into Bruce’s starting eleven. He remained there until his season was ended with a severe ankle injury at Arsenal in February.
Clark is finally back fit and recently spoke to NUFC TV about his return:
“It feels good. I’ve had a couple of weeks in the gym doing strengthening work and trying to prepare myself as best as I can to join in with the lads in training and I’ve had a good rehab now. I feel pretty good and it’s just good to be back involved, training with the boys.
“I’d been out for about six months and it was nice, first of all, to get back training with the boys – every day now I’ve just been training with the boys outside – and it was great to be involved and play 45 minutes. It felt great.”
It was a very unfortunate injury for Clark who had been having his best season in a Newcastle shirt. Even though Newcastle had six center backs on the books, injuries at the position haunted the club through to the end of the year.
Bruce ended up having just one fit center-back in the final few matches in Federico Fernandez. Clark went on to speak about the timing of the injury and his hope to continue to get ready for this coming season.
“I just wanted to keep playing games and felt that we were on a good run of games and doing pretty well at the time, so it was just unfortunate, the timing of the injury.
“But it’s one of those things in football and I’ve just had a long recovery there. The plan was just to try and come back when the boys were back in training; luckily enough I’ve done that and hopefully, I can come through the next three weeks well.”
Here is a petition for Premier League transparency from MP Chi Onwurah that she will present when Parliament returns.
23 comments so far
Fenwicks Window
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Comment #1First..
Ron Knee
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:28 AM
Comment #2Mike Ashley is ready to pull the plug on Bellagraph Nova Group’s limp attempt to buy Newcastle United.
The Paris-based group – who claimed they had consulted Alan Shearer to guide them on a potential takeover – have not upped their initial offer of £280million with the proposal failing to get beyond Ashley’s legal team. (Chronicle)
Fenwicks Window
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:28 AM
Comment #3If we buy a top class centre forward in the close season. I’ll go and …..
Fenwicks Window
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:29 AM
Comment #4Ron Knee: I’ve think Bellagraph Nova have bigger problems. i.e. they’ve been rumbled as co men. If they are as rich as they make out, I’ll ….
Fenwicks Window
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Comment #5*con men*
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Comment #6he will be like a new signing
Fenwicks Window
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Comment #7Back later. Off for a casual stroll up Northumberland Street.
onmeedsun
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Comment #8Fenwicks
Great avatar, words are not required!
The Prince's Mate
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:32 AM
Comment #9Missed the bus
WLtoon previous.
“Since the news broke that the takeover had collapsed and the way the PL treated the club and fans with contempt, i hav`nt watched a single game. Couldn`t tell you any of the results, did`nt even know the CL final game was being played, found out the score 3 days later, thats what i think of football at the minute.”
Totally agree mate….. and doesn’t it feel like the summer sun shining in your smiley face? It does for me….
The Prince's Mate
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:36 AM
Comment #10A bit like allowing a teenager to have a house party and their mates (and gatecrashers) turn up en masse, have a great time at your expense, then next thing you know it is daylight and they have all disappeared without a care in the world, leaving you to survey the damage and clear up the mess that they don’t feel any responsibility for.
Those who gatecrashed the Newcastle United takeover party are now nowhere to be seen, nor do they feel any responsibility for the mess that has being left behind.
Well put Geordietom, like a cuckoo that shits in your nest then buggers off
Darnik
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Comment #11Anyone cancelling sky my advice would be get a 4k firestick and pay for iptv will cost between £35/£60 a year but you get all 3pm kick offs for prem and championship plus all the pay per View fights you only need 8mb speed to run it so WiFi not really an issue you can also hot spot it through phone data
Munster Mag
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:45 AM
Comment #12Fenwick, brilliant!
jane
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:51 AM
Comment #13“It feels good. I’ve had a couple of weeks in the gym doing strengthening work
what was i even thinking he could be in the ROI squad.
JohnJ
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #14I’ve supported/followed Newcastle United since 1956 Sadly I just missed the Fifties FA Cup wins.
I was fortunate enough to be taken to St James’ Park in the back of my friend’s Dads Morris 1000 estate car back in those days. Yes your Dad’s David G if you are reading this.
That event was the start of a love affair that has never dimmed since the early days of “peanuts tanner a bag” I’ve followed Newcastle United through thick & thin, a lot more thin than thick I hasten to add!!! Like most Newcastle fans I bleed Black n White!
Newcastle win always be my team ‘till the day I die. Was I disappointed by the statement on 28th July? Yes massively but we all need to keep a window of hope in our hearts.
As Kevin Keegan once said
“Don’t ever give up on your club, keep supporting it.”
“It’s your club and trust me, one day you will get your club back and it will be everything you wanted it to be.” “Newcastle United is bigger than anyone.”
“It hurts I know but just keep going.” “He is only one man. We are a city, a whole population.” “Trust me.”
One day we WILL be able to compete with the best. I just hope it’s soon as a lad in my seventies I’m very aware that my clock is ticking down!
Howay the Lads!
JohnJ
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Comment #15Darnik
Aug 29, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Comment #11
Can you use a firestick with your TV? Or does it just work through a computer?
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Comment #16Mark Douglas
@MsiDouglas
Claims in A Bola that #nufc have tabled a 15million Euro offer for Porto striker Moussa Marega.
Player out of contract in a year. They report Porto want closer to 20million Euro.
JohnJ
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Comment #17Gothmog’s
Typical Charnley type of approach!
cyprus
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:11 PM
Comment #18We know that when ASM plays, our statistical chances of winning drastically increase.
Any similar stats on Clark? Do we win more than lose when he plays?
Anyway, like I said before, this is the best Newcastle defensive line I’ve seen in my lifetime and he’s part of it. Long may it continue.
Now, for the little matter of creative MF and CF…
Ron Knee
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:12 PM
Comment #19Mark Douglas@MsiDouglas
11m
Debut for Jeff Hendrick.
Dondatta13
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:13 PM
Comment #20Asi Fish from late last night, if 147 keeps being a regular thing in your life, I’d take up snooker mate 😉
Dondatta13
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #21RIP Chadwick Boseman…
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has died at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with cancer, it was announced today
cyprus
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #22JohnJ
Brilliant post.
JohnJ
Aug 29, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #23Regarding my comment at 14 above.
It should have read…… the statement on 30th July