OPINION
Defeat is becoming a familiar feeling on Tyneside, and Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Leicester City was made even more painful because of the hope felt by Newcastle supporters entering the game.
The team’s previous defeats could be excused due to the high quality of the opposition, but a home game against Leicester – aurely that’s an opportunity for three points, right?
The answer turned out to be an emphatic no, and the performance of centre back Ciaran Clark did the Magpies no favours as they were mauled by Claude Puel’s Foxes.
The Republic of Ireland international is a decent player and has been a fine servant to Newcastle, but he simply isn’t good enough for a club of this size.
The 29-year-old, on a reported £35,000-per-week at St James’ Park [Source: Spotrac], is past the point where he’s going to improve and, as a result, he should be sold in January.
Newcastle should be striving for better than just OK players, and in summer signing Federico Fernandez they have a man who has produced more assured performances in a couple of months than Clark has managed in the last few seasons.
The Argentine was missing with a hamstring injury on Saturday, but he has shown in a short space of time that he is the man to partner Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the Magpies defence moving forward.
Florian Lejeune, who kept Clark out of the team for much of last season, is expected to be back to full fitness soon, further increasing the sense that Clark is surplus to requirements.
Another summer recruit, Fabian Schar, also deserves the chance to show he can cut it on Tyneside. Clark has had his opportunity, Schar, an established Switzerland international, has yet to be given his.
There will be Championship teams and possibly some of the Premier League’s lesser lights who would take the Irishman off Newcastle’s hands, and the club should take whatever they can get for him.
He was beaten far too easily for Harry Maguire’s goal on Saturday and, in general, he has flattered to deceive throughout his time at the club.
In truth he is simply a pretty average player and a club the size of Newcastle deserves better than average. The former Aston Villa man’s time at Saint James’ Park is up, and he should be moved on come January.
