da prosport bet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da bwin： Ciaran Clark has returned to the Newcastle starting line-up in recent weeks but has admitted that he questioned his future over the summer.
What did he say?
The Republic of Ireland international has struggled for game in recent months and didn’t play in the league under Steve Bruce this season until the Manchester United clash.
A good performance in that match was just the start for the 6 foot 1 defender, who has since scored two goals in his following four league games as he looks to become a long-term starter for the Magpies.
It is a great turn around for the 30-year-old, who last summer held important talks with Bruce in regard to his future at the club, which he has now revealed the details of.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said:
“It [leaving] was something I thought about in the summer.
“He [Bruce] wanted a chance to look at everyone in the squad, I had a chat with him, explained my situation and how I wanted to be playing games.
“He said to see how the first part of the season went and we’d assess it in January. He was fair with me, it was down to me to keep working hard and training and doing all I could to get back into the team and I’ve done that.”
Clark’s admission shows how Bruce connects with his players and offers them reassurance even if he can’t make certain promises.
It is a great strength of the Newcastle boss and the improvement from players such as Clark and Isaac Hayden this term is a product of his effective man-management, which has served him well throughout his career.
Watch Queens Park Rangers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
Permanent starting place?
Newcastle are not short on numbers at the back and that is why Clark had to be patient for his chance, but now he has proved his quality he is likely to retain his place in the team.
An injury to Jamaal Lascelles only adds to that likelihood, although with Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune to return from the sidelines soon there will be serious competition for places.
As a result, there is a pressure on him and his teammates to maintain their consistency, and that could lead to improvement from all the centre-backs in the squad.
Bruce will likely be sharing similar words with the duo returning from injury, and if he can manage the situation carefully it should stand his team in good stead.