"He’s looking shocking at the moment" - Toon legend slams Newcastle defender

Malcolm MacDonald has blasted Ciaran Clark’s current form at Newcastle as “shocking” amid calls for the defender to be dropped.

The Republic of Ireland international has started eight of our 10 games, being a part of a defence that has already conceded a whopping 23 goals this season.

Before Norwich’s drubbing to Chelsea last weekend, we had conceded the most in the top flight (19). It's not got much better since then, however, with us fortunate to only concede one at Palace and shipping another three in Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Some supporters feel the more technically gifted Fabian Schar should be reintroduced to the fold, with Clark’s displays being called into action in recent weeks.

Former Toon number nine MacDonald agrees, and thinks we are not seeing the best of a player who has been “a great pro” for our club.

This is what he said while speaking on the NUFC Matters podcast:

“I think Ciaran Clark has been a great pro, not just for Newcastle, but over his career, great pro, at international level as well.

“He’s looking shocking at the moment, he’s looking unbalanced, he’s looking as if he can just be pushed around like a lightweight and he’s not showing the things that have made him an accomplished player.

“He’s not getting the ball, he’s not passing it. And I think ‘what is going on when a good, honest pro like Ciaran Clark is looking like a right duffer?’.”

Clark was bullied by Benteke at Palace and didn't cover himself in glory once again over the weekend, looking shaky on the ball, slow to react and just generally unconvincing.

Fernandez and Schar must be wondering what they