Are fans of Championship giants Aston Villa right to criticise Steve Bruce after left-back Mitchell Clark joined League Two Port Vale?
It seems that the decision to loan Mitchell Clark out to Port Vale hasn’t gone down well at all with some Aston Villa fans.
The Wales U19 international is one of a number of highly-rated youngsters to rise through the ranks at Bodymoor Heath of late. But rather than get his chance in the first-team and add to a tally of just one senior appearance, Clark will spend the 2018/19 season in League Two.
And a number of disgruntled Aston Villa fans are using the teenager’s departure to justify the continued criticism of manager Steve Bruce.
On paper, Bruce has provided a platform for the youngsters to shine at Villa. But for every fan who praises his use of Andre Green or Keinan Davis, there is another who will argue that Callum O’Hare needs game time or that Rushian Hepburn-Murphy would be a better option than the expensive yet goal-shy Scott Hogan.
In defence of the critics, Villa are a little short of options at left-back, a position the right-footed Clark has made his own at U23 level. Alan Hutton was forced to fill in at times last season, Neil Taylor divides opinion and no one needs reminding of the whole Joe Bryan saga.
On the other hand, however, maybe it makes more sense for Clark to make 30 or so first-team appearances at Port Vale rather than sit in reserve and wait for Taylor to get injured.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
