Newcastle are in a lot of trouble. Having won only one game all season, they will need to turn things around in a major way if they are to avoid relegation.
They haven't helped themselves in recent weeks. Defensive mistakes have been the norm, often to a comical nature.
Yesterday provided another example, with Ciaran Clark inexplicably letting the ball drop in the box and letting Ruben Dias open the scoring for Manchester City inside the first five minutes.
FIVE MINUTES IN ⚡
Ruben Dias puts #MCFC in front!
Horrendous defending from #NUFC 😦
📺 Watch #NEWMCI live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/QlMSl1auAT— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 19, 2021
The Ireland defender didn't cover himself in glory for the second goal either.
While it was a wonderful strike from Joao Cancelo, both Clark and Jamal Lascelles dealt with the situation poorly when they failed to close him down on the edge of the box.
WHAT A GOAL!! 🤩
João Cancelo doubles #MCFC's lead with a sensational strike ☄️
📺 Watch #NEWMCI live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/JtqRGhBVbg— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 19, 2021
It was certainly a poor afternoon for Clark, with Jamie Carragher massively unimpressed with his display. The same can be said for Alan Shearer.
Speaking on Match of the Day, the former Newcastle striker was hugely critical of Clark and Newcastle's defending in general.
The way Newcastle defended, if it wasn't my team I would say it was laughable, but it was anything but that.
You can imagine what they're saying in the dressing room beforehand: keep it tight for 20 minutes, we're up against a great team today so no mistakes.
This was after four minutes. That was the first mistake, so you're already putting yourself under huge pressure.
Then [the Clark mistake] happens. You wouldn't see it in an under-10 game, this wouldn't happen.
Clark for whatever reason decides to leave it. Just take control, get rid of the ball and do whatever you have to do. Just don't do this.
You cannot leave that ball, it's simple. You cannot leave that ball. You see Dubravka there saying 'why did you stop, I didn't say stop'. Just get rid of the ball.
You're already giving a world class team an advantage and you're chasing the game.
Again (for the second goal), I don't care what position you're in that is not good enough. It's a pathetic tackle from Willock. Hayden slips and he should do better, but looks at the two centre halves.
Die for the club, put yourself in front of the ball, go and close someone down and stop them having a shot at goal. It's a wonderful strike, absolutely, but you have to do better in those situations...
Keep your eye on Clark again (for the third goal), he knows exactly where Mahrez is. He sees him, has a look. Ritchie should be closer to him, [Clark] has another look and sees where he is. Look where he ends up, free in the box seven or eight yards out. For a player of that ability is simple.
When you look at these mistakes, and they are such basic mistakes it's unbelievable.
Newcastle will certainly need to shore up their defence if they are to have any chance of retaining their place in the Premier League, with January reinforcements in that area likely to be a priority.
As for Clark, for such as this is unlikely to see him force his way back into Stephen Kenny's plans anytime soon.
SEE ALSO: Redknapp And Carragher Were Staggered By VAR Madness On Sunday
