Lloydc,
Criticizing Clapton's technique is not absurd, but I do think it's generally misguided. His taste and restraint (I agree on both counts) are impressive, his masterly tone - IMHO - even more so. However, he has always had severely limited fretting technique (although he bends beautifully, often counterintuitevely, and with superb precision). He can do many things with a guitar, but there are also some holes in his game. Back in his rocker's heyday and today. He just works around it to produce memorable music.
Marty