Have Vale got what it takes to reach the play-offs?

After Vale’s unbeaten start, and progression to the second round of the Capital One Cup, how far can the Valiants go this season?

OVF Opinion

Manager Rob Page, told BBC Radio Stoke last week the a top-half finish would be deemed a successful season – but is that not only a realistic target, but something the club can surpass?

Vale are unbeaten in the opening five matches of the season, which includes two wins and three draws. A win against Championship side Burnley in the league cup set up a tie with West Brom in the second round, with the all important first win of the League One season coming at the weekend – as the Valiants battered Doncaster 3-0 at Vale Park.

The three draws so far were against two decent sides in Gillingham and Swindon, added to an opening day stalemate with Crewe Alexandra.

Based on our start to the season, can Vale push for a play off place – and maybe more?

Betting site Bookies have a free bet offer from William Hill, which means you can claim a £20 free bet with you only needing to deposit £10. You can currently find Vale at 3/1 to finish in the top half, whilst finishing in the play offs is a generous 12/1 from the bookies – so using that free bet to back our chances of success this season could be a very smart move.

The re-emergence of Richard Duffy at the heart of the defence, and the good form from new keeper Jak Alnwick, has seen the club concede just three goals in over 450 minutes of football competitive football – which after last season’s disasters at the back, speaks volumes of the improvement to the side this term.

The options Page has in midfield should be another shout out to our League One opponents to take us as serious promotion hopefuls. Even without the injured Michael O’Connor, Anthony Grant and Sam Foley have gelled well in the middle, and when the inevitable happens and O’Connor returns – it will be like having a new signing.

Enoch Andoh returned to the squad at the weekend, and along with Byron Moore both have looked dangerous early on, as their pacy approach to each games continues to dazzle defenders.

The key to all successful teams in this division, and in any for that matter, is to have a reliable goal scorer in the squad – or two if you’re lucky.

The loss of Tom Pope to Bury in the summer saw guaranteed goals leave the club, and despite the promising starts to their Vale career from Uche Ikpeazu and AJ Leitch-Smith, it remains to be seen whether their goals can fire us into serious promotion contenders.

All of that put into context, Page’s ambitions of finishing the season as a top half team seem to be more than achievable – but should things progress as they have been as of recent, I see no reason why the club cannot find themselves in the play off hunt.