Port Vale owner says club will sign two International players
In a wide ranging interview with BBC Radio Stoke, Norman Smurthwaite has promised new additions, including two Internationals and expects the side to challenge for the top six.
Speaking to the Radio station Smurthwaite said: “There are going to be two, I think, more coming through the door who are international players, in the next few days.
I anticipate three different clubs coming in with loan players of a Premiership calibre…
“I anticipate three different clubs coming in with loan players of a Premiership calibre, they are all Premiership level clubs – or two Premiership UK clubs and then there is Monaco.
“I am not sure if we need them now. That said, clearly if they do come along with the calibre of players that I understand are being put to us…. one club, it’s unbelievable that there’s even dialogue taking place.”
Smurthwaite also said he expected the club to challenge for the play-offs commenting: “I have nearly doubled the budget I gave to Rob but that was an unrealistic budget. I have a Plan B at Christmas if in fact things aren’t going the way….. if we are not in the top six between now and Christmas – that’s what I mean.
I will never allow the experience of another Exeter in my ownership of the football club…
“I would not have put in yet another relatively large amount of money just to sit and be mid-table mediocre. I will never allow the experience of another Exeter in my ownership of the football club. I will never allow a manager to tell me that’s football and I should accept it. That ain’t going to happen at Port Vale, because if it does, Plan B will be around the corner.”
Smurthwaite also added that contract offer to Enoch Andoh was still valid and that coach Peter Farrell will not be joining the club due to “geographical” issues.