Lines links show why Adams saga must end
Rob Fielding says that rumours about a Vale player leaving shows why it is imperative for the Micky Adams contract debacle to come to an end.
Rob Fielding writes…
In the first widespread rumour to hit the newstands, Chris Lines has been linked to a handful of Vale’s League One rivals. In normal circumstances, this could largely be dismissed as summer transfer talk. But these are not ordinary times at Vale.
Not only are fourteen players out of contract, but those players’ decisions seem to be dependent on whether manager Micky Adams opts to stay or go. It’s a saga that drags on and on.
It’s been eight months since I published a feature urging the club to sort out Adams contract by the end of 2013…
It’s been eight months since I published a feature urging the club to sort out Adams contract by the end of 2013 and four months since (in light of no action being taken) I implored the club that Micky Adams’ contract should be their top priority.
It’s clear that an awful lot hinges on Adams – not only the name on the manager’s door, but the future of key players and also the number of season tickets sold. He would undoubtedly be a huge loss should he leave but in many ways the uncertainty of this long wait for a decision is just as damaging.
I was somewhat surprised that when offered a contract, Adams appeared to think he was in a position to issue a deadline as to when he would make a decision. I am equally perplexed that after Adams said he’d make a decision by May 12th the club seem happy to let that deadline drag.
The uncertainty is undoubtedly causing anxiety among the fans and I personally think the club need to be a little less tolerant of Adams’ vacillating…
The uncertainty is undoubtedly causing anxiety among the fans and I personally think the club need to be a little less tolerant of Adams’ vacillating.
This is a professional football club and Adams is (or was) a professional, paid handsomely for his skills. I think the club need to set a clear and binding deadline and go public with it so that fans know.
If the deadline is not abided to then, loathe as I am to let Adams go, I think the club will need to stick to its guns and look for a new manager.
After all, good as he’s been for Vale Adams is “just a custodian of the club”.
Those are not my words, they’re Micky Adams’ and they could come back to haunt him if he doesn’t make a decision soon.