Vale need their top eleven for the FA Cup
Rob Fielding thinks that Port Vale should name a full-strength side for Sunday’s game.
Rob Fielding writes…
I doubt very much that there will be much, if any, squad “rotation” when Vale take on Maidenhead United at the weekend.
This week has seen the publication of the club’s annual accounts with a stark warning from owner Norman Smurthwaite that there will be a reduction in the playing budget to match the current attendances.
Any additional source of finance is therefore of vital importance and that makes progress in the cup even more important…
Any additional source of finance is therefore of vital importance and that makes progress in the cup even more important this season.
The “rotation” of squads may be in vogue among Premier League sides but their revenue is increasingly dominated by TV monies – that and the sheer depth of their squads makes rotation far less of a gamble than it does for a club of Vale’s size.
It’s also worth bearing in mind the potential disrespect to opponents Maidenhead United are due. It’s no mean feat to reach the first round proper and they deserve to be treated with respect – and a chance to match themselves against Vale’s first eleven.
So, for me, this is not the time to try out some fringe players. Arguably the competition that would most suit a run-out for fringe players was the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy but that has now been and gone.
I would imagine that the most the likes of JJ Hooper can hope for is a run out from the bench on Sunday. If he wants or needs more regular football then a loan move, not an FA Cup campaign, would be where he can get it.