Despite turmoil Port Vale still hold promising odds for top seven League 2 success
It may be a real understatement to say Port Vale may not have started the League Two season in the best of form but the squad could still possess enough quality to rally back in the coming months and earn some success domestically.
The Valiants were sadly relegated from League One last term after a tough campaign in the higher division but that experience will only benefit them in the long run over the course of this term.
The Vale Park outfit were very busy during the recent summer transfer window, as they brought in plenty of new faces: Jack Stobbs, Cristian Montano, Rob Lainton, Graham Kelly, Antony Kay, Sam Hornby, Gavin Gunning, Joe Davis and Tyrone Barnett. As well as all of these recent acquisitions, Port Vale managed to secure some last-minute business on transfer deadline day, too.
They snapped up both Harry Middleton and Tom Anderson on the final day of the summer window before it slammed shut until January. One of the Coral bookmaker betting offers include a 100 per cent bonus for bets up to £20, which makes siding with the likes of Port Vale and other League Two teams all the more rewarding and easier for newcomers. A promising price for the club with the bookmakers only adds to the notion that Port Vale can still earn some success throughout this new 2017/18 term for fans.
Their price is worth backing, with the managerless side still seemingly having a solid enough squad capable of securing such a place inside those highest seven positions in the fourth tier in English football. They are a promising 7/1 with Coral to rally to a top seven finish come next May. The signings of Middleton and Anderson will be a well-welcomed boost to the Port Vale ranks for the long season ahead.
Both men arrived at Vale Park on transfer deadline day from Doncaster Rovers and Burnley, respectively. Promising midfielder Middleton will provide a great presence to the central ranks at the club, with the 22-year-old being very highly rated in his young career already. He made an impressive 80 outings for the Rovers during his four years as a first-team player with his former club, and he was also part of their squad that gained an admirable promotion out of League Two last season.
The young deadline day signing outlined his intentions of being a good omen for his new employers, having tasted the sweet success of gaining promotion last term with his former outfit. “I know exactly how good it feels to finally get promoted,” stated the new Port Vale starlet Middleton, “So obviously coming into a side that is as good as Port Vale and knowing exactly what the manager desires, you definitely set your standards as high as possible.
“I previously played in both League One and League Two, I’ve been up and down those leagues with Doncaster and I’ve had a promotion and a relegation, so I’ve experienced both the highs and lows with them.
“But it’s been a very good journey so far and I’m very much looking forward to a new chapter now.”
With a promising set-up now on board and a new manager to come Port Vale could yet go on to enjoy a strong season in League Two.