Port Vale Opinion – is it time to give key player David Amoo a longer deal?
Rob Fielding argues that Vale need to ensure that long-term planning continues with players’ contracts.
Rob Fielding writes…
One thing noticeable under new owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan is the ability to think long-term. Rather than the “end of the season” deal handed to manager John Askey by former owner Norman Smurthwaite, the Shanahans showed faith and gave Askey the security of a three-year deal. In one fell swoop it gave the club long-term continuity, it undoubtedly showed Askey that the owners had confidence in him and it reassured Askey’s signings that the manager was there (in a football sense) long-term.
The idea of a long-term plan was repeated with a two-year, rather than the usual one-year, deal handed to youngster Ryan Campbell-Gordon. It was the same thinking with deals for Manny Oyeleke (two years), Adam Crookes (two years) and Richie Bennett (two years). A pattern had been set for key players to commit (relatively) long-term to the club.
There were exceptions – Mark Cullen was handed a one-year deal, probably because of his injury record and fitness was probably the reason why Rhys Browne only earned a one-year deal too.
And this brings us on to the key question…
David Amoo has had injuries too – and that may be a factor in the former Cambridge man only being offered a one-year deal initially.
However, after a cracking start to his Valiants career, is it time for the club to re-consider?
Amoo has played in all eight games played so far – netting three times into the bargain so his injury problems look to be behind him. His current form may attract clubs with deeper pockets (remember Alex Jones to Bradford or Tom Anderson to Doncaster).
Is it time to tie Amoo down to a longer deal as a part of the club’s new forward thinking?