Assessing Port Vale’s 2020-21 promotion chances
While nothing is ever guaranteed in football, Port Vale’s recent form has given the Valiants’ supporters reason for optimism over the coming years. With John Askey at the helm, the club’s fortunes have transformed, leaving supporters dreaming of promotion at the end of the 2020-21 season. So, here we access Port Vale’s 2020-21 promotion chances
Another Season in League Two, but the Goal Remains the Same
Following the conclusion of the League Two season, Vale finished outside of the division’s top seven, meaning that they missed out on a play-off spot. While Northampton Town would eventually go on to lift the play-off trophy and secure their place in English football’s third tier for the 2020-21 campaign, Vale are left planning for another season in the final division of the English Football League.
Although supporters of the Valiants would have been dreaming of a promotion, another season in League Two isn’t disastrous. After a below-par performance in the 2018-19 season, which saw them finish 20th in the table, those at Vale Park will now be full of optimism under the management of Askey. Despite taking over in February 2019 and enduring a troublesome start to life in Burslem, the 55-year-old has shown that time was needed to alter the fortunes of Port Vale.
Upon being given time to work on the training ground, the former Macclesfield Town attacker has, rather crucially, made Vale competitive and tough to beat. This is showcased in their results during the 2019-20 season. Over the course of their 37-game campaign, the Valiants lost just eight matches, the joint-second fewest in League Two. Moreover, in their final domestic fixtures, Vale were on a seven-match unbeaten run, showcasing their consistency and winning mentality.
The Need to Strengthen
Fundamentally, for the club who boast the record for the most seasons in the Football League, achieving their long-term goal of gaining promotions through England’s lower divisions is one that requires a long-term strategy. Crucially, as is the case with all clubs, player recruitment is pivotal to sustaining on-field progression. Under the guidance of Askey, the club haven’t shied away from adding to their squad.
In the 2019-20 summer transfer window, which was the 55-year-old’s first opportunity to bring in new players, Vale brought in 15 new recruits, two of which were on loan. Of those, some of them played a pivotal role in transforming the club’s fortunes, including David Amoo, who scored four goals and provided a further two assists in 32 appearances. Although the 29-year-old hasn’t been one of the league’s standout players, his contributions to Vale have been integral to their resurgence. Furthermore, he’s also an indication of how well Askey has been able to recruit under the ownership of Carol and Kevin Shanahan.
Crucially, the Stoke-born manager may be forced to dip into the market once again this summer with reports suggesting that Vale are set to lose their star defender, Nathan Smith. At the time of writing, the 24-year-old centre-back has yet to commit his future to the Valiants despite an offer being tabled by the club. It’s thought the side’s local rivals, Stoke City, who were among the favourites to be relegated from the Championship in the football betting prior to the uncertainty around Wigan’s situation, are interested in bringing the defender to the bet365 Stadium.
Undeniable Reasons for Optimism
Ultimately, the job that Askey has done at Vale Park can’t be understated. The 55-year-old has taken the club back to competing for promotion, as opposed to fighting to maintain their Football League status. Although players are likely to depart over the coming months, there is no reason for the club’s supporters to lose faith, with Vale seemingly headed in the right direction under the new managerial and ownership regimes.