Five thoughts following Port Vale’s battling draw at Bradford
Rob Fielding shares five thoughts after a hard working draw as thoughts start to turn to the January transfer window.
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‘Snow’ goals but so much better than Barrow
OK, this wasn’t the most entertaining game but at least it was better than Barrow. Even the likes of the much castigated Danny Whitehead put in a shift and overall this Vale side looked more motivated, more disciplined and more professional. Yes, there weren’t many moments of flair and invention but at least the basics of hard work and defensive solidity were in place. It gives John Askey something to build on.
Early January sales at Vale
This was a Vale side which included three youth teamers on the bench yet it could not be argued that Vale were down to the bare bones. Yes, Montano, Worrall, Oyeleke, Conlon and Cullen were all sidelined but first-teamers Mitch Clark, Theo Robinson and Harry McKirdy were conspicuous by their absence. It seems that Clark, for whatever reason, will not play again for Vale and is set to return to Leicester City. Meanwhile the absence of McKirdy and Robinson was explained by John Askey after the match as he revealed the duo are on the transfer list. It gave an indication of Port Vale’s January window tactics as Askey looks to reshape his side. And talking of reshaping the side…
Rebuilding the spine
With 2020 almost over, it’s time to look ahead to the future for the Valiants. For me, this is clearly an ageing Vale side. The likes of Scott Brown, Leon Legge, Luke Joyce and Tom Pope have had great careers but they are not getting any younger. With the exception of Devante Rodney upfront, there are no up and coming youngsters pushing those four for a place right now. The four veterans comprise the spine of the side and maybe this is wishful thinking but John Askey has to start bringing their long-term replacements in sooner rather than later. The January window may be an awkward time to recruit new players but new blood for the spine of the side is needed if not in January, then in the summer.
The future… but not the finished article
During this awful run, two of the bright spots have been the performances of Alex Hurst and Devante Rodney. It’s no real surprise that Harry McKirdy has been transfer listed. Alex Hurst with his greater discipline tracking back and 100% work rate has jumped ahead of him and is challenging Montano, Amoo and Worrall for a start. With squad limits, Port Vale don’t need more than four wingers so McKirdy is now surplus to requirements.
Both Hurst and Rodney show real promise in patches but have yet to put on a consistent ninety minutes display. That will surely come given game time but their recent performances are highly encouraging and offer hope for the future.
The lack of supporters at games is a bitter blow but in a odd way, perhaps it’s fortunate that both are playing away from fans as sometimes the likes of the Lorne Street stand can be difficult to please and their wrath can wither young players’ confidence. Ironically their absence means Rodney and Hurst can continue to develop and put the odd mistake to the back of their mind rather than being constantly reminded of it from the terraces.
Goodbye 2020… you won’t be missed
And with that game being the final fixture of the year, it goes without saying that I hope that 2021 brings much better fortune to Port Vale both on and off the pitch. It’s grating only being able to watch the team on a stream and I know I am certainly not alone in itching to attend a game. Despite what I said in the previous section about the younger players, a live crowd can also give players a boost and that may have helped during Vale’s recent poor run. However, the biggest impact a crowd can have right now is to give a positive boost to Port Vale’s finances. I do feel for the club’s owners who have had to weather the Covid storm. I hope everyone – staff, players and fans – stay safe and well for the remainder of this year and into the next.
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Fred
30th December 2020 @ 9:02 am
I agree we need to look at replacing the veteran players pretty soon
Mike Rennie
30th December 2020 @ 10:12 am
Brilliant summary as usual all the best Rob, happy new year to all the Vale supporters as well as to all those at the club UTV
Carl Lorenz
30th December 2020 @ 10:17 am
From what I’ve seen of Visser I’m confident he could step up.
Legge Joyce and Pope will need replacing though and certainly I think by the end of this season.
Ben doon
30th December 2020 @ 12:22 pm
Panic over
Ian Clarke
30th December 2020 @ 12:55 pm
At the minute success at the Vale is the players working hard and putting a shift in and us not losing the game. The back four deployed at Bradford looks decent in the short term. Conlan and Oyleke needed to improve the midfield. Robinson looked the obvious candidate to fill the central strikers roll with Tom now 35, Cullen injured and Rodney developing but now not to be. The lack of a home crowd has kept some pressure off the manager and owner but having spent 3 of the last 4 seasons fighting relegation, the supporters expect better in 2021.
Bob Norbury
30th December 2020 @ 3:41 pm
As I have previously mentioned I thunk the back four should be Smith, Brisley, Legge and Fitzpatrick. The midfield should comprise any three from Conlon, Worrall, Joyce and Burgess – with the attack comprising any three from Montano, Cullen, Manny, Amoo, Devanter and Hurst. I personally would play Montano, Amoo and Cullen with Devanter and Hurst as playable subs. I am yet to be convinced that Manny is fully fit. The problem often highlighted is that when Cullen is playing against a very tall defence the Vale players keep playing high balls to him when it is quite obvious that the defenders will cut these out and such balls will not reach him. Cullen is very good with the ball on the deck and often scores in complete control with the ball at his feet – so could his fellow team members take this on board and at least give him some chance of taking on the opposition. It’s not rocket science and should be thrashed out by the coaching staff. Montano and Amoo are always capable of scoring and they also like the ball to be played to their feet by their team members. Scott Brown in goal of course — but he has an able deputy in Visser.
Keith Dawson
30th December 2020 @ 5:02 pm
A much better performance against Bradford I’m sure you’ll all agree? The work ethic was visible and the players selected worked hard for each other. What we lacked in ability we made up for in desire, definite penalty which would have given us all 3 points, I am always amazed how the linesman, stood only10 yards away can’t see that a foul was committed and inform the referee accordingly. On s real plus note I see that Robinson has been offered to any other team that doesn’t want to score goals, even though the transfer market/new rules make things tricky I am sure that we will see a couple of new faces in January. Keep the faith and remember things could be worse, I am sure Mr Askey and our owners will do what they can to rescue the situation.
Maurice Williams
30th December 2020 @ 5:58 pm
3 players from the academy squad how about picking 2 players from the ladies team .Team down to the bare bones
Coojo
30th December 2020 @ 6:40 pm
Great column Rob, our veteran players need replacing at the end of this awful season. As a supporter of 45 years Vale Park can be very intimidating for away sides even though we only attract 4-7000 gates and i believe players have missed us. As fans, all we want is hard work, dunna bother me if player is of limited skill, i’ll support his effort( i.e Griff, Porter ect)Last Saturday was p.ss poor in terms of workrate & effort, last night far better
Geoff West
2nd January 2021 @ 12:10 pm
I generally agree with Bob Norbury, but I also would like to add , this age thing doesn’t really wash when talking of goalkeepers, the Tom Pope age thing I don’t conform 100% with, firstly Tom has no pace to lose “feed the Pope and he will score” still holds water, you would still b hard pressed to find as good a hold the ball up forward anywhere in the league and no other player is a better header, its the decent service he lacks.
Teams need goals from midfield by this I mean 20 goals shared amongst them, what this does happen it means pressure is taken off the defence and assists the forwards.
The team has to turn around opposition defences by this I mean that the opposition back four has to be facing their own goal more as any half decent back four can look good facing up the field , turn them around and the 70-30 advantage is then turned around.