Four thoughts after Port Vale’s draw with Stevenage

An awful lot of work to do… Rob Fielding shares his thoughts after Port Vale’s dour draw against Stevenage on Tuesday evening.

Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the end of the article.

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3-5-2 – a new standard or due to circumstances?

It’s been a while since Vale have had three at the back and while it’s a formation that suited Legge, Smith and Crookes (as they recorded a clean sheet) it can cause problems elsewhere. For one, it must be an exhausting job being a wingback on the wide expanses of Vale Park. It’s no wonder that James Gibbons, just back from injury appeared to tire in the second-half.

Secondly, if it is persisted with, one wonders how the likes of David Worrall, David Amoo or Alex Hurst can be accommodated into it? Perhaps this was simply “needs must” by Darrell Clarke? Vale have been leaky at the back and that has partly been due to some errors by Leon Legge. Partnering him with two younger players meant Legge was back to his best for this game. Similarly, with Worrall and Amoo not in the equation through injury, there was no need to accommodate them.

It will be interesting to see if the formation persists when wingers are available though. The lack of chances created by the Vale for large portions of the second-half certainly showed the limitations of the system in terms of attacking play.

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Toothless Vale

For much of the season, Vale fans have bemoaned the lack of firepower from playing one central striker. However, even when two are played Vale looked short of goalthreat. Perhaps again this was due to circumstances: Vale needed to tighten up at the back which may mean they are less attacking at the other end.

It may also due to debutant Will Swan who faded after a bright start. That’s perhaps harsh on the youngster (more on him later) but Kurtis Guthrie, who would be playing against his former club may have been a better bet against Stevenage’s experience defence allowing Darrell Clarke the chance to bring Swan on as an impact sub instead.

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Grass isn’t always greener

Perhaps the Vale fans calling for Swan to start and prior to that calling for Olagunji to start will have learnt a lesson now. The grass isn’t always greener. The old adage that a player’s reputation soars when they’re not in the starting eleven seems very true at Vale this season.

In the case of Swan and Olagunji, fans got their wishes to see both start but despite some promising glimpses, both have looked raw and not quite ready to push for a start. That’s not writing them off. They are both promising youngsters and may have bright careers ahead of them but right now they lack match sharpness and experience.

That’s to be expected in a way, the reason for the loans is for them to gain that experience. Perhaps for now, despite fans’ calls, they are both best used off the bench.

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An awful lot of work to do…

A scrappy home draw against Stevenage perhaps gives a good indication of just how far Port Vale have to go to make the club genuine promotion candidates. It’s sensible to have David Flitcroft and Darrell Clarke in situ now because their retained list at the end of the season and the signings they bring in will be crucial.

I’m a big fan of continuity at clubs but right now I feel a clear out at the end of the season is inevitable and the only way forward for the side. The experienced spine are getting no younger, the summer signings have largely failed and the side clearly needs new additions in defence and attack.

Good luck Messrs Clarke and Flitcroft, you’re going to need it!

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Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the end of the article.