Four thoughts after the Port Vale win at Colchester
Rob Fielding shares his thoughts as Port Vale secure a potentially vital away victory at the Jobserve Community stadium.
Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the end of the article.
Six points and safety?
Well, what a difference five days make for Darrell Clarke and Port Vale’s fortunes! Six points from two games means that the Valiants are now probably safe from relegation this season. That’s perhaps not the outcome Vale fans were hoping for at the start of the season but at least it means the Vale have avoided a truly disastrous season.
In recent weeks, the side has looked devoid of confidence at times but it showed on Saturday what a confidence booster a win can be. Vale looked energetic, skilful and dangerous at times when on the front foot but probably just as importantly, they looked reassured at the back and confident of keeping a cleansheet even as Colchester pushed at the end.
Rodney shows his potential…
One player who clearly looks full of confidence right now is goalscorer Devante Rodney. In these last two games he’s shown both types of goalscoring. At Newport he was the striker on hand to net from close in while on Saturday he showed a bit of class with a brilliant curled effort from wide. He clearly is a work in progress and isn’t consistent yet but when on form, he looks a real player. Rodney is arguably the best signing that former John Askey made while at the club and the Valiants may be reaping the financial rewards in years to come.
Yes, there are teams who look worse than Vale!
It could be argued that Vale didn’t face too much resistance on Saturday but you can only beat what’s in front of you. Colchester looked like the Vale of a few weeks ago – devoid of ideas, anxious at the back and no threat upfront. It perhaps shows how much of a role confidence plays at this level as the Vale side of early March could well have gone there and mirrored the home side’s performance.
Big summer questions to come…
With safety all but assured the focus will no doubt move to the longer term and making sure that the next season is a distinct improvement. There could be some difficult decisions ahead. Take Manny Oyeleke, for instance. His return to the midfield has coincided with six points in two games, which is hardly a coincidence. But his fitness issues are well known. If he stays how many games can he be relied on to play next season? What will Vale decide – stick or twist? And that’s just one player – there’s many more to make this summer and Vale have to make sure they get them right.
Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the end of the article.