Retained list 2021: which full-backs should stay?
It’s arguably one of the biggest decisions of recent years as manager Darrell Clarke rebuilds the Port Vale squad in the summer. In this series, we’ll look at the side position-by-position and ask you to vote on who you think should stay and who should be released.
The Full-Backs
The Background
Ah, the Port Vale full-back positions – seemingly a bone of contention all season. If fit then arguably James Gibbons and Cristian Montano should be first choice – especially with Darrell Clarke’s selection of a back three requiring attacking wingbacks. However, the pair have rarely been fit this season and that’s when the problems began. Summer additions Zak Mills and David Fitzpatrick have rarely hit the heights, both have had decent spells and both have also received their fair share of criticism. Adam Crookes has barely featured as a full-back but that’s more than can be said of youngster Ryan Campbell-Gordon who has failed to make an appearance. With so many injuries, poor form and chopping and changing it’s arguably one area of the side which is ripe for an overhaul in the summer.
Note: We’re including Cristian Montano as a full-back although he can play in other positions. Similarly, Adam Crookes has been covered in the central defenders article so he’s not included here.
The Stats
- James Gibbons: 11 appearances / O goals – Under contract until 2022
- Cristian Montano: 28 appearances / 8 goals – Out of contract
- Zak Mills: 21 appearances / 0 goal – Out of contract
- David Fitzpatrick: 22 appearances / 0 goals – Out of contract
- Ryan Campbell-Gordon: 0 appearances / 0 goals – Out of contract
League appearances only – stats as of 27th April 2021
The Players
James Gibbons
The absence of James Gibbons through injury for lengthy parts of this season has arguably been the biggest, single loss of the season. He’s under contract for next season and surely every Valiant will be keeping their fingers, toes and everything else crossed that he’s fully fit for 2021-22. When fit and available he’s undeniably first-choice at right-back or right wing-back and (as he’s shown in recent weeks) he can do a decent job on the left flank too.
Status: Under contract
Cristian Montano
Monty is a popular player and undoubtely has the skill set to change a match with a moment of magic. However, he also divides opinion. His injury record isn’t great for a start. With squad limits in place will that be a problem next season? There’s also the problem of his best position? In a back four, his defensive ability often comes under scrutiny. However, if Darrell Clarke persists with three at the back, Montano’s attacking abilities on the left appear ideal. He’s also a useful player to have in the squad due to his ability to fit in several positions. For those reasons, we reckon he would be a good player to have in the squad next season.
Status: Out of contract in the summer
OVF decision: Keep
You decide:
Zak Mills
It’s been a patchy season for the summer addition but it does look like circumstances will mean this could be his only season at the club. Mills’ availability was a plus when James Gibbons was injured but then Mills himself suffered a season ending injury putting a question mark on his own fitness. Secondly, if Darrell Clarke persists with his three at the back then Mills looks unsuited for the attacking wingback role.
Status: Out of contract in the summer
OVF decision: Leave
You decide:
David Fitzpatrick
A signing which prompted some criticism in the summer, Fitzpatrick was another former Macclesfield Town player to join under John Askey. Much of what we’ve just written about Zak Mills applies to Fitzpatrick. He’s been injured for some time now which puts doubt on his fitness record while he seems unsuited to an attacking left wingback role next season. We suspect that, like Mills, this may be his only season at the club.
Status: Out of contract in the summer
OVF decision: Leave
You decide:
Ryan Campbell-Gordon
A case of what could have been. Campbell-Gordon looked to be a potential future star when the club offered him a two-year professional contract in 2019. His appearances in last season’s cup competitions did nothing to change that view as he looked energetic on the left flank. This should have been the season for him to push on but instead it looks like the end of the road. For whatever reason, the youngster hasn’t made a single senior appearance and has had to be content with a couple of loan spells. Perhaps Darrell Clarke, with squad limits in place, may take a chance of the defender developing next season but frankly it looks unlikely.
Status: Out of contract in the summer
OVF decision: Leave
You decide:
More votes on the 2021 retained list
- Retained list 2021: which keepers should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which central defenders should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which full-backs should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which central midfielders should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which wingers should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which strikers should stay?