Transfer Rumour: newspaper links Port Vale strike pair with move
The Essex Daily Gazette newspaper has highlighted transfer-listed Port Vale striker Theo Robinson and released forward Kurtis Guthrie as potential targets for new Swindon Town manager John McGreal.
McGreal was Colchester Utd manager for four years, so the Essex newspaper has taken a look at some potential targets for their former boss, who was recently named the Swindon Town manager.
Robinson linked
Robinson joined the Valiants for a second spell at the start of the 2020-21 season but had an underwhelming season, scoring just three times in the League and six goals overall. The striker still has a year left on his Valiants contract, but was one of three players to be transfer listed by Vale manager Darrell Clarke at the end of the season.
Robinson’s form last season contrasts with his 2019-20 scoring record, which included twelve goals in 34 games on loan at Colchester United, where he played under McGreal.
It’s that link which the Gazette highlights with the newspaper commenting:
Theo Robinson relished playing under McGreal at Colchester, making 33* appearances and scoring 12 times for them while on loan from Southend United in the 2019-20 season.
The 32-year-old striker, who had a loan spell at Swindon in the 2018-19 campaign, is available after being transfer-listed by League Two side Port Vale.
*Note: our research shows Robinson played 34 times, not 33.
It remains to be seen if McGreal is interested in taking Robinson, but it would seem to be a move that potentially would suit both parties as the player is unlikely to get much game time at Vale Park.
Theo Robinson at Vale Park
Spells: 2015-16 and 2020 to present
Games: 51
Goals: 8
The image shows Robinson arriving for his 2015 spell
Guthrie linked
The newspaper also speculates that McGreal may be interested in taking released Valiants forward Kurtis Guthrie. The forward was signed on a short-term deal from Bradford City at the start of 2021, but despite impressing with his work rate, he rarely looked a goal threat.
The forward did at least end a forty game goal drought with a strike against Harrogate Town, but he was unsurprisingly released at the end of the season after just one goal in seventeen games for the club.
The newspaper commented:
The striker had a good relationship with McGreal during his time at the JobServe Community Stadium.
McGreal signed Kurtis Guthrie from Forest Green Rovers and initially played him in a midfield role, before moving him up front.
In total, Guthrie played nearly 50 times for Colchester under McGreal and is currently available on a free, following his release by Port Vale.
Other players to be linked with Swindon Town by the newspaper include released Walsall winger Wes McDonald, former Ipswich Town striker Freddie Sears and experienced midfielder John-Joe O’Toole.
Port Vale fans – what do you think, will Swindon Town make a move for Robinson or Guthrie? Post a comment below.