Do Port Vale have realistic play-off hopes for 2022?
Following the signings of the likes of Ryan Johnson, Tom Pett, Mal Benning, Lucas Covolan and many more already, Port Vale are making strides in pre-season to set themselves up as best they can for a promotion push in the 2021/22 season.
Top image – Tom Pett in action for Port Vale against Kidsgrove Athletic- AS Photos
There are some solid teams in League Two this year, with Salford understandably the early favourites mainly because they’ve got plenty of money behind them. They’re priced at 13/2 with top bookmakers bet365 and William Hill.
The best betting sites will often have the most competitive odds. It might be wise to avoid Port Vale at around 18/1 with 365 and Hills. They have a great chance, but it might be best to hedge your bets on a play-off place instead. A trip to Wembley in the play-off final is certainly possible if the Valiants start the season well.
The 2021/22 fixtures haven’t been too kind to Port Vale, with a tough opener away to Northampton Town followed by two home games against Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle United. But if they can pick up two wins out of three there, it acts as a solid springboard for the rest of the season. As much as seasons aren’t decided in the first month, it will give the players a psychological boost to get off to a good start.
Away from the league focus, two cup draws have already taken place. Darrell Clarke’s side host Sunderland in the Carabao Cup, whereas Vale’s Papa John’s Trophy adventure begins with a group involving Bolton, Rochdale, and Liverpool’s youngsters.
It’s reasonable to think that Vale will enjoy the League Cup without really striving to go as far as possible in the competition. The league must be the focus there. But the Football League Trophy is arguably a great chance of getting to Wembley.
Fans would choose promotion over a Wembley final most certainly, but can you imagine a League Two play-off final at Wembley as well as a Cup final? That would be some end to the season. Provided Vale wins both, of course.
It remains to be seen just how the season will go, but if Clarke’s men start well, anything is possible.