Answers his critics in style – thoughts after Port Vale’s midweek draw with Mansfield Town
Rob Fielding shares his thoughts after Port Vale’s 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town and says that goalkeeper Lucas Covolan’s display was a great response to his critics.
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Covolan answers his critics in style
Hands up, I was one of those who thought Lucas Covolan’s place could be in doubt after criticism of his display in conceding Ollie Banks’ free-kick against Barrow. The Brazilian has been subject to a lot of scrutiny since joining the club but he certainly answered his critics in style on Tuesday. His shot stopping and command of the area was first-class while his excellent penalty save kept Vale in the game. As he continues to adapt to League Two football, Covolan will no doubt continue to have vocal critics during this early part of his Port Vale career. However, if he continues to show this form, he’ll continue to be the club’s undisputed number one.
Injuries bite for Valiants but side prevails
It wasn’t the most thrilling of games in midweek but sometimes you have to battle and the injury-sapped Valiants did just that. When you consider the likes of Leon Legge, Ryan Johnson and Jamie Proctor were all missing through injury ,while the likes of Aaron Martin, George Lloyd, Brad Walker and Devante Rodney were all returning from being out, it was an OK performance from a depleted Vale squad. The Vale are not going to give 10/10 displays in every game they play this season but that performance showed that even on an off-day they are hard to beat and who knows, that point may just be crucial at the end of the season?
Vale missing Proctor’s hold-up play up-front
Jamie Proctor may have been one of the summer’s less heralded signings but in a strong start to his Vale career he has quickly become a key player. However, Proctor is now ruled out for a couple of weeks and if Vale’s performance against Mansfield is any indicator, his presence up-top will be sorely missed. For me, Proctor brings many of the qualities a younger Tom Pope used to bring. He’s not express pace but his awareness is fantastic, his hold-up play brilliant and he brings players around him into play. When you add the goals he’s scored into the mix it’s no wonder he will be missed. All of Vale’s other strikers offer something different but there’s no direct replacement for him and Vale will have to adapt accordingly when playing without Proctor in their ranks.
The combination of Lloyd and Wilson in midweek failed to have the same threat as Proctor and Wilson. Wilson looks to be building up some form but Lloyd, although he did win a vital free-kick leading to the opener, didn’t carry much of a goalthreat. If Darrell Clarke persists with a front two then the obvious person to come in alongside Wilson is the mercurial Devante Rodney, but as “mercurial” suggests his form can fluctuate and he’s only just back from injury. I wonder if Vale’s formation will need to change in Proctor’s absence (and so on to my next point)…
What formation for Colchester?
That game against Mansfield means there is plenty up for discussion ahead of the Colchester game. The goalkeeper and midfield positions appear to be very settled, especially after captain Tom Conlon has begun to return to top form after recovering from injury. So, it’s really the defence and attack which still have areas of debate. Who plays of course depends on the formation but I’d be delighted if we went with a 4-3-3.
The absence of Jamie Proctor leaves a big gap upfront but I think if you played Dennis Politic and David Worrall either side of James Wilson, you’d have a different, but still highly dangerous, front line. Politic has looked really impressive in recent weeks while a move upfront would naturally free Worrall from his defensive duties as a wingback. It it’s three upfront and Pett, Garrity, Conlon in midfield then naturally it needs to be four at the back. I’d go with Gibbons, Smith, Martin and Jones as my back four. That’s because I think Lewis Cass is best placed in a back three and it would be a risk to play a youngster with such little gametime in the League in a central back two. For that reason, I’d favour the experienced Aaron Martin over him. Gibbo would fill in for Worrall in his natural right-back slot and I would opt for the mightily impressive Dan Jones over the so far inconsistent Mal Benning at left-back. I think Jones’ arrowed long balls to the likes of Worrall could be a potent weapon.
If you name that starting line-up then if anything goes awry you can still call on defensive reinforcements from the bench with the likes of Cass, Amos and Benning or if you need a spark bring on Amoo and Rodney as wildcards upfront.
Having said all that, I now expect Darrell Clarke to name three at the back and a front two!
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