Four thoughts after Port Vale’s win at Cambridge – Clarke proves online critics wrong, Forrester to the fore

Rob Fielding shares his thoughts after Darrell Clarke proved his online critics wrong with a valuable 1-0 away win at Cambridge.

Rob Fielding writes…

Clarke proves his online critics wrong

Like many other fans, I saw the team news for the match appear on Twitter at 2pm. However, the reaction of some fans surprised me. The absence of James Wilson and Ellis Harrison caused a really extreme and knee jerk reaction by some.

We don’t know much about injuries at Vale Park. Since Clarke and co have taken over things are kept in-house so as to not to alert the opposition. This seems to have been one of those moments. All those fans going ballistic over the absence of Wilson and Harrison really had no right to be doing so. They have no idea if the pair were fit to play. They have no idea that if the club did force them through this game that it wouldn’t result in a lengthy spell on the sidelines. In short, they had no information and were wrong to doubt the judgement of the manager and the medical team.

Well, ultimately, Darrell Clarke had the last laugh. He showed the depth of his squad, he correctly managed the fitness of two key players and he brought home three points. With the Valiants being cagey about their injuries this season, it’s likely that further shocks will be in store ahead of other matches. I hope that fans will remember this game and hold their tongues but sadly I don’t think some will.

Forrester coming to the fore

After his recent performances, it’s sometimes easy to forget that Will Forrester is still a rookie and still learning. He’s only 21 and hasn’t even mustered 25 senior appearances in his career. However, judging by his recent showings including a commanding performance at Cambridge, Forrester has real potential and could go far in the game. Credit is due to the Vale recruitment team because the last three additions to the back-line – Hall, Cass and now Forrester have all looked quality additions to the squad.

A well balanced back three?

I think every team needs a Nathan Smith – a whole-hearted defender whose whole game is defensive based, but it’s good to see his other team mates can also pose an attacking thread. For that reason,  I was also pleased to see Connor Hall, a defender who doesn’t get a nose bleed in the opposition box playing on Saturday. For me, Forrester, Smith and Hall is a really well balanced back three. All three are good in the air. Smith can stay back to counter any opposition breaks, while Hall can maraud on the left and the increasing influential Forrester can push ahead on the right.

Honest captain returning to form

It was refreshing to see some brutally honest comments from captain Tom Conlon in mid-week. I don’t think any Vale fan doubts Tom’s commitment to the cause and his determination to do his best for the side. Being off the pace in several matches is also understandable after he suffered such a long lay-off and I don’t think his cause has been helped by being asked to play out of position on occasion.

It was therefore good to see Conlon offering glimpses of his quality during the game against Cambridge. It may still take a few more games but Conlon is heading in the right direction and I am sure all fans will look forward to seeing him return to his very best soon.

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