Five thoughts after the Port Vale win over Lincoln and draw at Wycombe – Robinson makes case for a run in the side
Rob Fielding shares his thoughts after Port Vale make it four points out of six with a win over Lincoln City and a draw at Wycombe.
Rob Fielding writes…
Robinson forcing his way into contention
His recent game time may have come as a result of Vale’s mounting injury list but youngster Sammy Robinson has done his chances of a regular starting slot no harm. Robinson looked lively when coming on as a sub on Saturday and arguably did even better starting on the flank on Tuesday night.
I can understand why Darrell Clarke and co are cautious with the youngster’s appearances – Robinson can be a touch erratic on occasion – but the more he plays the more consistent he looks to become. Perhaps a run in the side will iron out those issues?
It’s a tricky one as arguably Robinson’s main rival on the right – David Worrall – is a consistent source of assists – but Robinson has both youth and fitness on his side. Clarke may not agree with giving Robinson a run but even if that’s so, the defender’s versatility to fill in for several positions makes him a valuable squad man.
So, Vale fans can be assured that should Robinson drop back to the bench then if/when Worrall or Massey pick up any injuries or miss games, there is a reliable and up-and-coming deputy within the squad. And at just 20 years of age his time in the Port Vale first-team will surely come.
Butterworth also makes his case for a run in the side
Talking of players making a case for a run in the side, Danny Butterworth certainly fits that category. Excellent as a starter against Lincoln, he also impressed off the bench on Tuesday night. His close control and surging runs show his skills and having had first-team opportunities limited over the years, one wondered how much his game would come on with a run in the side.
And on that note, I wonder if Vale are perhaps eyeing Butterworth as a potential permanent signing. He’s out of contract in the summer and was so out of the Blackburn Rovers picture he neither trained with the first-team nor was allocated a squad number. Vale pride themselves on showing players how they would be treated at Vale Park and at 23 it may be time for Butterworth to make a move in search of permanent first-team football.
It’s worth mentioning that Vale currently have six loanees but can only name five in the squad. The likes of Mipu Odebeko and Liam McCarron are on long-term deals so a permanent switch is highly unlikely. However, with Butterworth in the final months of his contract… perhaps a mutual termination of contract and a move to Vale Park in January would suit both sides? I hope so as he would be a quality addition to the squad.
Injuries starting to bite
I don’t think I’ve seen a pair of disrupted games in a long time. I feel for poor Jack Stevens, in particular, who has been in the wars with a succession of knocks and blows in recent games. It’s perhaps fortunate that Darrell Clarke has opted for a squad rotation system this season as if he hadn’t, he would have been forced into multiple changes anyway.
Perhaps the biggest concern after the Wycombe game will be the state of James Wilson after he was the victim of an agricultural challenge on Tuesday night. Mipu Odubeko came on and did well but it would be a big ask for the youngster to cover for the classy Wilson over the long-term.
Tom-Tom midfield quietly moving in right direction?
Tom Pett is always one of those players who seems to fit the tag “unsung”. He quietly and effectively does his job – whether it’s acting as the deep lying midfielder or standing in as captain. He’s never going to bombard an opposition defence with pinpoint crosses but he does what he does very well. Arguably, he wouldn’t be in the side if Funso Ojo or Brad Walker were fit but since he has come in, he hasn’t done much wrong.
In contrast, Tom Conlon has a reputation for high quality play and slowly but surely he is coming back into top form. I have seen comments from some fans criticising Conlon’s form earlier in the season but I felt that after such a long lay-off, fans needed to show some patience with the skipper.
I think Conlon is starting to show glimpses of the form that saw him regarded as one of Vale’s prize assets – and perhaps that’s partly down to his unassuming partner Pett. It’s a partnership of contrasting styles but with a two game unbeaten run behind them, one that we could see more of in future games.
On target to stay up
Vale’s form over recent weeks has also probably calmed any fears of the club being sucked into the relegation zone. The squad looks strong enough to cope with multiple injuries, there are multiple options in some positions and there’s always the chance to strengthen any problem areas in the January transfer window. There’s clearly no room for complacency but it looks to me like Vale have enough to be starting next season in League One…
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