Five thoughts after the loss to Shrewsbury – time for Forrester to start in defence?
Rob Fielding thinks Will Forrester’s return will help to shore up the Port Vale back three. Here’s his thoughts after the 3-2 loss to Shrewsbury Town.
Rob Fielding writes…
Would Forrester return address leaky defence?
Vale’s defence has been the subject of deserved criticism in recent games. On Saturday, even before Aaron Donnelly was subbed at half-time and Dan Jones limped off, I felt it was time for Will Forrester to return to the back three. When he did the defence immediately looked more resilient even after Jones had to go off. I felt Forrester had a slow start to the season but found form after a run of games. For me, I think the same should apply here. Loanee Aaron Donnelly may have potential and a left foot but his inexperience has showed in recent games.
Playing our own youngster (Forrester is only 21) who is also benefit from the game time makes much more sense in my opinion. It may be complicated a little if Jones is out for a spell as there is no natural left-sided player but even so, I would pick Forrester over Donnelly right now.
Forward thinking
If Matty Taylor is fit to play on Tuesday it would be a big boost. Ideally, we’d have all of Messrs Taylor, Proctor Harrison, and Wilson to pick from, but it looks like the last two are still not ready. It’s also doubtful if Jamie Proctor can manage too many minutes as he regains match fitness.
However, if one of Proctor/Taylor can start the game with the other coming on from the bench it will at least give us a recognised forward and a focal point upfront. We certainly need a recognised forward in the front three. While Dennis Politic sparked into life on Saturday, Dan Butterworth’s form has been poor recently while Gavin Massey is unsuited to a central role. However, Politic and Massey (whose superb assist came when he was in a wider position) either side of a forward looks a much stronger forward line-up.
A surfeit of loanees
Taylor’s imminent debut also poses other problems for the coaching team. The Vale have six loanees (seven if you count forgotten man Liam McCarron) but only five can be in the squad. If Taylor starts that’s one, while Jack Stevens, Dennis Politic and Aaron Donnelly (especially if Jones if unfit) look certain to either start or be on the bench. That means Vale will need to drop one of Danny Butterworth or Mipu Odubeko from their squad. It does mean there will be one unhappy player soon and it’s the sign of an odd transfer policy.
I can understand the odd loanee to plug gaps in the squad but Vale’s side looks too loanee heavy especially if there are more loan players than can be accommodated in the squad. Several of the loanees are inexperienced and (naturally because they are loans) short-term fixes for positions such as in goal (more on that later). With Vale trying to develop their academy would it not have made more sense to give academy prospects such as McDermott and Plant the experience of being on the bench rather than developing other team’s talent?
Goalkeeping remains a long-term problem
I felt Jack Stevens didn’t have a game to remember on Saturday and as he’s contracted to Oxford until 2024 anyhow, it’s unlikely he will be at Vale Park after the end of this season. With Aidan Stone not yet trusted by the management it leaves the Vale with a problem over the summer.
It’s also not one where the club’s record has been great in recent years. Stevens divides opinion while the signings of Tomas Holy and Lucas Covolan were largely seen as poor ones. A reliable keeper who suits Vale’s high backline is a must over the summer – and a permanent, rather than loan, deal would make the most sense.
Smith shines as others struggle
Amid all the issues – the poor recent form of Mal Benning, the regular resting of assist-King David Worrall, captain Tom Conlon coming to terms with League One football among them – there has been one player who has got on with the job, put in consistent performances and wound-up a selection of oppposition players and managers to boot. Step forward my nomination for this season’s player of the year – “Mr Reliable” Nathan Smith.
Agree or disagree with these views?
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