A look ahead to Port Vale’s summer transfer window
With their League One status already confirmed for next season, the hierarchy at Port Vale will already be identifying positions to strengthen in the summer transfer window.
There are certainly areas in which Vale can improve and new acquisitions will be brought in to try and take the club to the next level of trying to challenge for the playoffs next season.
The Heart Of Defence Needs Support
One area in which manager Andy Crosby will be eager to strengthen is at centre-back, as Vale have found themselves struggling at times with defending set-pieces. They’ve been too leaky at the back.
Ipswich Town on the other hand had the best record in the division and ended up getting promoted to take another step towards the top flight.
To follow in the The Tractor Boys footsteps, the Valiants will need to build on their previous campaign which saw them stabilise themselves as a League One club, betting odds would likely suggest that promotion is a step too far in 2024, but you can bet here on the outcome of League One and individual Port Vale fixtures if you believe otherwise.
Improving the defence will go a long way in helping that consolidation in the third tier of English football and Clarke will be looking at centre-backs.
Nathan Smith is an experienced operator in defence but the homegrown talent, who has penned a new deal ahead of next season, does need more support. Dan Jones is another player who contributes at the back but Vale will certainly have their eye out for a commanding centre-back this summer.
More Support Needed For Harrison
Injuries have certainly not helped Port Vale at times this season but the side have had to overly depend on Ellis Harrison for goals. The 29-year-old is the club’s top goalscorer this season after bagging 11 in his first 33 league games of the campaign. The next highest scorers have been James Wilson and Matt Taylor, both with four, but the pair have had to deal with injuries this season.
With the departures of Jamie Proctor, James Wilson and loanees Matty Taylor and Mipo Odubeko, Vale will be looking to add numbers upfront. The question will be how many. Relying on just three experienced forwards is the last campaign proved to be risky and it has been something that has made life difficult at times this term.
Vale won’t want to run the same risk again for next season, so it’s likely that the club will look to bring in more firepower in attack over the coming months.
Vale’s hard work earlier in the season has meant they have managed to avoid the final day drama for survival and already the focus of some at the club will have switched to the 2023/24 campaign. An exciting summer window awaits and all hopes will be Crosby is given the tools to take his side to the next level.