Opinion: on a human level, is it time to give Ryan Loft a break?
Rob Fielding says that while criticism of Ryan Loft’s striking ability is justified some other comments are not and that the fans should think of the human being before jeering. He adds that for the player’s mental health, it may also be wise for him to take a break from the Port Vale squad.
Rob Fielding writes…
You may not agree with this sentiment and by all means post a comment if you don’t agree – but I think that for the person’s mental health we need to lay off Ryan Loft.
My concern here is also for the man, not the player. It was noticeable on Tuesday night that his Vale team mates took time to speak to Loft during the game. I do worry about his mental state of mind right now…
Now, let’s be clear. I’m not trying to rewrite history. Right now Loft is a terrible signing, an appalling indictment of the transfer team who made him a long-term target and clearly not someone who is going to sort out our goalscoring woes. His miss on Tuesday night was significant and that of a player completely shot of confidence.
I doubt anyone would disagree with any of that but here’s where we may differ. I keep reading comments about lack of effort, can’t be bothered and so on. I can’t agree. If Loft really wasn’t putting in the effort why did he chase down the keeper on multiple occasions, put in the lung busting run that led to his golden chance and put his head in where it hurts while defending?
To me there’s a clear difference between errors and effort. Loft’s goal chance was an error but it wasn’t down to lack of effort. As pundit Phil Sproson said, Loft has some qualities it’s just that those he possesses are not those you necessarily want in a striker. I would tend to agree. Loft doesn’t take or create many chances. Often he goes without a single shot in a game. That’s not good for someone signed as a striker. He also doesn’t get into dangerous areas on the pitch. But that’s more to do with him not being a natural striker than not putting in the effort.
Ryan Loft at Port Vale – a timeline
1st Sept – Loft is unveiled as a Port Vale player having been given a two-year contract. Director of Football David Flitcroft hails the signing saying “We have been chasing Ryan throughout the summer. Ryan’s attributes will improve the squad’s quality at the top end of the pitch.”
5th Sept – Loft makes his debut in a Football League Trophy game against Crewe
13th Dec – The striker scores his only Port Vale goal in an FA Cup loss to Stevenage. Manager Andy Crosby concedes that Loft is “not in the greatest state obviously mentally.”
27th Feb – Loft reaches eighteen League games without a goal for the club.
My concern here is also for the man, not the player. It was noticeable on Tuesday night that his Vale team mates took time to speak to Loft during the game. I do worry about his mental state of mind right now and constant criticism, some before he’s even taken to the pitch, must play its part.
Ryan Loft is clearly not the answer to our striking problems. However, I’m talking about a human being now and I do wonder if it’s best for both parties to give him a break from the first-team squad and a chance to reset in the summer. That may sound a bit extreme but is he really contributing anything on the pitch anyhow? Perhaps he just needs a complete break and to engineer a move elsewhere in the summer as clearly this transfer to the Valiants just hasn’t worked.
I’m not privy to the squad conversations though and perhaps Loft wants to carry on playing? I think that may be a mistake, but if he does continue to play I do feel that fans should think of the human being in front of them before they jeer. Loft is not a great striker but that doesn’t make him guilty of some of the other offences constantly laid at his feet.
Sadly, I don’t think that abuse is going to halt at games so perhaps it’s best for everyone and especially Ryan Loft’s mental health if he’s given a break and left out of the squad.
Mr. Matt Bentley
28th February 2024 @ 12:11 pm
I agree – if every player put his effort in for 90 minutes we wouldn’t be in the bottom 4
The better players not being bothered is far bigger a crime then being an inferior player that’s got little confidence
Having a go at him is too easy, and demonstrates that many don’t watch the game
Michael Amison
28th February 2024 @ 12:15 pm
He’s crap get rid
Chicken steve
28th February 2024 @ 12:40 pm
The jeering of the team and direct catcalls at loft after the full time whistle including calling him a bottler represent a new low for me in respect of fan attitudes at VP. It’s getting more and more toxic and the game is becoming unwatchable due to the abuse being hurled from the seats. The players hearing this abuse will not be wanting to “play for the badge”.
Marco polo
28th February 2024 @ 12:43 pm
R.Loft is good Target man , just not a Prolific scorer.
DeeDee
28th February 2024 @ 1:04 pm
I agree that Ryan loft is suffering throughout all the chanting and shouting at his skills ,it’s bullying and people have lost their lives through mental illness. It’s time the staff behind him realise he is not up to standard for the team and take him of for his own good .One goal in 18 matches is proof enough and the longer the governor let’s him on the pitch the more abuse he is getting .So he needs taking off for his own good.
David raftery
28th February 2024 @ 1:10 pm
Ryan loft or anybody else even kane would not score many goals with the rubbish service and less than hopeful crosses it is not one player’s fault we are in this mess but most of the team and management except Moore
Philip Mr Landon
28th February 2024 @ 1:13 pm
I agree abusing players is not the answer, players know when they haven’t had a good game and they and the manager must reflect on it.
If Loft was not the answer why did the recruitment team sign him, they should stand up and answer the criticism.
The result of their poor recruitment will probably result in second division football next season.
Gerald Siery
28th February 2024 @ 1:39 pm
Booing players is a no no, how would you like to be criticized at your place of work? That would upset anyone, he is a human being for gods sake. If I take stick for this so be it, but remember everyone as a breaking point it could be you next.
Coops
28th February 2024 @ 1:42 pm
I’m sure if we kept wozza and benning or anyone who wants to go and get a cross in he would score plenty of goals we play at the back we hit the ball at him on his own ! What is he supposed to do ! I’m sure even popey would have a goal drought as we play at the back ! We attacked last night and got two goals so funny how that works ! Then we go back and every man at the back no way out it’s basic shit really
Warren
28th February 2024 @ 1:50 pm
I one hundred percent agree. He gets abuse by default and it goes too far. The miss last night was crucial. All around me couldn’t believe he missed the goal entirely.
It’s the wrong moment for experimentation maybe. But he does get stuck in and he has some skill in certain situations. So here comes a centre half?
Andy
28th February 2024 @ 2:01 pm
I think the abuse of any player isn’t on. They don’t go on the pitch to play badly. We all have to remember that they are young people first and football players after.
Ian Brammer
28th February 2024 @ 2:02 pm
Extremely valid point Rob. I feel for the guy I really do. For whatever reason it isn’t working for him at the Vale-others better qualified have seen something in him for sure. However, I personally don’t believe that abusing any individual is pretty abhorrent and potentially damaging. He isn’t alone in being targeted either. Conor Grant and Smudge have common for some heavy criticism too, personal abuse in some cases. I agree, a good time for an extended break.
Tone
28th February 2024 @ 2:07 pm
The personal attacks on Loft and other individual people at the club makes me want to distance myself from fellow fans and their abuse. I’ve interacted with fellow Valiants using the internet for probably 30 years. Almost half the time I’ve supported the Vale and back to when there was only “One Vale Fan In Bristol”. (Young fans, ask your dad.) I’ve never seen such evil comments. But back to Loft. He’s struggled, we know. But his effort when he’s been on the pitch lately has been remarkable.
Mental health is something that comes up frequently. Often the responses seem like merely virtue signalling. Or maybe those same people suffer, too? Let’s be more kind to each other. After all, “We are ALL Vale, aren’t we?”
Big john
28th February 2024 @ 2:28 pm
Should get rid of him, along with ikpezu,
Daniel Heath
28th February 2024 @ 2:57 pm
Totally agree stop the abuse but what I don’t get. We do have a great striker Wilson. If he’s fit he plays for me. The problem is. The strikers don’t have support delivery into the box terrible 4/4-2. TRY IT!!! Loft needs a break. And everyone needs to lay of the man.
Vale fan
28th February 2024 @ 3:16 pm
OK Rob, maybe you are right,let all the fans reset this season whether we stay up or go down.BUT before we do, the powers that be, Carol,Flitcroft, stand up and tell us what has gone on, behind the scenes at the Vale, we all know that, you take the all the decisions mainly wrong ones this season.The only way the fans can have a say is through the media,You still insist on Flitcroft staying, fair enough, you have lost thousands of fans already because of his management, we want players not kids on the pitch, You are taking the fans for granted ( this is also abuse).Just tell us what is really going on at Vale Park, no matter what happens the fans will never accept Flitcroft.Tell us the truth it will be better in the end.We all knew how the match would end up last night and we all know what will happen on Saturday at Derby.
Darren Sumner
28th February 2024 @ 3:42 pm
It’s the manager who is putting him in this situation by playing him. He and many others are not good enough. Feel sorry for the manager as he inherited a pile of rubbish.
Paul Flynn
28th February 2024 @ 6:18 pm
The ultimate person to blame is Flitcroft. Two January windows two abject failures. Loft actually tries when he is on the pitch but the reality is he is not good enough. I think he knows it but could do without the Vale hordes telling him so. How about those who abuse him have 3000 fans stood by you at work shouting obscenities at you. He doesn’t do it on purpose. Carol I suspect has been preoccupied with the sale of her company which is understandable. I also suspect come the end of the season she will relinquish control of the club to someone else. Let’s be kind to each other at least in public.
Andy Endon
28th February 2024 @ 7:50 pm
When we were 2-1 up last night Connor Ripley kicked his long kick off the ground straight through to the Fleetwood Keeper I think he was aiming for Mighten but hit it too straight and too long. We lost possession and that paved the way for the Fleetwood equaliser. For some reason Connor didn’t aim his goal kicks to Loft who could have headed them on for Mighten he kept aiming for Dan Jones. I think we need Ryan Loft up front and get behind him to give him the confidence he deserves to match his work rate. You saw his head go down after he missed our possible third and match wining goal. He doesn’t need a break he needs more game time to get through it.
jeffrey norman keen
28th February 2024 @ 9:16 pm
We all want Ryan Loft to succeed and score goals so fans are frustrated with the situation and should it be affecting his mental welfare we are sorry , but we have paid hundreds of pounds for season tickets and car parking , and it is affecting our mental health too . When we go down ( IF ) the club will probably have to make redundancies when the new financial realities bite . The reasons for this situation is understood by 85% by supporters but the one person would has overall control still refuses to get rid of her kryptonite .The only chance of change will be season ticket sales and perhaps recruitment left in the sole charge of DM . There is an urgent need for signing 2 forwards who must be unattached –they could even come from non-league if finances are that tight we should take action .
David Brown
28th February 2024 @ 9:28 pm
A good point made by Rob Field. Scapegoating, abuse, and finger pointing blame to individual players doesn’t help anyone connected to the club. From what I’ve seen, Loft is a tidy player with good hold up skills, with good work rate. That he’s a striker without goals is disappointing for him, club, and supporters, but it isn’t that unusual. Way back in 1967 I recall the club signing Welsh International and ex Arsenal centre forward Mel Charles (brother of the great John Charles), but he never scored a single goal for the club. It can happen to the best of them !
Neville Kirkland
29th February 2024 @ 4:36 am
Look I look at Ryan and think he has the pace and the build to be a top striker but I look at him play and think his whole performance he let’s himself down ,his heading is surprisingly bad his fight for the ball is bad and his goal chances are non excistant, so cmon Ryan get out of putting 60% into a game and realise this is a 1 in a million job and enjoy it ,take your chance Ryan and prove what the vale fans say about you is wrong,tackle more, chace more ,that number 9 shirt comes with a lot of history for vale fans so cmon get your act together and start scoring
malcolm alcock
29th February 2024 @ 8:43 am
I never have or ever will boo a Vale player. Not even Exodus Geoghan! There is no lack of effort from Ryan , he puts in a shift . I cannot see how getting on his back is likely to improve him or the teams performance. We have to stick by Darren Moore and give him time to rebuild confidence in the side.
Tiller
29th February 2024 @ 11:18 am
I want him on the pitch. He’s struggled to score but has improved immensely in his contributions to attacking play.
I desperately want him to score for the team, for himself and the fans. Surely Darren can get him working better with the front players. It’s Flitcroft who over promised from you. Keep grafting Ryan.
Anthony Cheetham
29th February 2024 @ 12:25 pm
Flitcroft is the 1 that fans should be directing their depleasure too, until HE is replaced the Vale’s only way is down, Carol should have got rid of him 12 months ago,
Reg smith
29th February 2024 @ 1:41 pm
Wilson massey and loft should all be left out of the squad and youngsters blooded ready to bring us back up next season. For two seasons non of the above three have scored enough goals.they will not get better,the youngsters might.
derek ray
29th February 2024 @ 3:18 pm
Don’t think loft is a out and out striker good in the air, not on the ground could of been a lot better if we kept benning and Worrall, but we don’t have a good striker at the club nobody who can get you close to 20 a season. The booing and abuse will not help and a lot of so called support we have should stay away that’s even if they go
Stephen Swinnerton
29th February 2024 @ 4:46 pm
Loft isn’t a scorer of goals and I doubt there is a right provider that would ensure he scores goals,even in a good team.Not at this level, Non League possibly. Agreed abuse is not doing him any good. It’s not his fault he is in this position but blame Flitcroft for signing a none scoring striker, unbelievable that we chased him too. As regards not getting this sort of abuse at work you are right most people wouldn’t. The reason for that is if you were really awful at the job you do you would be sacked. Loft of course can always terminate his contract and leave if he feels it’s that bad but I’m sure he knows, leave to where?. Who would have him on the salary we are paying him. So he does have a choice.
Ian Mountfield
1st March 2024 @ 12:18 am
The pace at which Vale play at doesn’t give any of our so called forwards much chance of scoring. The amount of ball which we give away and the total lack of desire to close opponents down means they are allowed to find teammates and swing crosses into our box at will. The buck stops totally with Flitcroft, he’s put the recruitment team together he has signed the players and he has chosen and signed the managers, No player does not try, they would not have made it to this level if they didn’t try, the total lack of pace , goal scorers, and ability in the team is totally down to Flitcroft. And with this collection and combination of players we have most of whom are being asked to do jobs and play in positions they are either out of their depth in or unable to play in, Vale will struggle to stay in the league next season. Anyone wishing to voice their anger about the state of matters should aim them purely and totally at Flitcroft, because as he says , he is responsible for all football matters. Personally I would be very surprised if Vale manage to win another game this season and this will not be down to any one player’s fault,
Ken from North Wales
1st March 2024 @ 2:01 pm
In years gone by players like Tony Richards, little Bert, Terry Harkin would play thru the pain barrier and think nothing of it.The only pain we have at the moment is Flitcroft.