Explainer – sixteen Port Vale players are already under contract for next season

13 Comments

1. Splodger
   20th March 2024 @ 10:30 am

   Apart from Ripley, Garrity,Ojo and a few of the young up and coming lads the rest have proven they aren’t worthy of a vale shirt,I really think we will struggle in division 2 with this squad …I hope I’m proven wrong

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2. Marco polo
   20th March 2024 @ 11:15 am

   I Agree these isn’t much room for the Wholesale changes that are needed , but to bring in players with Leagues games / Experience ( Older ). Then along the more Promising youngsters we might have a chance of a Slighty better season less the last campaign.

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3. RichieLock
   20th March 2024 @ 12:01 pm

   5 or 6 who need moving on/paying up there unfortunately, most notibly Smith, Jones, Lowe, Sang and Loft! If that happens with those who are already ooc or leaving may give the manager some chance, otherwise we’re in for another hard slog even in league two!

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4. Booth
   20th March 2024 @ 12:35 pm

   I hope that salary reductions in the event of relegation is written into these long contracts. Any of those players who would be an asset in league 2 will be sold off for nominal fees just to get them off the wage bills. I see a very difficult spell for the football club approaching, much of which is ultimately a result of the failings of DF.

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5. RON
   20th March 2024 @ 2:52 pm

   I just don’t think we have enough quality in the squad to bounce right back with the likes of Chesterfield coming back and teams in lge 2 where we never do well to get a result also some of our better players probably won’t want to stay all in all we could be in lge 2 for a long spell hope not

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6. JB
   20th March 2024 @ 6:36 pm

   I’d be happy with Planty, Ripley, Garrity, Ojo & I would put Chizzle in amongst those worth keeping. Mitch Clark looks OK when fit. Shame about the rest having to stay – fantastic work Mr Flitcroft, not too difficult to get players and managers in if u promise them more than double the time they should expect.

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7. Richard
   20th March 2024 @ 6:55 pm

   For christ sake rip their contacts up & start again & let Darren pick his own players

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8. David Brown
   20th March 2024 @ 9:13 pm

   Perhaps I’m in a minority, but if and when relegation is confirmed I think the Vale will do well in League 2 next season. Yes, the club is hamstrung with so many of the current failing squad under contract. But, there will still be scope & opportunity to sign about six new players, and I hope Moore decides who they are. I’m also highly encouraged with the young talent of Walters, Dipepa, Lomax, Shorrock. I would have them as permanent members of the first team pool of about 25. With Moore’s management career win percentage track record, I think there will be enough for a play off challenge, albeit League 2.

9. Ian Eardley
   21st March 2024 @ 12:17 am

   Agree with Richard

10. Geoff Meadowcroft
    21st March 2024 @ 6:51 am

    This just shows the absolute crass performance of the Director of Football and his ally and confidante ,Chair of the Club
    The abject lack of due diligence by Shanahan is nothing short of mis management of the assets of the Club and she and Flitcroft should be struck off the Board and not be allowed to hold Directorships for the next 10 years
    This Club has been victim of usury of the highest order and the supporters have been totally disregarded in the pursuit of personal advancement of 2 most senior directors
    It is my view that legal advice should be taken as to what redress the Club may have to such travesty of justice and the farago of twisted fact issued by the Club in defence of the actions which have led to the likely failure to secure tenure of League One of the EFL

11. Ian Clarke
    21st March 2024 @ 10:48 am

    I’m guessing most players won’t sign for a club unless you offer them a 2 year deal. Not gonna uproot your family and move miles away for a 12 month contract. It’s a case of signing good players which is easier said than done. Helps if you’ve got a competitive budget. John Rudge being the best at it in my time. Gordon Lee the best at working with a shoestring budget. I suspect the budget was larger when we won promotion. When our destiny is sealed for this season, the fans attention will be fully focused as to who will oversee player recruitment for next season.

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12. Steve Tilsley
    22nd March 2024 @ 8:44 am

    I have seen all these players play well.
    Most I think are fully capable of winning games.
    I strongly think the problem has been over-reliance on a midfield built around young talented lads on an immediate recall basis and not recruiting in the right places when the time needed it (striker). Fault also lies with what really really does look like backroom stats and laptops influencing line ups, subs and letting too much if this “football by spreadsheet’ taking over hearts and minds on Match day. Hopefully DM can now free himself even more from any remaining DoF influence. I hope.

13. Terence Pegg
    22nd April 2024 @ 5:10 pm

    The good thing about the players in contract (if they want to stay) is we have a squad that has had at least 12 months together. Many are not League 1 standard but might do well in league 2? I felt that if we had a goal scoring striker this season we would have survived, but we relied on 2 midfielders to create and score goals. I doubt Loft will be pulling up the turf next season as he scored just a few for Rovers in L2 but he might surprise us. We do need to strengthen but our priority >>PRIORTY<< Carol… is a striker or 2!