As life in EFL League Two becomes a reality, Port Vale manager Darren Moore looks set to begin this new stage in the club’s history without a few players who were instrumental in its unsuccessful fight against League One relegation over the past season.
With regular first-teamers Gavin Massey and James Wilson already released, and veteran backup goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler joining them, there will likely be other departures among the 16 remaining contracted Port Vale players before the new season kicks off.
At this stage, without some valuable additions to the squad, a betting person would be wary about backing The Valiants for an immediate return to League One but this could all change by the time the betting at the top online bookmakers in the UK opens for the new season. A lot will depend on which of the existing top Port Vale playing staff the club can hold on to for 2024/25.
As a sports betting Valiants fan, you’ll want to proceed with caution in the interim, as Moore formulate his plans and targets for the upcoming campaign. When the betting does open, first consider protecting yourself and your wagers by choosing regulated, safer gambling options in your activities, which is where Safest Betting Sites comes in.
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But what are Port Vale’s Needs for the New Season? We’ll highlight a few points we believe will help Darren Moore improve The Valiants’ fortunes in the 2024/25 EPL League Two season.
Keep Garrity and Chislett
With 19 League One goals between them in 2023/24, attacking midfielders Ben Garrity and Ethan Chislett were Port Vale’s main source of goals throughout the campaign. Both players filled a striking role at times in the absence of a regular goalscoring striker, forming the attacking engine room along with the departing Gavin Massey.
Chislett ended the season with seven assists, a figure that will only improve in League Two with the addition of a proven goalscorer, while Garrity is an authoritative presence on the field, having stood in as skipper on a few occasions already.
With both players in their mid-twenties, the biggest problem for the Port Vale hierarchy may be keeping them. Both Garrity’s and Chislett’s market values are around £300,000 and, combined with their reputations as proven League One performers in a losing cause, will make them targets for existing League One or even Championship clubs during the transfer window.
Port Vale must do its utmost to hold on to Garrity and Chislett while adding a reliable striking option. While there are ongoing discussions about Uche Ikpeazu’s future, there remain doubts about whether his poor goalscoring form last season, with only a single goal in 20 league outings, will markedly improve in a lower division. None of the other existing forward options have shown otherwise either, although Josh Thomas has shown potential.
Add Experience to the Squad
At 35, Jayson Leutwiler is the oldest player in the Port Vale dressing room by three years. Now that he’s leaving the club, 32-year-old midfielders Funso Ojo and Jason Lowe take over that mantle, with only two other squad members over 30.
With a string of talented youngsters including James Plant, Alfie Devine and Reece Walters not yet 20, and the promising Baylee Dipepa and Jack Shorrock only 17, the addition of some experienced veterans will help with their future development.
With talented and proven journeyman strikers Cameron Jerome (37), Dwight Gayle (34), Lyle Taylor (34), Martyn Waghorn (34) and Josh Magennis (33) set to leave their League One clubs soon, there are several options available to Port Vale to improve their goalscoring dilemma and add some valuable experience in the dressing room.
Replacing Gavin Massey on the right wing is also essential, so a short-term, potentially available option like free agent Callum McManaman (33) could be worth investigating. On the left side, Scott Sinclair (35) may be convinced to move down a division at this stage of a sterling career.
Solidify the Defence
Club captain Nathan Smith, at 28, is cemented as a starter in the centre of The Valiants’ defence, but he needs a more reliable partner alongside him. Port Vale conceded 74 League One goals in 2023/24, placing the team last but one defensively. With the lack of goals upfront, this figure became even more of a problem.
Although there are a few reliable and experienced defensive options becoming available on free transfers from League One clubs, Moore may do well to consider looking at some existing League Two options who are out of contract in the summer.
For example, Irish international Warren O’Hora (25) will depart Milton Keynes Dons after a stellar 2023/24 campaign, while the versatile young Welshman Zac Williams (20), who is leaving Crewe Alexandra, would be an immediate option next to Smith in central defence. An added benefit of both of these footballers is that they can both score goals from central defence.
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