Five thoughts after the Crewe game – would it have been better to persist with Stockley after Harper’s red card?

Central midfield still a concern

You can see the logic in Darren Moore bringing in Rakeem Harper. In terms of central midfield options, Moore had George Byers injured, captain Ben Garrity injured and Ryan Croasdale playing through a knock. It left the fit midfield options as veteran Jason Lowe, Tom Sang or Ethan Chislett. It’s no surprise that Moore was keen to add a physical presence in Harper. However, the cover player is now suspended which takes Vale back to square one. It’s encouraging that Byers is close to a return and Vale must also be keeping their fingers crossed that Croasdale can keep soldiering on. In that respect, the fact that Vale’s next game isn’t until the 3rd December is welcome too.

Ripley playing well and with a smile once again

It was great to see Connor Ripley playing so well again and seemingly enjoying the challenge. The giant keeper had a rocky start to the season but has proven his quality in recent weeks. Some of his saves on Monday were top class and he was arguably unlucky not to have a clean sheet as a reward for his efforts. For me, after years of underwhelming goalkeepers, Ripley remains somewhat under appreciated. He has had the odd dip in form and isn’t perfect but the good times massively outweigh the bad and I think he’s clearly the best keeper since Scott Brown.

Were subs the right call?

It’s with the benefit of hindsight but maybe with different substitions this could have been a different result? For me, Rakeem Harper looked short of match fitness and that probably contributed to his late challenge. Perhaps with Harper already booked, half-time may have been the time to replace him? However, I can understand why this didn’t happen. As I’ve already mentioned, Vale’s options in central midfield were pretty limited. There was Jason Lowe on the bench but would he have been up to 45 minutes of a key game? Tom Sang could have been pushed forward but bringing Ben Heneghan into the defence to allow Sang to move up would have meant a slow Vale back three against a pacy Crewe attack. Ethan Chislett could have dropped back but was impressing further forward.

Likewise, upfront it may have been better to persist with Jayden Stockley rather than bring on Antwoine Hackford. I can see the logic in bringing on the pacy Hackford for a counter attacking style. However, Stockley could have contributed to the ten men effort both upfront, with his excellent hold-up play and at the back where his presence can help the defenders. In that respect Stockley fills two positions rather than Hackford’s one. I realise Vale may be concerned about the big man’s fitness but with the next game some eight days away surely he could have lasted the full ninety minutes on Monday?

While we’re on the subject of Stockley… for me, he’s the one irreplaceable player in the team right now. Unlike last season, we have cover pretty much everywhere but the one like-for-like cover we don’t have is a similar hold-up player to Stockley. Fellow forwards Ruari Paton, Lorent Tolaj and Antwoine Hackford all have their own qualities but none of them replicates Stockley’s role. If a similar player is available in January then someone to cover for Stockley may be a great move as Vale look a different team with a physical presence up top.

Shorrock a real positive

Reading the posts on the forum there’s a real air of disappointment among some Vale fans over the result. However, it’s worth remembering that Vale are still top, made Crewe battle till the last minute despite being a man down and have a number of key performers out. And while we’re on the positives a word for the excellent performance of youngster Jack Shorrock. The teenager has admitted he feels more a part of the team this season and he looked the part on Monday. he’s shown glimpses in past seasons but this campaign his performances have been more sustained and consistent. Meanwhile, his strike was a stunner and a real reminder of his rich talent. He may be vastly inexperienced and still very young but the likes of Sam Hart, Kyle John and Conor Grant will all know they will face a fierce battle with Shorrock for the left wingback slot. It’s also worth remembering that Shorrock signed a three year deal this year so if bigger clubs come calling, he could net Vale a substantial fee.

Don’t make Harper the boo boy!

One area of concern for me is that Vale fans don’t have a designated boo boy this season. Conor Grant has bounced back from last season, Jason Lowe fulfils a useful utility role and the team is doing really well so there’s no-one to castigate and blame for everything. My worry now is that Rakeem Harper will take up that role for some. It’s clear that his red card on Monday cost Vale the game but please let’s not hold that against him. For me, the mitigating factor was Harper wasn’t matchfit and was slow with the tackle. Furthermore, he showed his quality before that. I felt he added height and muscle to the midfield – something that the likes of Byers, Garrity and Chislett don’t bring to the same extent. He also covered a lot of ground and played some decent balls. So, there is a decent player in there when fit. Personally, I always think a player needs at least half a dozen games before it’s time to pass judgement – sadly I think some will pass theirs on the basis of forty nine minutes… I hope I’m wrong!

What do you think? Disagree or agree? Post a comment below…