Rob Fielding shares some thoughts on Port Vale’s summer including views on striker Ruari Paton and the goalkeeping situation.
Rob Fielding writes…
I don’t think there’s anything in this which will surprise any Vale supporters but here goes with my thoughts on recent Vale activity…
Paton returns with great attitude
I thought there was an interesting debate earlier in the summer on the future of Ruari Paton. This isn’t a case of “I told you so” (honest) but I argued that I thought the striker may be the sort of character to come back and fight for his place. I felt that Paton just hadn’t had the rub of the green. In the first part of the season, both Paton and Tolaj were not played in their best positions and suffered. Tolaj came good when played in a front two for the second part of the season, wheras Paton departed without the chance to enhance his reputation. At this point, some fans felt Paton’s future at the club was finished.
However, it looks like that is not the case with the Irishman working hard and impressing observers of Vale’s friendly games. It’s credit to the forward’s character that he’s come back, seemingly knuckled down and got on with the business of trying to impress the coaching staff.
It would certainly be a welcome boost to Darren Moore if Paton forces his way back into contention. Vale made a considerable investment in Paton’s potential and rather than having to dip into the transfer market, Vale could well find they already have a decent striking option in their ranks. The proof will be in the pudding, so to speak, so it will be interesting to see Paton’s impact when the season proper starts.
Goalkeeping gap remains
The extent of the injury to last season’s number one, Ben Amos, has not been officially revealed but it’s widely believed to be several months out. As a result, Vale have just Marko Marosi and rookie Arron Davies on their books. It would make sense if Vale wanted to loan out the promising Davies to continue his education and if so, that does leave a gap on the bench. With Marosi not a stranger to the treatment room in recent years, it does mean Vale need a back-up option so it’s no surprise to see “Trialist” in the goalkeeping position in recently friendlies. I don’t think there would be any surprise if Vale moved to add a new face before the start of the season.
Strength on the flanks
One position where Vale shouldn’t have any issues is the wingback positions. If you list everyone who can play on the flanks then you get (deep breath)… Jaheim Headley, Liam Gordon, Sam Hart, Jack Shorrock, Kyle John, Mitch Clark and Jordan Gabriel. Ben Lomax and James Plant have also played there too. That’s ten players for two places. Darren Moore has explained the decision to stack up players in those positions explaining that it is one of the hardest positions in the team and options are needed to cover for injury, different formations and so on. It certainly seems to be one of Vale’s strongest positions and it will be fascinating to see who Moore selects for the opening match.
Give players a chance
While we’re on the subject of who Darren Moore picks, here’s an appeal I make on a regular basis. I hope fans don’t rush to judgement on new signings. I remember Kyle John had a particularly shaky debut against Tranmere last season while Lorent Tolaj didn’t come to the fore till the second-half of the season. Yet both players were key to the club’s success last campaign. Those two show that you shouldn’t judge a player on one or two appearances but you should allow them the benefit of the doubt for ten or so games.
Youngster impressing on loan
Finally, I found it interesting to read some very positive comments on Vale youth teamer Logan Cousins in the forum. The youngster has been handed an extended scholarship by the club in the summer and seems to be doing everything he can to impress. Cousins is currently on loan at local non-league side Kidsgrove Athletic and earning rave reviews. One fan commented “He’s phenomenal. Wouldn’t surprise me if he makes his League One Vale debut before the end of the season.” Could he be the next talented youngster to progress to the senior ranks?
Ruari may hold Pattern to a Successful Season. ⚽️
Thanks Rob. Agreed on all fronts – Paton strikes me as a scrapper, and it’s good to have him back in the mix. I suspect 10 wing back options might be fewer by the start of the season though? And yes we do another keeper!
I think all Vale fans hope Paton makes another striker signing unnecessary.
Out some faith in the lad ,, I have a feeling he will come good
Sounds like a great assessment, and very encouraging build up to the new season. We’ll soon see for ourselves, so let’s hope it’s revelationary
I think the majority of Vale fans have a soft spot for Paton purely because he runs around and gives his all. But whether he succeeds or not depends totally on the manager. I’m not to hopeful for the lad basically because the of manager. I just don’t see Moore picking a system to play him in, and if he doesn’t this will result in him not getting any persistent game time yet again. As for the 10 wingbacks, you’ve only named 9, or have we signed another one I’ve not been told about? We do need another keeper, possibly a goal scoring midfielder seen as we’ve lost Chislett and Garrity appears to be struggling again, as well as another big strong Centre Forward if we are going to be dependent on wingbacks firing crosses into the oppositions box. However I think the only signing we will be making now is the usual 5 or 6 young loanees. I’m just hoping Moore doesn’t go back to his old ways of playing not to loose with numerous changes every game, but with the signing we’ve made and his comments about we need so many wingbacks to cope with injuries and SYSTEM changes it makes you wonder.