Rob Fielding has changed his mind on veteran Onel Hernandez, who seems to be pushing for a new deal with the club. Here are his thoughts.
Rob Fielding writes…
Hernandez on track for contract offer?
Given Vale’s form, we perhaps have to be grateful for small things. One of them is the impact of veteran Onel Hernandez. It may only be bursts of skill and definitely not ninety minute impact but it’s still good to see. I must admit I thought Hernandez was a poor signing when he came. In his initial games, he was static and barely affected any aspect of the game.
It turns out that was probably due to the player’s absence of fitness having not played this season. As his fitness has returned so has his impact. And what an impact that can be at times. On Saturday. one move completely bamboozled former Valiant Ronan Curtis. I remember one comment from a Vale fan that Hernandez could “destroy some League Two defenders” and I tend to agree. With him having an impact now what chance he’s signed up as an “impact player” for next season. The player himself has inidicated he wants to stay and the prospect of a fit Hernandez let loose in League Two is an appealing one.
Solid Hall also boosts his chances
Another player who will have done his chances of a new contract no harm is Connor Hall. Hall is a more well-known performer than Hernandez and clearly a different type of player to Hernandez. However, he has qualities that would work in League Two.
Hall is not flawless and can be caught out at times in League One. However, at League Two he is a double promotion winner. Furthermore, he offers balance to the back with his left foot. He was clearly missed on Saturday when he was forced to leave the pitch and I think his experience at the back will be important as Vale rebuild next season.
Loan woes
Upfront Martin Sherif put in another lack lustre display. It may be harsh to criticise a teenager but the facts are that Vale’s goal threat this season has been appalling. Sherif himself has one goal from seventeen appearances – so conceivably even if he had played every game this season he’s be on four goals. It’s a similar situation with fellow loanee Dejaune Brown (three goals in thirty six games).
Vale clearly need to improve up front next season and arguably, given their lack of success in recent seasons, the loan market is not the way to bolster the forward line-up.
Vale limping to the finish line
The fixture backlog seems to have taken its toll on this Vale side. While it was always optimistic to expect positive results against the likes of Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle away, the performances have been pretty limp and insipid. Unforced errors and misdirected passes have littered the games. It seems that rather than ending the season with heads held high, Vale are limping to the finish line. Arguably the end of the season cannot come soon enough.
What do you reckon? Valid points or a load of rubbish. Post a comment below.
Give the lad ago, he could feed a decent striker, he also puts a bit of life into the team, he could be a bonus in the lower division.
Agreed, even when he is not 100% fit and playing out of possion he is still able to threaten seasoned league one players, league two he would be great
I don’t think he should be offered a contract I feel he stands out because the quality of many of the players I’m sorry to say is poor.
There’s no substitute for pure skill, and Hernandez has that in abundance. His ability on the ball is a delight to see, a throwback to old fashioned wingers who used to feature in most teams. Well worth a contract extension, especially with the benefit of a full pre season’s training. An orthodox flank player like Hernandez can imprive the shape of attacking options, and stretch opponents.
Onel Hernandez has turned into a player that fills me full of positive expectation. Assuming he is medically fit and able then I feel he is just the sort of player and personality that we need in our battles next season. If we are unable to secure Onel on at least a 1 year contract for the 2026/27 season then I have to question how ambitious on the park we as a club we are. UTV.