Rob Fielding says fitness will be key as to whether tying skipper Ben Garrity to a new two-year deal is judged as a success or not.
Rob Fielding writes…
Time will tell if Garrity can regain the form of the past but few would begrudge him the chance to attempt to do so. I am always cautious to be over-optimistic at this time of the year. There have been too many times when the club appeared to be on the right track in the summer only to derail in the season proper. But it’s a good start…
The last time Ben Garrity played in League Two he scored five times in thirty games and the club got promoted. In contrast, Garrity missed large chunks of last season’s relegation campaign ending with just 22 starts in the League and no goals. The comparison shows his increased impact in League Two. However, there’s an even starker comparison. In the last two seasons, the skipper has been hit with injuries. However, a fit Garrity struck twelve times and was player of the year as Darrell Clarke’s side was promoted from League Two in 2022.
And fitness, as most Port Vale fans will already know, is the key to Garrity’s influence. It’s pretty obvious – he can’t affect the game when on the sidelines but fit and busting a gut in midfield, he is an inspiration to team mates and a welcome source of goals from midfield.
In recent seasons, it could be argued that Garrity’s worth to the side has been his downfall. Too often he has been brought back from injury and, thanks to his all or nothing style, promptly picked up another knock. Vale fans will be keeping everything crossed that the summer break allows the 29 year-old to make a full recovery as a fit Garrity will surely be a key asset in League Two. It’s not just his contributions on the pitch either. Garrity will be chasing a hat-trick of promotions from League Two so he knows what has to be done. Furthermore his professionalism and commitment to the Valiants should also positively benefit the Vale dressing room.
The skipper’s new contract is the first transfer news from the club this summer. Time will tell if Garrity can regain the form of the past but few would begrudge him the chance to attempt to do so. I am always cautious to be over-optimistic at this time of the year. There have been too many times when the club appeared to be on the right track in the summer only to derail in the season proper. But it’s a good start. Let’s all hope for the skipper to stay fit and more welcome transfer news to appear over the close season.
When you think of a Gerrity at his best, you think of his energy, work rate and his goal scoring. All three have sadly been missing over the last two seasons. As you point out a fit Gerrity is unplayable at league two level, especially with his bursting past the forwards or attacking balls from set pieces. But how often do we see that nowadays. Ben has been very unlucky, not only has he continued to play while injured in a bid to help the club through a promotion season then a battle against relegation. But he has also been asked to play out of position, usually anchorman in midfield. Moore was a master at playing players out of position and clipping their wings. Gerrity is now 29 and if he can retain his fitness and stay fit, he has the experience to play a big part in another promotion push. I am a little concerned, because In Gerrity, Byers and Stockley we have three very big earners and we just aren’t sure what we are going to get from them.
Feel it’s taking a risk giving Garrity a 2 year contract when you look at his injury and goal scoring record over the last 2 seasons. I hope I’m proved wrong and he plays virtually every match and chips in with a few important goals.