Opinion: Port Vale retained list shows areas to strengthen as well as scale of the task

Rob Fielding says the make-up of the squad indicates at what areas require prioritisation but it may not be a quick fix.

Rob Fielding writes…

A lot of Port Vale fans have said that this summer needs a big rebuilding project and boy has Jon Brady got one. Reshaping Darren Moore’s bloated and unbalanced squad may even take more than one window to fix.

Reshaping Darren Moore’s bloated and unbalanced squad may even take more than one window to fix…

So, firstly, let’s look at the released players. I don’t think there’s too many surprises there. Arguably only Ben Heneghan and Funso Ojo’s departures raise eyebrows and can both be explained. Heneghan is approaching the veteran stage and has been hit with injuries. Ojo plays in Vale’s most well-stocked position and is very much a veteran. Presuming Ben Garrity signs a new deal (and I very much hope he does) then I can see the logic in releasing Ojo.

I wondered what Brady may do with the likes of Ryan Croasdale, Jayden Stockley and Connor Hall – and it turns out they already have extensions that have kicked in. The addition of the trio means Vale have a whopping nineteen players still under contract which prompts me to repeat an earlier comment – sorting out Darren Moore’s squad may take more than one window.

Brady has acted by transfer-listing four of the nineteen – and of those it looks like Ruari Paton may be the most obvious one to be quickly snapped up. The other three may be more difficult to shift. It’s a similar story elsewhere. At the risk of sounding brutal, George Byers should have made a bigger impact than three goals in 51 games across two seasons. He’s on a big wage and has picked up numerous injuries. With a central midfield of Ryan Croasdale, Rhys Walters and probably Ben Garrity next season, would Byers be in Brady’s plans for League Two if it weren’t for the fact that Moore signed him on those hefty wages and a long contract? The jury would be out.

Moore’s transfer business also means Vale have three left wingbacks/leftbacks in Liam Gordon, Jaheim Headley and Jack Shorrock with presumably only one able to play at a time. Again, this mess make take more than one window to sort out and before Brady can have a squad he truly feels is his own.

Again, this mess make take more than one window to sort out and before Brady can have a squad he truly feels is his own…

So, what should be the priorities for the manager? He’s already made one clear and his words on the subject were music to my ears. In terms of attacking power, Paton is set to leave, Stockley is a valuable asset (more on him below) while Waine, to me, is an in-form starter or otherwise an impact sub. It’s clearly not enough. Brady has suggested he wants to prioritise hungry talent on their way up. If he can match his words with deeds it will be very savvy business. After all, former Aldershot man Lorent Tolaj remains one of Moore’s best signings. On that note, it’s worth remembering that Tolaj found form when paired with the experienced Stockley. If Brady does bring in young talent, the veteran targetman may prove an invaluable asset in being played alongside a youngster upfront and in the process developing the younger player’s game.

At least Brady already has a selection of players upfront to pick from. In goal he has transfer-listed Marko Marosi and that’s it. So, clearly a new first-choice keeper (and possibly his back-up) are also key requirements. I wasn’t a fan of Joe Gauci. He may have a decent career ahead of him but he seemed to be learning on the job at times and that’s not what the Vale defence needs behind them. They need a confident (and competent) presence behind them. I’d be very happy with an experienced reliable keeper being brought it – but that may be far easier to say than to actually do. I hope it’s possible.

Where else could Vale strengthen? Central midfield and the left flank seem well stocked but Brady could probably do with one more on the right (as Mitch Clark has left, Kyle John may be employed in a central role and Jordan Gabriel has a chequered injury record) plus I’d love him to add a defender in a similar mode to his attacking wish-list – that is a youngster on the way up to challenge the more established duo of Connor Hall and Cameron Humphreys.

The key test has now arrived for Brady. He was handed a hospital pass in the last window. What decent player would want to sign for (and commit their long-term future to) a club so far adrift? The result was the best he could get was loans and a few free agents. He now has the bonds partially (because as I keep saying this may take more than one window to solve) loosened and a chance to stamp his personality on the side as well as show his transfer acumen.

If his deeds can match his words… If he can produce a more well-rounded squad… If he can remove players he doesn’t want… If he introduce a more settled formation and line-up… If he can bring confidence back to his players… then he may start turning around Vale’s fortunes. But like I keep saying, it may take more than this single window for all of that to happen and patience may be required…