Rob Fielding agrees that it was right for Andy Crosby to go but he wonders whether the club’s Director of Football should be considering his future too.
Rob Fielding writes…
I warmed to Andy Crosby, the person, during his time at Port Vale. Leaving the football to one side, Crosby struck as someone who was honest, caring and loyal. I wish him well in his future career.
It’s the second January transfer window in a row that Port Vale have left the window weaker than when it started…
Unfortunately, for the 50 year-old, he was ultimately judged on performances on the pitch and clearly those haven’t been good enough. I’ve not been sure about Crosby’s tactics or substitutions at times. His side could play nice football at times – but at others they could play dull football which meant the team dominated possession but rarely looked a goal threat.
At the end of the day, Crosby’s record wasn’t good enough and he had to go. However, the timing of the exit is odd, coming as it does at the end of the transfer window and hours before a vital home game while others, who may also be responsible for a poor season, remain at the club.
While Crosby marshalled events on the pitch, he wasn’t responsible for the current unbalanced, inexperienced and error-prone squad. I can understand why club owners, the Shanahans, without experience of the football side of things, wanted a Director of Football in the building. The role may make sense – it’s more a question of whether the right person is in the role.
After all, director of football David Flitcroft and his team are ultimately responsible for the transfer policy. They failed to deliver either the striker or left wingback Flitcroft promised at a fans forum and that has left Port Vale with a squad that looks in real danger of relegation. Furthermore, it’s the second January transfer window in a row that Port Vale have left the window weaker than when it started.
Flicroft may point to how the club’s academy and training facilities have been revamped, how the club have been able to attract top loan talent and the development of a long-term playing strategy. All good things but arguably the two key elements of his job are signing the right players and appointing the right manager.
With the departure of Crosby, a Flitcroft appointment, and the January transfer window debacle, many fans would argue that he has failed at both.
While I agree on a large portion of what is being said I never wanted Crosby in the 1st place but he’s not all to blame for the situation we are in neither is flitcroft although I much prefer him to go aswell the up shot of it is Carol & Kevin ain’t got sufficient money to move the club forward we are skint and I’m sure she didn’t realise how much you would need to run a successful club I am grateful for wot Carol & Kevin have done without them don’t think port vale would even exist but we are in need of investment to move the club forward
Yes he is the reason we have the players that we have
Every body knows who’s pulling the strings Crosby was just the puppet shameful.
He should do the right thing resign, jump before you’re pushed. Transfer windows crying out for a striker. Nothing to speak about loft pinching a wage a cripple from Oxford just hope willo stays fit. On the the new manager no one with connections to Vale please.
Totally agree with you, he has to go, get good manager in with freedom to bring his own players in, we need some aggressive, competitive players with100pc effort the ship has hit the iceberg!!!!!!!
Would have been a very interesting boardroom meeting when DF is telling you the fact that you have no attackers when he himself is in charge of recruitment is your fault .We have had a chronic shortage of scorers for several transfer windows and AC puts what he has got to play on the pitch knowing the limitations of the squad . I wonder if he blamed him for signing Loft when he paid good money for him .Two signings were needed in the summer and one went to the bigger clubs at Burton then Barrow ( Cole Stockton ) but they came to Vale Park for talks and left without signing —-we then had panic signings not carefully considered timely ones . Carol is great for the club but she allowed herself to be talked into allowing DF into a role of his choice when one old fashioned manager would have been better –one that picks his own players and stands by them . Stoke currently suffer from the same problem . Too many cooks spoiling the broth and inflated wage bill .DF does not have an inspiring track record .
All very well having top loans but the problem is they can be recalled anytime as was the case in January. which in reality has left us in a mess and having to rebuild again in mid season. These tactics by Flitcroft are actually ruining the club and taking us nowhere.
Simple fact is that Flitcroft was responsible for appointing Andy Crosby and even more responsible for the playing squad, with all its glaring inadequacies. Therefore in my eyes Flitcroft is even more culpable than Crosby and ought to have also gone. The fact that he hasn’t gives the impression that Crosby was thrown under the bus purely to save Flitcroft, not a good look.
I think we ought to be looking at an “old school” (not a self promotion I assure you) manager who will do everything that old school managers used to do before we started on the continental style of coaches and DOF’s. I am sure that they are still out there and would thrive on the full responsibility of the role. The question is, can we find him and could we attract him?
David Flitcroft is a slick salesman and like all slick salesmen is not to be trusted. He showed his true colours at Bury when he assured the supporters that they were not hurtling towards bankruptcy but towards the upper echelons of the football world. We all know how that played out. Should he be left in position at Vale Park it is my opinion that he will eventually take Port ale down the same route.
I would have much preferred to see DF leave before AC (but given the rest of Feb to improve or sacked). Who is getting the team ready for the O’s game? Surely this is leading to a disaster of epic proportions! I just hope the players rally around and put in some good performances. Shots on goal would be a good indicator of their intent/motivation. DF needs to exit now before it’s too late!
Hi all .
Pete Williams . I have been observing vale from a distance since the loss of Liz , l would like to say that the players and the tactics that have been played are all school boy stuff, l am absolutely bewildered how the Director of Football and the manager had been drawing their salaries. My advice to the owners is remove the Director of football and do not replace him. I would appoint a manager who has full control over the players and how they play on the pitch. The main point should be to stop the slide to the relegation area and stay in this league?. Some great work has been done by the owners off the pitch but the main reason for the supporters is what happens on the pitch . Good luck for the rest of the season l have got my fingers crossed.
Andy Crosby has been a scapegoat ,his boss Flitcroft should have been sacked, 3 transfer windows, very poor recruitment, Andy can only work with the tools in his hands.
Remember that Dave Flitcroft originally applied for the Manager’s job at the Vale, but ended up being appointed DOF. With his experience of previously managing Bury to promotion plus useful spells in charge at Mansfield and Swindon Town, will the Shanahan’s retain Flitcroft and ask him to now combine both roles ? This is effectively what John Rudge did so successfully in his long and successful tenure. Such a move is unlikely and would be unpopular, but a possibility if the club is looking to cut costs. Certainly lack of finance helps explain holes in recent recruitment and the increasing use of young Academy developed talent. Most probably Flitcroft will be retained to recruit a new Manager following on from Askey, Clarke, and Crosby. The argument of whether he deserves to stay will likely be decided by the relegation battle outcome.
flitcroft out!!
This man has single handedly ruined our Club , the careers of 2 managers, the livelihoods of a number of professional backroom staff,and the reputation of many professional footballers by his arrogant belief in the playing system he adopted and made the team and management accept and has lead to our current position in danger of being relegated to oblivion in L2
GET RID he has done nothing for this club,end of
Flitcroft is the problem to much attention on youngsters with the neglect of the first team it is time to get shut or we could be another bury
I agree completely. I feel a little sorry for Bing. He didn’t have control over incoming recruitment, especially in the area of strikers; he suffered good loan players going back to their clubs; he was subjected to important players being injured; they were also considering selling Uche without any replacement striker replacing him. The Academy team is obviously doing a great job, but the best have been stolen by larger clubs
Flitcroft should have been first out the door. Whoever comes in should have sole right to recruitment and playing style.
HE HAS GOT TO GO NOW, we have put up up with him taking a wage out of this club and producing nothing long enough,we don’t need a DOF, buy a striker instead think of the fans not a Flitcroft or even a Flit off
Hard to bring in the right players if there is a lack of money to sign them. There seemed to be a lot of money spent building a squad that won promotion from League 2 but there seems little to spend to keep the team in League1. The Premier League youngsters possibly come in at little or no cost to the club. Whose fault is it when Funso and Ben Garrity get injured and Alfie and Blaster get recalled. No ones really but our whole midfield is blown away. Can’t blame a manager or DoF for lack of finance or injuries.
We need 1 yes 1 MANGER not A DOF this manger can have the glory and can take the can, i am not happy with just Crosby going and being the fall guy, Flitcroft has shown his true colours, Snake in the grass get shut of him now GET SHUT OF Flitcroft now, i know you read this Carol, my family spend a lot of money with you and Port Vale, if he stays we go
Get that man OUT OF OUR CLUB !!