Rob Fielding says that while the club have finally made the right decision by removing Darren Moore, it may still be too late to keep their League One status.
Rob Fielding writes…
So, it was clear Moore needed to go but have they acted too late. At least the new manager will get all or part of the window to make some changes but that may not be enough. Ten points clear of safety means that arguably only an astonishing run of form can save Vale’s season…
So, that’s it then. The 5-0 thumping at Huddersfield proved to be the final straw for the Vale ownership and the Moore experiment is over.
It’s not great to say we told you so but right from the start there were concerns over the Moore appointment. There was the lack of an interview process with Moore seemingly handed the role within days of him being linked, there was the influence of David Flitcroft who recommended Moore and there was the five year contract. Surely, long contracts are to reward success not for a newcomer to the role…
Nevertheless, after failing to keep the side up in 2023-24 (which arguably would have been beyond most people’s ability) Moore did at least win promotion last season – although there are several caveats. Vale compiled an expensive, high quality squad in the summer and through poor tactics and rotation nearly messed up what should have been an odds-on promotion. It was only when Moore decided to stick with the same eleven for more than one match and allowed partnerships (particularly upfront) to develop that things clicked.
You’d think Moore would have learnt the lessons but he didn’t. There was another huge influx of players this summer but not many were of sufficient quality to improve the squad. There was a clear imbalance too – loads of wingbacks but few centre-halves, for instance. More worryingly, Moore continued with his scattergun tactics. Vale have already played more than thirty players in the League – and that includes three goalkeepers, multiple formations and so on. As a result, Vale have looked a poor League One outfit.
So, it was clear Moore needed to go but have they acted too late. At least the new manager will get all or part of the window to make some changes but that may not be enough. Ten points clear of safety means that arguably only an astonishing run of form can save Vale’s season. And if the inevitable happens, yet another summer of unrest follows as the Valiants will need to sort out their bloated squad – something that inevitably will cost a lot of money.
It goes without saying that Vale need to get this next appointment right. There should be no five year contracts this time around. I would say the new manager needs to be someone with experience, who has a clear football plan and philosophy (we’ve had enough of rotation thanks) and if they happen to have “miracle worker” on their CV that will do nicely too.
Looking forward, not Backwards.
We acted too late, it’s a shame. Have to focus on a big point push after Moore’ sacking. Hopefully though we do good. UPTV
Problem we have is the owners have given Moore so much time to turn it around, it has left the incoming manager very little chance of staying up. And how many decent managers want to manage in league two ?
The club and its fan base needs to heal, after last seasons highs to this seasons lows, it’s very debatable to think we can secure enough points to survive this season, but I’m sure they will give it a go, clearly things have gone on in the dressing room that we are not privy to but a line needs to be drawn under it, so let’s get behind the team and whatever happens from here on in, no abuse to the board please, they know they have got it wrong and it will have personally cost them a lot of money, I’m sure the decisions they made were all in good faith and they do there upmost to put things right…. UTV
@Another Shropshire Valiant
I’d make two points to your comments:
1. Without being in the heads of the owners, how are you sure they know they got it wrong? This seems a repeat of the Crosby sacking to me (i.e. they left it too late) and that suggests they may not have learnt from that episode.
2. While abuse is clearly wrong, I don’t think any owner of any club should be immune from constructive criticism especially if it seems that (like point one) they are not learning. It’s not the job of the fanbase to abuse owners but it is their job to hold them to account if they think decisions are continually wrong.
J
C. Is now available from miracles are us!
That does about cover vales failings and yes will take a miracle to stay in Div 1
I think we will find out what damage has been done tonight, I also think the Vale players will be as relieved that Mr Moore has gone, It’s no good saying we are down we are not down, we will fight until the end of the season fans and players, YOU CAN DO THIS VALE.YOU CAN DO IT.