It’s arguably one of the biggest decisions of recent years as manager Darrell Clarke rebuilds the Port Vale squad in the summer. In this series, we’ll look at the side position-by-position and ask you to vote on who you think should stay and who should be released.
The Goalkeepers
The Background
In the summer, then manager John Askey announced his intention to bring in a credible competitor to Scott Brown after releasing Jonny Maddison. After a number of trials, Askey somewhat surprisingly opted for 32 year-old Dino Visser rather than a younger candidate. Brown continued to be the club’s regular custodian during the season despite a dip in form as the side plunged down the Leagues. In recent games, Brown has returned to his consistent best. To be fair to Visser, he has also impressed given his chance in the cup games, but the South African picked up a season-ending injury so Vale were forced to deregister him and bring in former Man City youngster Tom Scott until the end of the season. All three players are out of contract in the summer.
The Stats
- Scott Brown: 44 appearances / out of contract in the summer
- Dino Visser: 6 appearances / out of contract in the summer
- Tom Scott: 0 appearances / out of contract in the summer
Stats as of 27th April 2021
The Players
Scott Brown
The normally reliable veteran will be 36 years of age next season. The big question is simply whether he can continue to display the same levels of application and skill as he gets older. If he can then there’s really no reason not to maintain him as the club’s number one. Brown has again shown his worth this season with some astonishing saves and seems to have put a short run of poor form well and truly behind him. However, even if Brown is kept on for another season as the club’s number one, Vale need to come up with a succession plan. The signing of 32 year-old Visser raised eyebrows as he, himself was surely not a long-term option either. With squad limits in place, it would not be surprising if Vale decide that Brown is first-choice and perhaps bring a promising youngster brought in as the long-term replacement.
Status: Out of contract in the summer
OVF decision: Keep
You decide:
Dino Visser
Some eyebrows were raised when Vale opted for a 32 year-old as back-up to veteran Brown, but despite limited opportunities arguably Visser has done little wrong. He’s looked calm and assured in the games he’s played but he was unfortunate to pick up an injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season. With League squad limits, Port Vale may look for a younger keeper as back-up if they do hold onto Scott Brown and sadly for the South African, that would see him exit the club. It’s arguably a harsh decision but let’s hope that if he does leave the amiable keeper finds a new club quickly.
Status: Out of contract in the summer
OVF decision: Reluctantly leave
You decide:
Tom Scott
The youngster was signed as cover for the injured Visser. The decision on whether he should be retained is arguably one for the coaches rather than the fans as Scott hasn’t seen any action so far this season. The key question is whether he has enough potential to be Scott Brown’s long-term successor or whether his signing was simply a short-term one in order to see Vale through to the end of the season.
Status: Out of contract in the summer
OVF decision: We really can’t say
You decide:
More votes on the 2021 retained list
- Retained list 2021: which keepers should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which central defenders should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which full-backs should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which central midfielders should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which wingers should stay?
- Retained list 2021: which strikers should stay?
I think we should play Tom Scott for the remaining games to have a look at him.
@John I would agree with that if they are still undecided on him. Two games out isn’t going to change any minds on Scott Brown who has been back to his best recently but it would give them the chance to assess Scott’s potential.
32 is not old for a goalkeeper and neither is 36. Why rely on an unknown and untried youngster? Even if Scott does well if he is played in the last 2 games, would be a gamble
I think we need an experienced keeper and keep Scott as back up and competion, a keeper who is much quicker of his line and better distribution, Scott has finished the season really well making some great saves but he isn’t getting any younger.
Get Sam Johnstone back from Halifax
Peter Shilton played for England aged 40 at the 1990 World Cup. I don’t think he should have personally, but Bobby Robson who certainly knows his stuff selected him. So if fitness, strength and agility are preserved and with every growing experience Brown has another couple of years in him?