Pre-season views: Paton shows the right spirit, competition on flanks and goalkeeping gap…
Rob Fielding shares some thoughts on Port Vale’s summer including views on striker Ruari Paton and the goalkeeping situation.
Features
The football regulator isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a welcome step in the right direction
Rob Fielding says- ignore the self-serving complaints from the Premier League, the new football regulator bill will help serve fans’ interests better.
Czech mates – Port Vale and Czechoslovakia, a special relationship
In the 1960’s Port Vale FC embarked on two tours of Czechoslovakia and also hosted a home friendly against the national side, but what prompted this close relationship between Port Vale and Czechoslovakia?
Five of the best: surprisingly good Port Vale seasons
In the second of a double header, after looking at disappointments, we present a list of Port Vale seasons which were a surprising success.
Five of the best (worst): surprisingly poor Port Vale seasons
In the first of a double header, we present a list of Port Vale seasons which were a let down. But don’t worry, we’ll also have a feature on surprisingly good Port Vale seasons too.
Opinion: the Premier League ditched cup replays but are happy to play in a meaningless summer borefest
Rob Fielding says that the revamped FIFA Club World Cup competition shows the hypocrisy, the greed and the self-serving nature of the game’s elite.
Five of the best: Port Vale goalkeepers who played prior to WW2
We take a look at what we consider to be five of the best goalkeepers to appear in a Port Vale shirt prior to the outbreak of WW2 in 1939.
Five of the best: brilliant Port Vale debuts
Not all Vale debuts get off to the perfect start but here are five which did including a remarkable performance by little-known Fred Mitcheson.
Clippings: Photoshoots of Port Vale new signings over the years
We take a look through our archive at some posed photoshoots to celebrate new Port Vale signings over the years…
Five of the best: follically challenged Port Vale players
Inspired by a recent forum discussion, we take a look at five Port Vale heroes known more for their contributions on the pitch than their flowing locks…
Five of the best – Port Vale players who could have been great but for injury…
Not all Port Vale careers go to plan. In this “five of the best” feature we look at five players where their future could have been markedly different if they’d not picked up injuries…
After the retained list, where do Port Vale need to strengthen?
Rob Fielding takes a look at where he thinks Port Vale will need to strengthen following the release of the retained list.
Port Vale summer transfer activity – some thoughts on what may happen
Here’s some thoughts on who may leave and who may come into the Port Vale squad over the summer months.
Opinion: the Port Vale road to promotion may have been bumpy at times but the end result deserves an awful lot of praise
Rob Fielding says the promotion campaign “wasn’t flawless” but there were “certainly a lot of positives” after Port Vale returned to League One.
Opinion: Walters has been a revelation after his first-team return
Rob Fielding writes in praise of midfielder Rhys Walters, who has made an impressive return to Vale first-team action.
Opinion: play your best players in the best formation
Rob Fielding says the manager has to take the lion’s share of the blame for Tuesday’s defeat to Barrow.
Three thoughts after Port Vale 2-1 Salford City – a win’s a win for understrength Valiants
Rob Fielding shares some thoughts after an injury-hit Port Vale side’s battling 2-1 home win over Salford City.
Opinion: is Darren Moore reaping the rewards of a more settled starting eleven?
Rob Fielding says a change to a more consistent starting eleven has paid dividends for under pressure Port Vale manager Darren Moore.
Opinion: did Port Vale make a mistake by not adding an experienced forward in January?
Rob Fielding is concerned at the lack of experienced forward options especially with Jayden Stockley picking up an injury recently.
Opinion: have Port Vale not learnt the lesson of lengthy contracts?
Rob Fielding says that lengthy contracts could hinder Vale’s transfer business for a second summer in a row as he asks – have the club not learnt the lessons of the Flitcroft era?
Five thoughts after the win over Accrington – forward pair gel, rough ref, wingback cover needed…
Rob Fielding looks at what are largely positives after Port Vale’s ten men secure a valuable three points at home to Accrington.
Five of the best: successful Port Vale returns after a loan spell
This feature is written in light of Ruari Paton’s loan move to Dundee United. The striker is contracted until 2027 and Darren Moore says the striker remains in his “long-term plans”. We look at other players who have departed on loan and returned to become key Vale players…
Five thoughts after Vale’s win over Newport: classy Clark, strength on the bench and a striking contrast
Rob Fielding shares his thoughts after Vale’s win over Newport County with both wingbacks coming in for praise…
What could happen at Vale Park during the January transfer window?
OVF explores some of the January options for the club – from what to do with loanees, forward options and even the future of the manager…
Opinion: the pressure is building on Darren Moore after awful Port Vale slump
Rob Fielding says a scenario which seemed ridiculous just a few weeks ago is now being considered more seriously after Vale’s dreadful slump in form.
Opinion: no-one’s perfect but talk of replacing Darren Moore right now is ridiculous
Rob Fielding says that while Port Vale manager Darren Moore should not be except from criticism, talk of replacing him is ridiculous.