robf

Flipping heck that's quick. It felt like a bad decision at the time but six games! Is Deeney now free to come to Vale as a player as some wanted in the summer?

No don't say any more - as I will remove any more references to this, it's gone on enough and is danger of taking this thread off topic I will remind you that: Our moderation decisions are not a subject of debate. With due respect it's not your decision to make. It's mine. In my opinion (and as site owner/bill payer my decision is final) it was clearly offensive. That was clearly the same for the members who read it and reported it too A reminder. If anyone has a question about site moderation in the future, please do message myself or a member of the team so that threads do not go off topic. You are very welcome on here to discuss Vale matters but you have also all agreed to our terms and conditions and if you can't follow them, we will remove your access. Keep to the rules and all will be fine. Now, having spent time this evening dealing with this when I have other things to do, that's it. An offensive post was removed. Matter closed. Any more posts on this will be deleted. As you were.

You're wrong as they clearly were because I got multiple people reporting that post. If you really need telling then mocking a dead child is offensive you know! I repeat please follow the rules. I'm not here to debate my decisions. If anyone can't follow them then I will remove them. If you do follow them then you are very welcome.

Other people may be offended though. A polite reminder that everyone on here agreed to abide to our forum rules which ask for no objectionable posts. If you don't want to follow the rules then please be aware that persistent offenders could be banned.

Crosby says there's interest in Uche (and other players) but suggests there's no formal offer yet. 5 mins, 50 secs into this...

Isn't he at Wycombe? Looking at their press, he was praised by the manager a few days ago too. Seems odd for them promptly let him go... Matt Bloomfield's message to Dale Taylor after Wycombe's draw versus Lincoln WWW.BUCKSFREEPRESS.CO.UK

Who's potentially out there if Ikpeazu goes? Bradford seem to have put a big price tag on Jake Young, so just wondering if anyone has heard any other names linked?

Uche's also played in Turkey, Scotland and Wales. In terms of English clubs alone, he's had spells with us, Cambridge, Blackpool and Middlesbrough. All over the place. I'm not sure on that evidence he has any geographical preference. However, I suspect he does have a preference for contract length and wages (which is fair enough).

Interesting viewpoint from a Charlton blog. Seems there is increasing desperation there to add a striker: Andy Scott is a drunken sailor | Albury Addick ALBURYADDICK.WORDPRESS.COM

An injured Garrity too. We wouldn't even be able to push him upfront as before.

Well, we could be seeing one of these: We sign a striker in October and sell him in January for a decent fee, bringing in a replacement, and that looks like good business. On the flip side, allowing him to move for next to nothing when we could have kept him till the end of the season and having no replacement would be bad business. So, on that logic it's all about: 1) Will we get a bigger than expected fee (perhaps because JCH's deal to Charlton has stalled and they need a replacement)? Obviously I don't think we'd be getting £500k (the fee agreed for JCH) for Uche but a fee in the region of say £100k+ would be handy for someone who's only been here for months. Will Charlton be tempted to pay a bit over the odds in their desperation to get a striker? If so, that fee could put a dent in Bradford's asking price for Jake Young and make that move more realistic. 2) Have we got a good replacement lined up? If we haven't it would seem extremely short-sighted to let him go now especially if it's only for a small fee.

@Fosse69 is right. Looking at the reports, Clarke-Harris' move to Charlton has reportedly stalled as the player has rejected two contract offers. Perhaps Uche is Charlton's back-up option if JCH doesn't happen? The reports also say the JCH fee is £500k, not £580k as mentioned earlier on this thread. Just a moment... WWW.LONDONWORLD.COM

I think that IF the story is true (and that's a big if) then it will be down to what Vale get for Uche that would determine if he goes or not. I would hope the approach will be - we don't have to sell him now and clubs will need to be prepared to pay over the odds if they want him.

Hmmm... You're complaining that the club has a media team that plans questions for interviews in advance? You're complaining that they've come up with a idea of using some of interview answers as good PR to encourage other loanees to select the club? You're complaining about a video clip that you really don't have to watch if you don't want to? Bizarre. It's the official club channel. If you want unfiltered, spontaneous, not toeing the party line Vale content there's podcasts, newsletters and vlogs you can get that sort of content. But it's not the club's job to do it - it's surely their job to produce professional content that portrays the club in a good light. It seems downright odd to criticise the media team for doing a professional job.

Was it? I must have missed that. I've seen plenty of football "experts" saying that business in January is difficult because it's a seller's market. The price for Jake Young by Bradford is a good example - they don't need to sell him so they are asking a lot (Carlisle pulled out today saying it was too much and they've got new owners splashing the cash). I don't think that's the case in the summer though. I think it's different in the summer due to retained lists, so there's many more free agents to choose from than there is in January. So, for me, I don't think the Vale are in a position (or particularly need to) pay over the odds right now. I reckon it's likely to be one in/one out. Loans to replace the departed loans. Perhaps no permanent additions but if there is, one to replace the departed Conlon (and perhaps two if Cass goes).

I would agree to some extent but this summer we also brought in Ripley and Chislett. Both are Port Vale players, not loans - both are improvements on what we used to have in those positions. I realise it's only two players but it's still two, good, permanent signings. That's a small progression, I would argue. I would imagine that in the long-term, the club would also hope to get another couple (at least) of "James Plants" to make the switch from youth ranks to regular first team. I would imagine Shorrock, Lomax, Dipepa and Walters (if he stays) are at the top of the list. Giving them all game time this season is also potentially progression if it helps some of them make the step up. I do get (and agree) with the point that we need to be self-sufficient. For me, loans need to compliment the squad not be the backbone. However, this is also the January window when lots of people say it's not a buyers market so clubs put inflated prices on players. So, if Vale simply rotate the loan players (out of necessity due to recalls) it's possibly a more sensible option than paying over the odds.

Yep, my post was more to point out that he was missing in people's lists of central midfield options rather than saying he should be first choice. I think he's a useful option off the bench, if we're trying to close out a game for instance.

I guess Lowe could move into central midfield as well.

Devine has been linked with a move to Plymouth now: Alfie Devine recalled from Port Vale, set for Championship move - Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News WWW.SPURS-WEB.COM

There's this report here. I know it's just a rumour at the moment, but it would be a bit worrying if signed given that injury record during the first half of the season... Why Liverpool loanee still hasn't debuted for his new club WWW.THISISANFIELD.COM

Thought I'd post this as he was one of the summer rumours: Lyle Taylor: Cambridge United sign former Wycombe Wanderers striker for rest of season - BBC Sport WWW.BBC.CO.UK

I think with Wilson it's really important there is some cover in the ranks. Not only do we know he can be out injured for spells but I would imagine the club would like the option to take him off if we've got games in quick succession (i.e. the pitches are not going to be great at this time of the year and they may want to option to take him off after an hour if there's another game in a few days). I think Baylee Dipepa has done brilliantly for a 16 year-old lad but he's not the experienced option that can potentially help close down games, he's still learning.

I would imagine the last one was Lucas Covolon wasn't it? I think certainly recent seasons (especially the influx under Askey - Kieran Kennedy, Fitzpatrick, Trickett-Smith, Rawlinson, Callum Evans, Jordan Archer, Jonny Maddison the list goes on) may have skewed some opinions (perhaps deservedly) on concentrating too much on non-league 'bargains'. That list shows you need decent scouting to select the wheat from the chaff. However, the likes of Peterborough have shown it can be done if you do it properly and pick out only the top prospects. For me, I wouldn't want to see a sudden influx of half a dozen non-league players like Askey brought in, but I wouldn't be unhappy if the club bring in the odd one to see if they can develop them.

Aren't you both right? Moor Green are now Solihull Moors.

I think there's no hard and fast rule over "club legends" - we have a sprinkling of non-league signings (Andy Jones, Ian Taylor, Stuart Talbot), we also have homegrown heroes (Roy Sproson or Andy Porter), we have signings who started off at bigger clubs (Guppy or Foyle) and we have signings from rival clubs (Tony Naylor for instance). I don't think there's any hard or fast rule - it's much more about the player and the quality of your scouting. I don't think you should exclusively concentrate on non-league signings but neither should you rule it out. After all, our current top scorer didn't learn his trade at a big club. He learnt it in the NW non-league scene.