MBE

If we didn't sign him all he could do is play in bounce and academy games so it makes sense to sign him short term before committing to a long term. If he was that good we would have signed him long term but he's not going to come into the 1st team.It gives us a chance to reassess other positions and the market as well to strategise the budget in January. You'd expect him to have at least 2 EFL trophy games to show what he can do. I watched him him play in a 7 v 7 small sided game last week, other than his size he didn't standout likewise he didn't look out of place. Rhys Walters and Alfie Devine however looked fantastic. I fully expect Arblaster to go back to Sheff Utd but I really think we have a ready made replacement in Rhys Walters. I just hope he proves it in the EFL games. Rhys is the best prospect I can remember at Vale since Anthony Gardner.

On a positive note with LB's I saw Dan Jones running on the grass yesterday morning so he must be feeling a little better. Hopefully he's only a few weeks away from given the all clear to join in training.

Can't say I'm sad to see Barton loose his job....

Anyone remember DC bemoaning we only had 1 player i.e. Joyce capable of playing the holding role to play 433? We have done exactly the same thing this season with WB's.

It was personal circumstances. A reset in the summer might have resolved it but I think that would have been a gamble. We lost over 1m to get in to L1 - thats some gamble. Irony is we would have stayed up but I think you have to be proactive in that situation when you know things are not right rather than hoping it will be OK. With hindsight I still think it was the right choice to be honest. I just can't believe managers are getting sacked so early in the season.

Who'd be a manager..Top2 after a good start now lost jobs. I think owners have lost their minds. Thank god we have Carol & Kevin.