NEWPORT VALIANT

Disappointing from hammering at BARNSLEY on worst opening day defeat for any football league club since 1961, to the fact that Vale have failed to achieve a midweek league victory in over two seasons. Culminating with only two league victories in 2024. To say that the league One season has been embarrassing is an understatement for all Vale fans. Carol Shannahan does LOVE PORT VALE, but unfortunately she doesn't have enough knowledge to run a successful football club and with the shocking Director of Football Dave Flitcroft, has undermined PVFC. His departure could not come soon enough and do PVFC certainly in League 2 require a Director of Football. OK Carol Shannahan has been honest enough to admit that she has made errors of judgement. But regardless fair play to the Shannahan's as they have invested in their local football club. Look across the city and even tycoon and money magnet Peter Coates has got loads of critics Stoke City were a Premier League club and pretty successful, but over the past six seasons back in The Championship Stoke have failed to finish in the top half of the table. Money helps clubs vastly, but it is all about the right recruitment. PVFC if I were in charge I would get rid of all the senior players other than Ripley, Chislet and Garrity and keep all the young and upcoming players as they are the future of PVFC and will learn their football trade in League 2 and possibly generate finance from their sales in future. DM YES he has been disappointing but when he took over PVFC were heading for League 2 barring a miracle. DM has proved at WBA, DONCASTER ROVERS and SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY what a good influential manager he can be. DM needs time and a good recruitment process. He needs time and I can't see PVFC challenging next season. But 2025/26 season. UTV

Difficult to believe that SHREWSBURY have lost more League One matches 20 than any other team, also lowest goals scored 26 and worst goal difference minus 25. On Saturday I was in SHREWSBURY officiating on a local grassroots football match and on my way home after my game, I tuned into the second half OF SHREWSBURY V BLACKPOOL. BLACKPOOL were the dominant team and according to the Radio Shropshire commentary team SHREWSBURY were toothless and never looked like scoring against a good BLACKPOOL side. But after the game their commentary team were adamant that PORT VALE away although a "BIG GAME" for SHREWSBURY was a good opportunity to get three more points towards safety. Surely VALE'S dwindling opportunities to gain salvation means the only result which is classed as a success is 3 points. This is last chance saloon. But I have just about given up on VALE escaping the trapdoor. Let's hope that Darren Moore can get rid of the dead wood, who have not been good enough this season and recruit a promotion winning team in League Two next season, to regain faith in the team for the Hardy VALE faithful. UTV

Liam Brazier young Vale talent on the radar of "Spanish Giants Barcelona", it might well be " pie in the sky", but the information has surfaced from somewhere. Whatever speculation there is surely to a certain degree is good news for the club in general. Can never remember a season like this for so much young talent coming off the Vale Academy production line and integrated into the first team squad. Also this season bringing in " Premier League Young Talents", Olly Arblaster and Alfie Devine who today made his Championship debut for Plymouth Argyle and had an assist in one of Plymouth's goals. Vale have know brought in Jensen Weir from Brighton, who was very productive last season at Morecambe. Now young centre back Rhys Williams from Liverpool and a possibility of another talented young starlet Dan Gore midfield player from Manchester United. I think it is amazing that a club such as PORT VALE can attract young talent that want to learn their footballing trade at Vale and fair play to Andy Crosby. He may well not be everyone's cup of tea. But full admiration to him for giving youth chance and introducing Premier League Starlets of the future to " The Wembley of The North at Vale Park". UTV