New players

[matt 381]

I think we should be looking at:

 

Neal

 

New RB New CB Duffy Dickinson

 

JMW Lines New CDM Loft

 

Pope New ST.

 

Bench: Johnson, Robertson, Jones, New CM (Knott or Cuvelier would do), New LM/RM, Williamson, Hugill.

 

I'd keep Birchall, Davis and Taylor as well but possibly loan them out. Either way, we are always going to get injuries so they will be involved a lot.

 

Therefore, i'd be getting rid of Yates, Chilvers, Dodds, Tomlin, Shuker, Griff and Mohamed IF POSSIBLE.

 

If this was to happen, i'd certainly be confident of finishing in at least 8th like Norman wants. However, with the proposed budget cuts, it will be an extremely interesting summer...

 

I think that's spot on as long as we can keep hold of loft lines Dicko and Neal

[FATBOYSTEVE]

As I said a week ago , a complete new back four and a defensive midfielder with composure, the rest of the team will do.

 

U sure what about a goalkeeper who can cover his near post and isnt injury prone

[PV1993]

We don't want too much change. We've got a close knit group here so a lot of changes would probably have a more negative effect. We certainly need a left winger. I also think we need

 

Goalkeepers: We have a great number 1, a good back up in Johnson, and Boot in the development squad. No change needed.

 

Defence: Quite clearly our weakest area, although I don't think this is helped when playing the formation that we do (2 attacking wingers with 2 upfront). However I do think we need an attacking right back. I like Yates but I think league 2 is his level unfortunately. As mentioned before if possible a tall mobile defender wouldn't go amiss but how hard are they to come across.

 

Midfield: I'd keep hold of Knott or Cuvelier (not sure we'd have the budget for both) and keep hold of Loft, Lines and Birchall. We do need a good defensive midfielder but Griff will do if there is no budget as other areas are more important. We definitely need a left winger though.

 

Upfront: We need to keep hold of Hugill. I'd keep Dodds as he's the only player who I've really seen Pope play well upfront with. Willo offers another option too so keep hold of him. I'm not too keen on Tomlin, however.

 

So I'd bring in: a full back and a winger (+ MAYBE a centre half and a defensive midfielder) whilst keeping hold of one of our on-loan midfielders.

 

I would release: Chilvers, Yates, Tomlin, Shuker, Mohamed

[werstayinup]

I think we should be looking at:

 

Neal

 

New RB New CB Duffy Dickinson

 

JMW Lines New CDM Loft

 

Pope New ST.

 

Bench: Johnson, Robertson, Jones, New CM (Knott or Cuvelier would do), New LM/RM, Williamson, Hugill.

 

I'd keep Birchall, Davis and Taylor as well but possibly loan them out. Either way, we are always going to get injuries so they will be involved a lot.

 

Therefore, i'd be getting rid of Yates, Chilvers, Dodds, Tomlin, Shuker, Griff and Mohamed IF POSSIBLE.

 

If this was to happen, i'd certainly be confident of finishing in at least 8th like Norman wants. However, with the proposed budget cuts, it will be an extremely interesting summer...

 

Duffy has played his best games at centre half but I would certainly keep him on but I would bring in a pacy tall centre half to play alongside Davis who I would also keep,for me we would have decent cover then with Davis,Robertson,duffy and a new CB.

[werstayinup]

Who we keep will also depend on what the final budget is and who the manager is of course

[matt 381]

Duffy has played his best games at centre half but I would certainly keep him on but I would bring in a pacy tall centre half to play alongside Davis who I would also keep,for me we would have decent cover then with Davis,Robertson,duffy and a new CB.

 

Fast and tall defenders are very rare in this league

[paulvaliant]

Holding midfielder - Toumani Diagouraga from Brentford. Decent amount of experience, scores the odd goal, 6"4 and a better Griff.

[ArtyTheValiant]

Another Peter Swan, Gareth Griffiths, Anthony Gardner must be out there somewhere!

[mitchpvfc]

Holding midfielder - Toumani Diagouraga from Brentford. Decent amount of experience, scores the odd goal, 6"4 and a better Griff.

 

Good shout that is. He's certainly a realistic signing as Brentford look like they are going to go up and i cant really see him being part of their plans in the championship.

[Caroline Oakes]

Do what stoke did start with two very good centre halves

 

No one listens to you anymore even when you may talk sense.

[Woakesy]

Looking at players who will be out of contract in the summer, I'd like Byron Moore from Crewe.

 

I've always been impressed when I've seen him & I think he & JMW would make a good wing partnership.

 

Dicko couldn't cope with him at Vale Park.

[Andyregs]

We don't want too much change. We've got a close knit group here so a lot of changes would probably have a more negative effect. We certainly need a left winger. I also think we need

 

Goalkeepers: We have a great number 1, a good back up in Johnson, and Boot in the development squad. No change needed.

 

Defence: Quite clearly our weakest area, although I don't think this is helped when playing the formation that we do (2 attacking wingers with 2 upfront). However I do think we need an attacking right back. I like Yates but I think league 2 is his level unfortunately. As mentioned before if possible a tall mobile defender wouldn't go amiss but how hard are they to come across.

 

Midfield: I'd keep hold of Knott or Cuvelier (not sure we'd have the budget for both) and keep hold of Loft, Lines and Birchall. We do need a good defensive midfielder but Griff will do if there is no budget as other areas are more important. We definitely need a left winger though.

 

Upfront: We need to keep hold of Hugill. I'd keep Dodds as he's the only player who I've really seen Pope play well upfront with. Willo offers another option too so keep hold of him. I'm not too keen on Tomlin, however.

 

So I'd bring in: a full back and a winger (+ MAYBE a centre half and a defensive midfielder) whilst keeping hold of one of our on-loan midfielders.

 

I would release: Chilvers, Yates, Tomlin, Shuker, Mohamed

 

I couldn't disagree more with a post on this thread. Maybe a centre half? Should be number one priority,a long with another centre half. And to say we should keep griff as other areas are more important! One problem with the defence is that they have been out under pressure sometimes because teams have strolled through our midfield (though they should have dealt better at times). We need midfielder who can keep possession and pass to our own players. This is the one thing we haven't done this year. Partly because of the players and partly because of the tactics. It takes pressure off us and allows us to work out opportunities. This is why knott has looked impressive. It's because it's something he can do. Griff can't. No matter how much he tackles, if the ball goes back to the opposition it's pointless. What worked in league two, lots of effort and getting the ball into the last third quickly, isn't working in this league.

For me...

 

Keepers: keep Neal and get rid of Johnson. Not a priority though.

Defenders: pretty much a new defence. I'd keep Duffy as a centre half,and would be happy keeping Dicko depending on wages.

Midfielders: get rid of griff, birchall, Dodds, shuker, Mohammed, keep lines, JMW, knott and cuvelier.

Strikers: keep pope, not sure hugill has it but he is still young and cheap. Not convinced with Williamson either. Had a better spell recently, but I'd be happy with two new strikers. Get rid of Tomlin.

[timvalefan]

I couldn't disagree more with a post on this thread. Maybe a centre half? Should be number one priority,a long with another centre half. And to say we should keep griff as other areas are more important! One problem with the defence is that they have been out under pressure sometimes because teams have strolled through our midfield (though they should have dealt better at times). We need midfielder who can keep possession and pass to our own players. This is the one thing we haven't done this year. Partly because of the players and partly because of the tactics. It takes pressure off us and allows us to work out opportunities. This is why knott has looked impressive. It's because it's something he can do. Griff can't. No matter how much he tackles, if the ball goes back to the opposition it's pointless. What worked in league two, lots of effort and getting the ball into the last third quickly, isn't working in this league.

For me...

 

Keepers: keep Neal and get rid of Johnson. Not a priority though.

Defenders: pretty much a new defence. I'd keep Duffy as a centre half,and would be happy keeping Dicko depending on wages.

Midfielders: get rid of griff, birchall, Dodds, shuker, Mohammed, keep lines, JMW, knott and cuvelier.

Strikers: keep pope, not sure hugill has it but he is still young and cheap. Not convinced with Williamson either. Had a better spell recently, but I'd be happy with two new strikers. Get rid of Tomlin.

 

I agree,

Loft will be gone and probably Lines, so very nearly a complete midfield is required. I can't believe a person on here still wants Dodds and Taylor to stay, both have been at VP for a number of years and both still are not good enough. I'd stick with the strikers, and try to get a couple of youngsters with promise from the lower leagues.

Defence, I'd keep Yates as back-up, because he can play at either fullback and is an option for injuries, Robertson can go, Duffy can stay, Dicko can stay(depends on his wages) and make him captain(might calm him down a bit), Johnson can stay, the rest can go.

I don't see the need to change the keepers.

[onestepatatime]

Agree with you timevalefan that it's unbelievable that some still want us to keep Dodds and Taylor. How much longer do we have to pay their wages? They will be better off serving a Division 2 team now for the balance of their careers. Thanks and well done for the past but surely their wages have to be used more wisely for next season?

 

Andyregs states good reasonning and I would basically agree with his sizing up of players.

[Lady_Vale]

Looking at players who will be out of contract in the summer, I'd like Byron Moore from Crewe.

 

I've always been impressed when I've seen him & I think he & JMW would make a good wing partnership.

 

Dicko couldn't cope with him at Vale Park.

 

It always seems he saves his best game for Vale as according to Crewe supporters he blows very hot and cold - probably a lesser version of JMW.

 

I wouldn't mind Chucks Aneke on loan though :D