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Who are your worst Port Vale central midfielders?


robf

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2 hours ago, Jacko51 said:

Bill Bentley.  I was never sure of his role because he didn't stop goals, he didn't make goals and he didn't score goals.  He had a habit of shooting from miles out and sending the ball into orbit.  Every time he did it my better half used to say "He'll never score!"  And he never did!

Bill Bentley was a rugged, no nonsense left full back who may have occasionally played left midfield. He had legs like tree trunks.

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Exodus simply has to be in this team somewhere not just for his sheer ineptitude but the fact he was so intrinsically linked to the farcical Jim Gannon era. Let’s not forget his last actions in a Vale shirt were scrapping with his own supporters. Ironically the only time he ever showed any fight in a Vale shirt!

After that my vote goes to Craig Rocastle. Absolute <ovf censored>.

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Honestly baffling how Griff gets a mention in this thread. The stick that man got is outrageous. One of my favourite players over the last 10-15 years. The absolutely eiptome of what a PVFC defensive midfielder should be. I remember once we were on the back foot at Crewe (It was either 1-0 to them or 1-1) and the Vale crowd had lulled a bit, Griff flew into a tackle and the roar was as if we'd scored. We went on to win and I honestly think that tackle played a massive part in it.

 

As a pair I absolutely shudder at the thought of Tongue and Pugh playing together. The only time I've ever considered not turning up to a game was when these pair were starting. Obviously better players than we could have dreamt of signing in their day but well past it by the time they came to us.

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That penalty away at Grimsby will live long in the memory. I've seen a camera angle from in front of the goal that really shows it up for what it was. That sidefooted tap to the goalkeeper was bordering on dodgy betting police enquiry worthy. 

 

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25 minutes ago, rob1983 said:

John durnin he was god awful. I know he spent most of his career as a striker but played for us as a centre mid. No pace, couldnt pass couldnt shoot or tackle. Never left the centre circle.

I thought Durnin was surprisingly good in the holding midfield role. The number of interceptions he made was quite high. He was less effective in his second season but he must have been close to 40 by then.

2 minutes ago, CAVALIER said:

I can recall many suggesting Exodus would be our next captain after his first couple of games. He was <ovf censored> but there are many worse than him

He played well in one night game in front of a shockingly small crowd, otherwise I don't remember him doing much other than that.

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19 hours ago, Jacko51 said:

Explain Bentley’s role in the team, EV, please.  Agree that Griffiths does not deserve consideration here. 

The differing roles that Bentley was given by 4 different managers reflects more on them than him. However, in respect of his willingness to take up any role on behalf of the team that reflects favourably on him.  He was signed by Roy Sproson and used as a left back. He played specifically in that role for only a short time until Roy Sproson was sacked. Sproson did not rate Neil Griffiths and Bentley was his second attempt at replacing him (the first was Gary Dulson)  Bill Bentley was then deployed as right back, left back, left midfield, centre midfield and even a winger by three of the worse managers ever to occupy the chair at Vale Park, Bobby Smith, Dennis Butler and Alan Bloor. Your observation about his role is correct, your assessment of his ability as a player is significantly wide of the mark. Bill Bentley was a very good professional who gave his all to Port Vale, he was well respected and he did what three very poor managers asked of him.  I know of no player who had a career record of more than 500 games in total and more than 100 for Port Vale who could qualify, or even be mentioned, as someone who is one of the worse ever players.  This is all about opinions of course.  John McGrath rated Bill Bentley enough to keep him in the side for the first 18 months of his reign.  I maintain my point of view that Bill Bentley does not deserve to be mentioned in this thread.

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36 minutes ago, Essex Vale said:

The differing roles that Bentley was given by 4 different managers reflects more on them than him. However, in respect of his willingness to take up any role on behalf of the team that reflects favourably on him.  He was signed by Roy Sproson and used as a left back. He played specifically in that role for only a short time until Roy Sproson was sacked. Sproson did not rate Neil Griffiths and Bentley was his second attempt at replacing him (the first was Gary Dulson)  Bill Bentley was then deployed as right back, left back, left midfield, centre midfield and even a winger by three of the worse managers ever to occupy the chair at Vale Park, Bobby Smith, Dennis Butler and Alan Bloor. Your observation about his role is correct, your assessment of his ability as a player is significantly wide of the mark. Bill Bentley was a very good professional who gave his all to Port Vale, he was well respected and he did what three very poor managers asked of him.  I know of no player who had a career record of more than 500 games in total and more than 100 for Port Vale who could qualify, or even be mentioned, as someone who is one of the worse ever players.  This is all about opinions of course.  John McGrath rated Bill Bentley enough to keep him in the side for the first 18 months of his reign.  I maintain my point of view that Bill Bentley does not deserve to be mentioned in this thread.

McGrath unloaded him in the May after he had taken over in the December so he only lasted 5 months. I know football is all opinions and I was young at the time. However he never really took his opportunities in any position and owed most of his appearances in the worst Vale side ever (79-80) to injuries of other players. I don't think his commitment was ever doubted but the fact he moved to Stafford Rangers and wasn't a regular in 1980 says he was a much diminished player from the one at Blackpool. 

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