17 minutes ago, Emile said:

I think I'd rather play Nathan Smith up front - better goals per game!

haha... actually that's a good point. I hadn't appreciated that he doesn't score many.

Seen a few ‘rumours’ suggesting Crewe are interested in Smith. It wouldn’t surprise me if they are. A local lad, looking for a step up in football and a club which would be ideal for him in a number of ways. However, I couldn’t personally see Smith going to Crewe. Would they offer him more money? I doubt it. Are they going to make a serious challenge in League 1? I doubt it. Would it be a serious step up for him? I doubt it. I think Smith is holding out for either, a top half League 1 side or a Championship club.

I’m praying Smith stays with us for at least another year, but it’s not looking very likely. Months of negotiations and nothing seems to have changed. If he was to leave, I’d wish him all the best. He’s been a great servant to the club, in some very harsh and tough times for a footballer of his age, with the situation Vale have been in previously. 

I must stress, it’s only a ‘rumour’, I have seen about Crewe being in for him. It might just be somebody on the wind up. 
 

Bostwick is a midfielder who sometimes plays at the back. He’s also 32 with his best days behind him. I’d look elsewhere.

Alex Hurst appears to have been keeping himself in great shape if social media is anything to go by. Could be his breakthrough year if he comes back raring to go.

On 12/06/2020 at 21:06, Portvale4 said:

Seen a few ‘rumours’ suggesting Crewe are interested in Smith. It wouldn’t surprise me if they are. A local lad, looking for a step up in football and a club which would be ideal for him in a number of ways. However, I couldn’t personally see Smith going to Crewe. Would they offer him more money? I doubt it. Are they going to make a serious challenge in League 1? I doubt it. Would it be a serious step up for him? I doubt it. I think Smith is holding out for either, a top half League 1 side or a Championship club.

I’m praying Smith stays with us for at least another year, but it’s not looking very likely. Months of negotiations and nothing seems to have changed. If he was to leave, I’d wish him all the best. He’s been a great servant to the club, in some very harsh and tough times for a footballer of his age, with the situation Vale have been in previously. 

I must stress, it’s only a ‘rumour’, I have seen about Crewe being in for him. It might just be somebody on the wind up. 
 

Of the top of my head i can't recall the last player to make that journey.

We have had a few Byron Moore, Gary Roberts, Dave Brammer, Richard Walker !!! , Uche on loan to both.

Not many have gone the other way. 

It would be expected that Crewe will struggle as we probably would have done so maybe not the best move for Smith, if local was his aim what better run club than Burton , though it would stick in my throat losing a player to them. 

1 hour ago, darren1810 said:

Of the top of my head i can't recall the last player to make that journey.

We have had a few Byron Moore, Gary Roberts, Dave Brammer, Richard Walker !!! , Uche on loan to both.

Not many have gone the other way. 

It would be expected that Crewe will struggle as we probably would have done so maybe not the best move for Smith, if local was his aim what better run club than Burton , though it would stick in my throat losing a player to them. 

Shrewsbury?

Of the top of my head i can't recall the last player to make that journey.
We have had a few Byron Moore, Gary Roberts, Dave Brammer, Richard Walker !!! , Uche on loan to both.
Not many have gone the other way. 
It would be expected that Crewe will struggle as we probably would have done so maybe not the best move for Smith, if local was his aim what better run club than Burton , though it would stick in my throat losing a player to them. 

Dave Brammer was the last player I recall going to Crewe. Was a big deal for then back then.

Burton have already been the second placed Staffordshire team for years and even spent an couple of years in tbe Championship fair play to them. Just crazy to think where they came from.

Virtually every club in league one can offer bigger wages. I suppose it depends on how local Smith wants to be - if he wants to test himself at a higher level.

Shrewsbury is a good shout. I'd imagine they pay better than Burton. But there are dozens of clubs within 90 minutes drive of here.

When is the deadline for our players to accept our offers?

12 minutes ago, TheSage said:

Virtually every club in league one can offer bigger wages. I suppose it depends on how local Smith wants to be - if he wants to test himself at a higher level.

Shrewsbury is a good shout. I'd imagine they pay better than Burton. But there are dozens of clubs within 90 minutes drive of here.

When is the deadline for our players to accept our offers?

Deadline is tomorrow I think.... but that just means the Vale can withdraw the offer and are not obliged to honour it, which I don't think they would with Smith.

It just means there is risk on both parties, Smith can still come back later and say he wants to sign it, and the Vale would probably agree ... but they could say they no longer want to sign him as they have signed a replacement.

 

Unofficial Vale says these rumours are not real... who knows. I miss normal football rumours and a normal close season 😂

3 hours ago, Iron Curtain said:

Unofficial Vale says these rumours are not real... 

Expect them both to sign in the morning then 😄

I see Forest Green have released George Williams and Farrend Rawson. I wouldn't mind both of them.

Farrend Rawson - 6'4 centre back, 23 years old, joined FGR for a fee 18 months ago and has 132 football league appearances under his belt.

George Williams - 24 year old winger/attacking midfielde, 8 goals in 42 appearances for FGR. 7 full Wales caps too.

 

 

9 minutes ago, valeparklife said:

I see Forest Green have released George Williams and Farrend Rawson. I wouldn't mind both of them.

Farrend Rawson - 6'4 centre back, 23 years old, joined FGR for a fee 18 months ago and has 132 football league appearances under his belt.

George Williams - 24 year old winger/attacking midfielde, 8 goals in 42 appearances for FGR. 7 full Wales caps too.

 

 

Rawson would be a good signing. Williams is a good player WHEN fit - which isn't often. I suspect he'd be an expensive option in terms of wage per game. 

Dayle Grubb would be worth a look. Signed for FGR from a poor Weston super mare side.
Didn't get much of a look in at rovers but scored for fun at WSM.
Would be cheap as well.

Rawson would be a good signing. Williams is a good player WHEN fit - which isn't often. I suspect he'd be an expensive option in terms of wage per game. 

Two more from another dodgy rumour site.