Whilst looking up Fitzpatrick on wiki it took me onto Danny Rowe . Incredibly clubless. I remember him tearing our full back a new one when Lincoln beat us 6 

Not for a minute suggesting that we ought to of been in for him , more saying how a footballers fortunes can fluctuate. 

I'm a little surprised by the Fitzpatrick signing. I know its an unpopular view but I thought Crookes did Ok until his injury at LB last season. Just lost his concentration a few times but he is an inexperienced young lad. Certainly good enough to play there as backup to Monty. I wonder if he was too cheap to turn down, plus I suspect we saved a few thousands per week on our budget after Maynard chose not to sign or we moved on.

I don't agree we are a CM short. As pointed out earlier Wozza can perfectly play in the advanced role if needed.

I do think this season is going to be like no other and will be about the strength of the squad. Limited pre-season(should benefit us with a virtual starting 11 from last season) and a delayed start to the season games will come thick and fast. I think there are at least 10 midweek league scheduled , not too mention potential postponements with bad weather, covid etc to catch up ,plus cup games.

This season will be a real test of the squads and a long hard slog and we looked well equipped to deal with it.

Will Dino become our first ever South African player?

Basically a done deal isn’t? 

I think the clue to Fitzpatrick's signing is the 1 year contract? Brought in as cover, or even to start, until we can promote one of our own into that position? If nobody steps up, we could re-sign Fitz for another season - always supposing he does ok / wants to stay? Another sensible signing. I can't believe some of you are pushing for even more players to come in...although, that Messi is available - bags of potential there...but I dare say someone would have a whinge1

Edited August 25, 20205 yr by LancyTony
Wrong punctuation

Basically a done deal isn’t? 

Yeah apparently, just wondered if we have ever had another South African at Vale Park

Will Dino become our first ever South African player?

Justin Miller was South African I believe

57 minutes ago, MBE said:

I'm a little surprised by the Fitzpatrick signing. I know its an unpopular view but I thought Crookes did Ok until his injury at LB last season. Just lost his concentration a few times but he is an inexperienced young lad. Certainly good enough to play there as backup to Monty. I wonder if he was too cheap to turn down, plus I suspect we saved a few thousands per week on our budget after Maynard chose not to sign or we moved on.

I don't agree we are a CM short. As pointed out earlier Wozza can perfectly play in the advanced role if needed.

I do think this season is going to be like no other and will be about the strength of the squad. Limited pre-season(should benefit us with a virtual starting 11 from last season) and a delayed start to the season games will come thick and fast. I think there are at least 10 midweek league scheduled , not too mention potential postponements with bad weather, covid etc to catch up ,plus cup games.

This season will be a real test of the squads and a long hard slog and we looked well equipped to deal with it.

I do t think Askey trusts Monty as a full back. This means that Monty would be more of a forward than a defender.

18 minutes ago, Walka003 said:

Will Dino become our first ever South African player?

We have had a South African manager, Gordon Hodgson at Vale Park when it opened 70 years ago, died 47 years old, ex Liverpool (233 goals) also 2 games for England.

1 hour ago, MBE said:

I know its an unpopular view but I thought Crookes did Ok until his injury at LB last season.

Not really. I'm not slagging the bloke off, he looked good at CB vs Blackpool. And has plenty of time to get better. I just do not think he is a LB. Combined with looking shaky at the back, he offers nothing going forward, unlike Mitch or Gibbo. Which made us look very lopsided when he played. Smithy was always covering for him.

Monty is a pretty good LB. But as we all know a bit erratic. Which is why we love him.  Fitzpatrick is at least a specialist LB to come in and maybe steady the ship if things are going amiss down that side. So no problem.

I liked Visser's body language when he came in. No problem with him as a stop gap until we find a young prospect to challenge Browny.

5 hours ago, Burslem Academicals said:

Brown

Gibbons/Smith/Legge/Montano

Burgess/Joyce/Conlon

Amoo/Cullen/Worrall

.....................................................

Visser

Mills/Brisley/Crooke/Fitzy

Oyeleke/Whitehead/Hurst

Browne/Robinson/Rodney

Suspended: Pope

Unused :Trickett-Smith/Cambell-Gordon

If the above is the first team on day one then Mills/Brisley/Fitzpatrick/Oyeleke/Whitehead/Robinson will along with Pope after suspension all want first team games and good young players like Crooke/Hurst/Browne/Rodney will be pushing for places....Askey has put together a squad with good depth and a strong bench.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m liking the look of those front 3 combinations. The ‘2nd Team’ would cause most teams problems at this level.
 

Think there is scope for an extra midfielder based on that. Osadebe seems a good shout if we can get that one done. 

Justin Miller was South African I believe

He was as was Sinclair Le Geyt all be it don’t think he ever made an appearance after signing for us from Derby in 2000!

I think this has been a very successful window for the Vale. Well done Askey for getting it all wrapped up in plenty of time before the new season - we should hit the ground running. And we'll done to Carol and Co for backing Jim to the hilt, just when it was needed.

Looking forward to 20/21 - bring it on!

11 hours ago, LancyTony said:

I think the clue to Fitzpatrick's signing is the 1 year contract? Brought in as cover, or even to start, until we can promote one of our own into that position? If nobody steps up, we could re-sign Fitz for another season - always supposing he does ok / wants to stay? Another sensible signing. I can't believe some of you are pushing for even more players to come in...although, that Messi is available - bags of potential there...but I dare say someone would have a whinge1

‘I can’t beleive some of you are pushing for even more players to come in???’

Why? We only have 1 keeper for starters. A Cm would be good given the fitness of manny

 

16 hours ago, werstayinup said:

I am sure you are just on a wind up

ummm!