Transfer Rumours Pre-Season

[robf]

6 hours ago, toyahw said:

Sign up Smudger. With a reasonable buy out clause you would think this is the best option for all concerned at this time.

I wonder if in the current climate taking another 12 months at Vale may be a safer option than going into a crowded free agent market. Well, we can hope...

[Iron Curtain]

7 hours ago, toyahw said:

I think he will be a "you don't know what you've got 'til its gone" type player.  

 

This is a really good point... As Popey says in his column, opposition target men hate playing against him

[TheSage]

I think Smith improved a lot as the season went on, particularly with the ball at his feet. The back four was looking solid and settled, so it would be disappointing if one of them left. Smith should get better with age.

Wages will of course come into the equation. Can we afford to push out the boat a little for Smith and then not have the money to strengthen elsewhere? Can we manage to keep him within the budget?

But historically it's much easier to replace defenders than attacking players who can make a difference in the final third. Replacing Pope eventually will be a massive headache, as will finding a goal scoring midfield player like Taylor. Players who can score and create goals are like gold dust, more so than defenders.

That said, I'm contradicting myself a little now because we had a whole parade of goalies who were rubbish before we settled on Brown and I guess that the defenders would say they're just as important to the team as attackers! It is a good point about not realising what you've got until they've gone.

It would be great if everyone signed and we only had to top up the squad with a few extra good players. But players come and go at Port Vale. Unfortunately, it's part and parcel of following a lower league club with limited financial clout.

[darren1810]

14 hours ago, robf said:

Not sure of that - Maddison has been on the books of Sunderland, Crawley, Leicester, Yeovil (some six years) before joining Darlo in 2018 so he's been around the League blocks and never really cut it. I was thinking more of a hungry -league rather than the sort of journeyman Maddison unfortunately was. 

I get what you are saying Rob, last summer seemed a right faff though for JA getting a keeper in who was prepared to play second fiddle. Brown could still be Vale number one for at least 3 more years if he so wished. 

In fairness to Maddison he was only 18 at Sunderland and 19 at Leicester , you don't see many kids that age playing in the Premiership ( keepers ) .

My thinking was along the lines of it's better the devil you know sometimes. He must of been on peanuts, was clearly happy as second string and accepting of the fact. Just my opinion was after it being problematic last summer then JA could have exactly the same issue this summer and realistically it;s going to be a chancer on small wages.

Anyway it is done and JA knows a damn sight more about football than me 😀

[JRC]

I think just the logistics of players moving away from home is going to change recruitment this summer. Clubs are not going to want players in hotels or shared accommodation next season. Players are probably going to want to be near to families given the risk of local lockdowns. Most recruitment probably likely to be players with a family home within a 50 mile radius.

[Iron Curtain]

1 hour ago, JRC said:

I think just the logistics of players moving away from home is going to change recruitment this summer. Clubs are not going to want players in hotels or shared accommodation next season. Players are probably going to want to be near to families given the risk of local lockdowns. Most recruitment probably likely to be players with a family home within a 50 mile radius.

Totally agree with this.

[Doha]

In reference to Joyce's comments on signing a new deal yesterday, it is quite telling for me that when you read any staff or player comments in recent months, any of Joe Davis' articles, any sort of statement from the horses mouth, they almost all make a mention of how unrecognisable the club is now compared to what it previously was. In other words, they're diplomatically slagging off Gorm. Even Colin had a politely phrased dig. I like this very much. 

[Howjy04]

1 hour ago, Iron Curtain said:

Totally agree with this.

You never know but we may end up with a new Iron  Curtain of local lads,IC.

[PV1973]

41 minutes ago, Doha said:

In reference to Joyce's comments on signing a new deal yesterday, it is quite telling for me that when you read any staff or player comments in recent months, any of Joe Davis' articles, any sort of statement from the horses mouth, they almost all make a mention of how unrecognisable the club is now compared to what it previously was. In other words, they're diplomatically slagging off Gorm. Even Colin had a politely phrased dig. I like this very much. 

I’ve heard a lot from people that work there (staff and players) about the changes behind the scenes and it’s like night and day from what it was like under Norman. Now the focus is looking after the players In a professional manner, whereas before it wasnt. 

[Joe B]

44 minutes ago, Doha said:

In reference to Joyce's comments on signing a new deal yesterday, it is quite telling for me that when you read any staff or player comments in recent months, any of Joe Davis' articles, any sort of statement from the horses mouth, they almost all make a mention of how unrecognisable the club is now compared to what it previously was. In other words, they're diplomatically slagging off Gorm. Even Colin had a politely phrased dig. I like this very much. 

Its petty, divisive, childish, and sanctimonious of me but.... I keep thinking of all the people who gave us stick for trying to change things.

I know its not the mature thing to do but every time I read these comments flying out of every corner of the football club I think back to some of the mindless debates that were had on here, Radio Stoke, and social media.

I'm happy to get criticism for saying this. Fair few people have gone very quiet about some opinions they used to hold, despite overwhelming evidence from all parties that the protestors were 100% right in what they were doing.

[JRC]

1 hour ago, Iron Curtain said:

Totally agree with this.

Glenn Murray was on talk sport talking about his career. He talked about how moving back home improved his injury recovery and injury reduction when he moved back to Brighton.  Not having to get straight into his car to avoid rush hour gave him time for extra physio and stretching. He thinks its added two or three years to his career.

[Doha]

1 hour ago, Joe B said:

Its petty, divisive, childish, and sanctimonious of me but.... I keep thinking of all the people who gave us stick for trying to change things.

I know its not the mature thing to do but every time I read these comments flying out of every corner of the football club I think back to some of the mindless debates that were had on here, Radio Stoke, and social media.

I'm happy to get criticism for saying this. Fair few people have gone very quiet about some opinions they used to hold, despite overwhelming evidence from all parties that the protestors were 100% right in what they were doing.

Fck em. We know who they are. 

The one that spat on Old Sage though, he needs ostracising. 

[Iron Curtain]

4 hours ago, Joe B said:

Its petty, divisive, childish, and sanctimonious of me but.... I keep thinking of all the people who gave us stick for trying to change things.

I know its not the mature thing to do but every time I read these comments flying out of every corner of the football club I think back to some of the mindless debates that were had on here, Radio Stoke, and social media.

I'm happy to get criticism for saying this. Fair few people have gone very quiet about some opinions they used to hold, despite overwhelming evidence from all parties that the protestors were 100% right in what they were doing.

Certain individuals get VERY cross and upset it you bring it up with them.

Balance of evidence my ar*e

We will never forget

[Iron Curtain]

First rumour of the summer.

Leo Smith, 22yr old, Scott Burgess style midfielder.

He was at Wrexham and made some appearances as a 17-18 yr old.

moved on to Caernarfon in the welsh league. They seem to like him a lot.

[Walka003]

The last player we had from that league was very steady, still wish we'd kept Rawlinson as a back up.

Always an unknown when looking at these young players from lower leagues, could be Andy Jones, could be JJ Hooper.