I genuinely hope that the retained list is just a document stating the players contract positions as it stands and despite some players being under contract discussions are underway,behind the scenes to move them on. What seriously concerns me and makes me question this is the mention of talks taking place regarding retaining Uche, a proven non goalscoring striker. If this is the master plan then we basically start next season with most of this year's failures. Anyone see a flaw in that strategy ?

Won't get fooled again, eh? 

53 minutes ago, PVFC764 said:

That could work, a player/coach.  Leutwiler must be fed up with not getting game time

We already have a goalkeeper coach

6 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

We already have a goalkeeper coach

This is Vale.  When do we go with just the normal 🤣  Probably end up with 3 goalkeeper coaches and then the extra 50 staff behind the scenes to look after them.  😉

Can someone please ask DM on Thursday his thought process on offering Uche any kind of terms ? What does he see that we don't? 

Beggars belief we are offering him any kind of deal at all based on what I have seen from him. We're stuck with Loft so our hands are tied on that one but to think we may have those two plus maybe one more as our front line next season scares the crap out of me !!

2 hours ago, PVFC764 said:

That could work, a player/coach.  Leutwiler must be fed up with not getting game time and being able to show what he can do to other teams.

The retained list was a good chance to get rid of some of the players who have not shown any spirit - but no not the Vale - another mistake which I hope does not bite them when we go down next season with keeping them.  Same silly mistakes, not tackling players, not marking runners and just no fight in them. 

Just hope that DM and Co have a plan for better players and they are demoted to squad water bottle carriers.

Well paid bottle carriers 

27 minutes ago, TEXAS said:

Can someone please ask DM on Thursday his thought process on offering Uche any kind of terms ? What does he see that we don't? 

Beggars belief we are offering him any kind of deal at all based on what I have seen from him. We're stuck with Loft so our hands are tied on that one but to think we may have those two plus maybe one more as our front line next season scares the crap out of me !!

The thought process is: We can’t afford anyone better and if you think Uche is bad, wait until you see who else we can attract. 
 

It’s James Wilson last season all over again. We might let him go, but Uche will reappear in August, unfit, without a pre season, signing a desperate deal when we have nobody else. 

18 hours ago, markh said:

Forum will be interesting. I was thinking the other day why don’t Vale look to do a Man U/Radcliffe deal if there’s investment needed? Could work for all parties, shanahans own club and all the community stuff which they are clearly great at and sell the football side to someone if interested. Funding the football side with a possible payoff of academy stars etc whilst having a minority share in club and board representation. I’ve no idea how it will work at Man U long term or if it’s just an “in” for a full takeover but would seem to leave everyone with their strengths and possibly increase funding in the on the pitch side. I may just be talking absolute arse though. 

I think coming up with ideas to progress Port Vale is always commendable. This has some credibility, but I'm not a multi party person myself.

My view of the Man Utd situation is that they're going to continue to fail - relatively - on the pitch. They may successfully rebuild Old Trafford and all it's surrounding campus. Things have been thrown in the air by Liverpool changing manager, but they have a stable owner. So do Man City, Arsenal, Newcastle, Aston Villa and maybe Chelsea. I can see how Man Utd can pop up to challenge for 4th next season. But I think Man Utd are doomed for another decade at least before they get close to the title. They need pretty much a whole squad transformation. 

My tip for next season. Watch Jayden Danns come through as a striker at Liverpool and save them £150 million. 

Edited April 30, 20242 yr by Warren

Can someone please ask DM on Thursday his thought process on offering Uche any kind of terms ? What does he see that we don't? 
Beggars belief we are offering him any kind of deal at all based on what I have seen from him. We're stuck with Loft so our hands are tied on that one but to think we may have those two plus maybe one more as our front line next season scares the crap out of me !!

Apparently, an extension clause in his contract. Whether it is acceptable or a better offer from else where. 4 months to decide if he wants to dither about. Early days yet, his contract has 2 months to run.

Sent from my SM-A715F using onevalefan mobile app

The retained list is on the website. Not unexpected. At L2 level this is a competitive squad as we have seen when playing L2 teams last season. Good idea to play players in their best positions - such as Sang. But with young players coming through that is pretty much a full squad. So my question is what trading is likely to occur as we all know where the weaknesses are even if the intrinsic squad is not too bad.  

11 minutes ago, Warren said:

The retained list is on the website. Not unexpected. At L2 level this is a competitive squad as we have seen when playing L2 teams last season. Good idea to play players in their best positions - such as Sang. But with young players coming through that is pretty much a full squad. So my question is what trading is likely to occur as we all know where the weaknesses are even if the intrinsic squad is not too bad.  

This squad's not got a competitive bone between them

Big difference between L1 and L2 so be careful what we wish for. Persuading good players to join us in L2 not going to be easy. Re Uche, he's a pain in the arse for opposition defences. Every team needs one who isn't necessarily prolific. His problem has been he's being judged on goals because we haven't got any other strikers capable of scoring. If we can pick up at least 2 goalscorers then uche will be a big asset playing alongside them.

22 minutes ago, Warren said:

The retained list is on the website. Not unexpected. At L2 level this is a competitive squad as we have seen when playing L2 teams last season. Good idea to play players in their best positions - such as Sang. But with young players coming through that is pretty much a full squad. So my question is what trading is likely to occur as we all know where the weaknesses are even if the intrinsic squad is not too bad.  

I don't class a team where the majority of the fanbase are resigned to defeat as soon as we go 1-0 down as competitive Warren. 

Quite the opposite, weak underbelly and gutless are more apt.

If a core of 5 of these losers are in our starting X1 next season we have real issues. Everyone knows who the exceptions are. 

The retained list was a good chance to get rid of some of the players who have not shown any spirit - but no not the Vale - another mistake which I hope does not bite them when we go down next season with keeping them. 

I guess they would have loved to have axed the majority of the squad, they can't if they are under contract, employment law covers all parts of employment even football, unless they can do a deal with those left DM's hands are tied.


Sent from my SM-A217F using onevalefan mobile app

On 01/04/2024 at 18:40, darren1810 said:

Agree bar Debs. Just don't rate him myself. Clumsy player. 

So you expect Darren to get atleast 15 good players though the door? To expensive.