4 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

Remember, they can not play the same position at the same time🙂

It will be interesting to see how we line up for the first game. Gabriel hasn't come just to sit on the bench.

Looks like Gabriel will be the RCB competition for Debrah and RWB competition for Clark.

I'm getting more sure Moore sees Debrah's future as the centre of a three. Also it seems like he's recruiting to allow us to play 4 at the back more easily.

58 minutes ago, Portvale4 said:

It will be interesting to see how we line up for the first game. Gabriel hasn't come just to sit on the bench.

No longer a game for 11 players, or one formation.

11 hours ago, boslemportvale91 said:

Remind me to never ask you for the horse racing favourites or lottery numbers....

Mitch was originally offered reduced terms on a 12 month deal hence the interest and talks with the other clubs Vale then matched an offer of one of the said clubs which then meant he was haply to sign and stay I no this as I speak to Mitch a couple of times a week as he plays clubs on fifa with myself and a few others 

So many variables involved.

Some of which are

Players who can play in more than one position.

Two players of equal quality in each position.

In many positions, perhaps especially wing back, having a starter and a finisher means each can maintain higher levels than playing the full game.

There is so much flexibility required nowadays, it's no longer easy to pinpoint what is needed.

1 hour ago, valeitup said:

I'm getting more sure Moore sees Debrah's future as the centre of a three. Also it seems like he's recruiting to allow us to play 4 at the back more easily.

I don’t agree. Debrah was played at RCB almost exclusively last season. No change Moore goes into league 1 with Debrah as the starting Cb. 

To me, we’re recruiting to the 352 formation. Our wing backs are very attacking and all better offensively than defensively. I imagine Gabriel will be the starting RWB and Headley LWB. With John and Clark competing. Then possibly John and Gabriel competing with Debrah at RCB. I just don’t see us releasing Smith (a better out and out cb than Debrah) and then starting Debrah in the middle.

I still think we will sign a RCB and Cb personally. 

Our Achilles heal last season was the squad depth. I think Moore will be looking to add some real depth this year 

Edited June 5, 2025Jun 5 by valiant_593

17 minutes ago, valiant_593 said:

I don’t agree. Debrah was played at RCB almost exclusively last season. No change Moore goes into league 1 with Debrah as the starting Cb. 

To me, we’re recruiting to the 352 formation. Our wing backs are very attacking and all better offensively than defensively. I imagine Gabriel will be the starting RWB and Headley LWB. With John and Clark competing. Then possibly John and Gabriel competing with Debrah at RCB. I just don’t see us releasing Smith (a better out and out cb than Debrah) and then starting Debrah in the middle.

I still think we will sign a RCB and Cb personally. 

Our Achilles heal last season was the squad depth. I think Moore will be looking to add some real depth this year 

Moore did play Debs CB at times, he played RCB when Smith was recalled to the side and he knew that Smith was an out and out CB. I agree that he will recruit another CB to replace Smith but I think we will also see Debs play CB more often too this season (depending on which other CB we sign). 

3 hours ago, Brian Johnson said:

Remember, they can not play the same position at the same time🙂

Not much gets past you....

16 minutes ago, Vale Ball said:

Not much gets past you....

You are a bit strange you 

16 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

You are a bit strange you 

Takes one to know one.

13 minutes ago, Vale Ball said:

Takes one to know one.

Like I said

grow up you pair, it's embarrassing.

Let's hope our wingbacks can avoid injuries more so than last season. It's a demanding position, so having 2 starters in both positions should help with managing minutes. Mitch, Headley and John were all out for months on end last season. Keeping them fitter for longer is one of the keys to a successful campaign for us. Having 2 top wingbacks on the bench for the final 30 will be massive for us. With 5 subs you should rarely be expecting a player in such a demanding position to play the full 90.

Its a good situation with wing backs to have and does allow us to consider letting Shorrock out on loan to get more experience, if we could get him a lower League Two club for instance for 6 months to gain game time or even a top National League outfit, although I imagine we will hold off until we are out the BSM Trophy.

Now to sort out the central defence. I think one central and one left sided will be key to challenge Hall and Heneghan in those positions as not sure Hart is really League One level.

Add a number 10 and a striker and a keeper and we will  be good to go.