Byers is such a good footballer. His ability to create space for himself, remain calm on the ball and pretty much always find a team mate should not be underestimated. He is not a player to take people on or show ridiculous skill but in terms of ability to see 3 moves ahead, he's easily the best at the club. If he'd have been fit throughout the season, and Walters had played from the start, we'd have won the league at a canter.

30 minutes ago, werstayinup said:

I see that striker Olaofe has left Stockport for Charlton for a rumoured 1.5m and then Stockport break their record of 800k for Mothersille from Peterborough

Peterborough could be a candidate for the drop.

Very poor season last year and losing umpteen players in this window. 

Obviously they'll be buying players themselves too. But got a feeling they are no longer a force to be reckoned with. 

Edited July 2, 2025Jul 2 by darren1810

1 hour ago, JRC said:

It's not under 21 at the start of the season, they have to be under 21 on 1 Jan during the season. So anyone under 21 on 1 Jan 26 counts as under 21 next season.  Plant was born in November so counts as over 21. If we'd kept Tommy McDermott who was in the same school year but born in June he would count as under 21. 

Many thanks so as Plant counts as a senior player then that is the squad done in terms of 22 outfield players and for the Dutch striker on trial to get signed then someone probably Ojo would have to be unregistered and moved on while any loan plyers would have to be U21 players.

18 hours ago, osprey said:

He’ll have a riot there I think 

Did you predict that 😉

1 hour ago, werstayinup said:

I would just love to see us push the boat out and smash the ball out of the park to get Paterson(he can play in so many positions to start with) but as he is walking away he will have the choice of so many clubs even some probably in the Championship so i cant see that one sadly

I would love that too… but cant see us being able to afford him. 

Trying to think of a way we could snaffle him… could he be interested in becoming a coach. We haven’t replaced the 2 that left the coaching team yet… could we be waiting for Patterson.

Probably not… but nice to dream. 

27 minutes ago, Iron Curtain said:

I would love that too… but cant see us being able to afford him. 

Trying to think of a way we could snaffle him… could he be interested in becoming a coach. We haven’t replaced the 2 that left the coaching team yet… could we be waiting for Patterson.

Probably not… but nice to dream. 

I think Mike Done youth team coach will step up. Seen him in a couple of first team photos and tgey are advertising for a youth coach today. Just a thought.

Also known as Matt Done 😉

On 30/06/2025 at 20:41, Walka003 said:

Why? He started the season got dropped and got sent to Colchester at the first opportunity. He's been brilliant since he came back. 

He didn’t get dropped. You have a strange memory. 

21 minutes ago, tsproston said:

Also known as Matt Done 😉

Was a very decent striker a few years back wasn't he for Sheff United and Rochdale... sure it was him Alnwick made a stunning save from when we beat the Blades at home 2-1.

I think its telling that Vale didn't say that the last two signings completes their transfer business which they usually do when there aren't any more planned.

 

Regarding Walters/Byers etc in midfield all I will say is byers is proven his record speaks for itself and last season he contributed goals and assists. Walters struggled in league one last time, and got bullied a couple of times by stronger midfielders. He played well last season but scored no goals and I don't think he had any assists either so for me he is very much unproven at league level. Yes he was tidy, yes he seems to have become stronger on the ball and yes he does a few nice tricks/pirouettes but according to the stats byers contributes more. This is a big season for Walters if he wants to keep a spot in the midfield he has to add goals and assists to his game because there is a lot of competition. Personally I think he may start on the bench. 

 

Now don't overreact I know he has  a fan club on here I like him, he has potential but he needs to do more with the ball and until I see him doing that regularly Im not going to go overboard about him.

19 minutes ago, valefan16 said:

Was a very decent striker a few years back wasn't he for Sheff United and Rochdale... sure it was him Alnwick made a stunning save from when we beat the Blades at home 2-1.

Yeh Rochdale, thought he went Barnsley and then back to Rochdale, maybe wrong

39 minutes ago, kevin_struggles said:

I think its telling that Vale didn't say that the last two signings completes their transfer business which they usually do when there aren't any more planned.

Could still see a few leave yet at this point to make room for one or two improvements, I think most of us are thinking centre back at least as the main priority. 

26 minutes ago, NW9Valiant said:

Could still see a few leave yet at this point to make room for one or two improvements, I think most of us are thinking centre back at least as the main priority. 

With squads limited to 22 players you can only carry so many spares. There's also the cost element,  not just Carol's preparedness to fund the squad but also FFP regulations.  We've made a choice to overload on wingbacks (6 for 2 positions) and centreforwards (5 for 2 positions). There is never the perfect squad. At some point as fans and the manager will need to live with what we have. Players may leave but we did invest a lot in what the manager told us were league 1 players last season. Maybe some players will leave but they have the right to see out their contracts. There's little doubt our wage bill has increased significantly each of the last 2 seasons. We are probably at, or very close to, the limit on all 3 limits Moore is working to. Unless players choose to leave there's probably not much the manager has left. 

Edited July 2, 2025Jul 2 by JRC

IMHO Byers is the hub in midfield, the one who's always available, good positionally, reads the game, knows where he's gonna pass the ball before he receives it, he keeps the ball moving and generally dictates Vale's direction and pace of play, he's an upgrade on Tom Pett.  Just need to keep him fit.

It will be interesting this season to see how DM fits all the midfield pieces together. I agree with @Kevin_Steggles that I want to see more end product from Rhys Walters, assists, shots on goal, given his excellent play during the run in  last season there's every reason he can do his and more.

On paper Vale look solid, strong and balanced in midfield, especially with Shipley's shooting ability from outside the box, just need to show it in Lge 1.

1 hour ago, kevin_struggles said:

I think its telling that Vale didn't say that the last two signings completes their transfer business which they usually do when there aren't any more planned.

 

Regarding Walters/Byers etc in midfield all I will say is byers is proven his record speaks for itself and last season he contributed goals and assists. Walters struggled in league one last time, and got bullied a couple of times by stronger midfielders. He played well last season but scored no goals and I don't think he had any assists either so for me he is very much unproven at league level. Yes he was tidy, yes he seems to have become stronger on the ball and yes he does a few nice tricks/pirouettes but according to the stats byers contributes more. This is a big season for Walters if he wants to keep a spot in the midfield he has to add goals and assists to his game because there is a lot of competition. Personally I think he may start on the bench. 

 

Now don't overreact I know he has  a fan club on here I like him, he has potential but he needs to do more with the ball and until I see him doing that regularly Im not going to go overboard about him.

You cannot compare a 17yr old Walters in his first professional season compared to the Walters we have now. Still got a lot to learn but I’m confident he will handle division one.