Yesterday highlighted the need for a viable option to Stockley should he be injured or needs a rest/is out of form and needs rotating.

I'd have us put a cheeky bid in for Rico. 

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Osh

3 hours ago, Doha said:

Sheff Wed OOC - 

 

Huddersfield OOC - 

Tom Lees could be a possibility. Good experience at Champs level. May have a year or so left in him although 35 in November? Although he would have played under Moore at Sheff Wed and Huddersfield he didn't sign him at either though

33 minutes ago, Osh said:

I'd have up put a cheeky bid in for Rico. 

That wouldn't shock me if we did mate

Carol is prepared to back DM again with transfer fees being paid if needed and he has a lot of potential

Does anyone know anything about the young lad who came on the pitch yesterday after being offered his first pro deal

I wonder if he is the only one to be offered terms this season from the Academy 

A few rumours yesterday about a couple of Championship clubs have been watching Tolaj

This is what I would do:

Renew:

2 years

John and Clarke. Lockdown the right side of the team for several seasons.

1 year prove it deal.

Deb -  I personally don’t see enough from him that he could develop to be good enough at L1 playing as a wide centre back however he’s got good physical presence in both boxes and has pace to recover which will be important in L1. A switch to middle CB I think would suit him better.

Sang - Good squad player. Allows us to spread the playing budget. RCB,RWB and CM backup.

Release:

Smudge- Sorry. Love him. Had a tear in my eye yesterday felt like a goodbye. Not many strikers in L1 want to just play up against you - L1 style not his game.

Lowe - Father Time caught up with him. Seems like a really genuine top lad but he can’t cover the pitch quickly enough.

Harper- Should have been one of the best midfielders in L2 with his attributes. One of the few disappointing signings but then there was a reason he was free in October. 

Chislett- Talk about flattered to deceive for 2 years. 

Transfer List:

Hart - Fits and starts did OK but writing on the wall when he’s struggled to make matchday squads when fit.

Listen to offers:

Heneghan, Croasdale ,Curtis - happy to keep all 3 but if a decent offer came in I’d be happier to do a deal.

Loan Out: 

Paton - got find a loan partner in L2 to see if he can hack it.

Shopping List: 

GK Genuine 1st team competition for Amos.

CB 1st teamer

LCB Backup

CM: 1st teamer

2x Wingers Desperately need lads with pace. Happy if Rico is one of those.

1x ST Need genuine alternative to Stockley

Would also love to see James Plant given an opportunity in pre season. Can he be a good backup for Clarke?

 

I wouldn't mind signing Rico, his driving forward is genuinely great, not least as his ball control and technique can be fantastic - at times he's looked better than Wilson, who was the tidiest player on the ball for Vale I can remember in a very, very long time. But, he needs to strengthen up. Maybe not as much as he absolutely would in L2, but to get to that next level he needs to get stronger when jostling. I want to see him ratting a lot more too, sometimes after turning over possession he gives the impression he's not bothered, as in it's just a training match or something; He just kind of comes to a halt, while the ball is still live within a few yards of him. That can be frustrating.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Doha

We're definitely stronger than when we went up in 2022. A permanently crocked James Wilson and an ageing Worrall were 2 of our best players.

However, we need to improve significantly and not be over sentimental. We made that mistake last time and the squad was never good enough. 80 points is pretty low for an automatic promotion.

I love Croasdale but is he technically good enough for league 1? Are Smudger and Hall good enough for league 1? They both struggled last time. Stockley is great at league 2 level but is he good enough to be 1st choice at the level above. I think Tolaj, Walters, Headley, Garrity and Clark are more than good enough....not sure about the rest. I'd expect probably 5 different starters minimum come our team for the 1st game in August.

The guys we have have been great league 2 players but league 1 is a real step up.

17 minutes ago, leedsvaliant said:

We're definitely stronger than when we went up in 2022. A permanently crocked James Wilson and an ageing Worrall were 2 of our best players.

However, we need to improve significantly and not be over sentimental. We made that mistake last time and the squad was never good enough. 80 points is pretty low for an automatic promotion.

I love Croasdale but is he technically good enough for league 1? Are Smudger and Hall good enough for league 1? They both struggled last time. Stockley is great at league 2 level but is he good enough to be 1st choice at the level above. I think Tolaj, Walters, Headley, Garrity and Clark are more than good enough....not sure about the rest. I'd expect probably 5 different starters minimum come our team for the 1st game in August.

The guys we have have been great league 2 players but league 1 is a real step up.

Stockley has scored goals in league 1 in the past, and also played a couple seasons in the championship. It’s just whether age will catch up with him.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Powerline

11 hours ago, Doha said:

No no no no no 

Sans and had such a bad season in 23/24 that he was obviously targeted by opposition managers.  He looked much fitter and improved this year, and has been unlucky with injuries and 2 awful sending off decisions, but still has a catastrophic mistake in him (Chesterfield away).
In his favour he can play in several positions, but will probably be no better than 3rd choice in each.

 

1 hour ago, Powerline said:

With the greatest respect to him,  I’ve not seen a single thing from Debrah that suggests he could ever make championship level. There’s also nothing clear to show he can definitely cut it at league 1. How do we know his improvements this season aren’t down to it being league 2?

Jesse Debrah played his few seasons of football experience in non-League prior to joining Vale.

And was then dropped straight into a torrid EFL1 season, two levels above anything he’d previously experienced.

It’s a wonder he didn’t struggle even more than was the case.

This completed EFL2 season has done wonders for him, he’s visibly grown in every department, and I confidently expect Jesse to perform very well in the coming EFL1 season.

27 minutes ago, leedsvaliant said:

We're definitely stronger than when we went up in 2022. A permanently crocked James Wilson and an ageing Worrall were 2 of our best players.

However, we need to improve significantly and not be over sentimental. We made that mistake last time and the squad was never good enough. 80 points is pretty low for an automatic promotion.

I love Croasdale but is he technically good enough for league 1? Are Smudger and Hall good enough for league 1? They both struggled last time. Stockley is great at league 2 level but is he good enough to be 1st choice at the level above. I think Tolaj, Walters, Headley, Garrity and Clark are more than good enough....not sure about the rest. I'd expect probably 5 different starters minimum come our team for the 1st game in August.

The guys we have have been great league 2 players but league 1 is a real step up.

Fantastic post.

Whilst as you say, we are better off in a lot of areas than we were before, still need to strengthen no doubt.  League one is going to be tough next season:

Plymouth will be a tough nut to crack as they finished strong and sure will add some depth. Cardiff will be better than people might assume I think; same for Luton. Reading under new owners finally so who knows, whoever loses in the playoffs, etc.

Need to add another consistent attacking threat to work alongside Tolaj, as well as shore up our defense a bit.  Loans are a decent way to do this as do not see Carol willing to spend a ton; that is fine as I think Moore can shape anyone into a reputable player.

My early goal and mindset is to finish in the top 14 at worst and then go from there.

 

Exciting times ahead.

50 minutes ago, MBE said:

This is what I would do:

Renew:

2 years

John and Clarke. Lockdown the right side of the team for several seasons.

1 year prove it deal.

Deb -  I personally don’t see enough from him that he could develop to be good enough at L1 playing as a wide centre back however he’s got good physical presence in both boxes and has pace to recover which will be important in L1. A switch to middle CB I think would suit him better.

Sang - Good squad player. Allows us to spread the playing budget. RCB,RWB and CM backup.

Release:

Smudge- Sorry. Love him. Had a tear in my eye yesterday felt like a goodbye. Not many strikers in L1 want to just play up against you - L1 style not his game.

Lowe - Father Time caught up with him. Seems like a really genuine top lad but he can’t cover the pitch quickly enough.

Harper- Should have been one of the best midfielders in L2 with his attributes. One of the few disappointing signings but then there was a reason he was free in October. 

Chislett- Talk about flattered to deceive for 2 years. 

Transfer List:

Hart - Fits and starts did OK but writing on the wall when he’s struggled to make matchday squads when fit.

Listen to offers:

Heneghan, Croasdale ,Curtis - happy to keep all 3 but if a decent offer came in I’d be happier to do a deal.

Loan Out: 

Paton - got find a loan partner in L2 to see if he can hack it.

Shopping List: 

GK Genuine 1st team competition for Amos.

CB 1st teamer

LCB Backup

CM: 1st teamer

2x Wingers Desperately need lads with pace. Happy if Rico is one of those.

1x ST Need genuine alternative to Stockley

Would also love to see James Plant given an opportunity in pre season. Can he be a good backup for Clarke?

 

Agree with most of that, although I would keep Smith, release Sang and if Chislett wants to stay I’d be keeping him, I’d also loan Shorrock out. 
Need a RCB, Midfielder, Goalkeeper and 2 center forwards, don’t think we need a winger as we don’t play that system.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by philpvfc

8 minutes ago, philpvfc said:

Agree with most of that, although I would keep Smith, release Sang and if Chislett wants to stay I’d be keeping him, I’d also loan Shorrock out. 
Need a RCB, Midfielder, Goalkeeper and 2 center forwards, don’t think we need a winger as we don’t play that system.

I flip flopped on Sang but think his versatility clinched it rather than being outstanding at one particular thing.

I would like to see wingers as an alternative to 352 and allows us to manage games in a different way. Got to get pace into this team.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by MBE