8 hours ago, MBE said:

The difference is chalk and cheese from the 80’s. I don’t think it’s comparable. 

The gap is massive now between all the leagues. 

The gap isn't that massive,  the issue in League 1 is it has become 2 mini leagues. There is/was a league for clubs with Championship budgets. There was a league for clubs with traditional league 1 budgets. In the relegation season we went down because we lost more games against equally average teams than we won. The gap between the top few sides in league 1 and league 2 is massive. The gap between the top few sides in league 1 and mid table league 1 is also massive.  However,  the other 3 relegated sides in league 2 this season all also struggled in the league below. Stockport and Wrexham are both bankrolled to a ridiculous degree. Mansfield finished mid table league 1, despite selling their best player to Barnsley.  The issue is how to do a Wycombe or an Orient and break into the top 8 without the same resources.  Without following either side I'd guess 2 things. Firstly some very astute signings. Secondly some luck with injuries as I'd be confident neither has the depth of squad as a team like Bolton. 

I’m off till August . Have a good summer , Vale fans. UTV !

3 hours ago, JRC said:

The gap isn't that massive,  the issue in League 1 is it has become 2 mini leagues. There is/was a league for clubs with Championship budgets. There was a league for clubs with traditional league 1 budgets. In the relegation season we went down because we lost more games against equally average teams than we won. The gap between the top few sides in league 1 and league 2 is massive. The gap between the top few sides in league 1 and mid table league 1 is also massive.  However,  the other 3 relegated sides in league 2 this season all also struggled in the league below. Stockport and Wrexham are both bankrolled to a ridiculous degree. Mansfield finished mid table league 1, despite selling their best player to Barnsley.  The issue is how to do a Wycombe or an Orient and break into the top 8 without the same resources.  Without following either side I'd guess 2 things. Firstly some very astute signings. Secondly some luck with injuries as I'd be confident neither has the depth of squad as a team like Bolton. 

Your post highlights the massive gap.

Northampton,Mansfield, Burton treading water. Exeter and Stevenage keep punching, Orient are the outlier. The rest all think they have a chance with big budgets to reach playoffs minimum.

I watched the JPT final and a few other L1 games this season, for me there is a gulf in class.

 

Edited May 5, 20251 yr by MBE

4 hours ago, JRC said:

The gap isn't that massive,  the issue in League 1 is it has become 2 mini leagues. There is/was a league for clubs with Championship budgets. There was a league for clubs with traditional league 1 budgets. In the relegation season we went down because we lost more games against equally average teams than we won. The gap between the top few sides in league 1 and league 2 is massive. The gap between the top few sides in league 1 and mid table league 1 is also massive.  However,  the other 3 relegated sides in league 2 this season all also struggled in the league below. Stockport and Wrexham are both bankrolled to a ridiculous degree. Mansfield finished mid table league 1, despite selling their best player to Barnsley.  The issue is how to do a Wycombe or an Orient and break into the top 8 without the same resources.  Without following either side I'd guess 2 things. Firstly some very astute signings. Secondly some luck with injuries as I'd be confident neither has the depth of squad as a team like Bolton. 

It was massive last time. 

This is why we have to be careful. As good as Stockley is, he was relegated from league 1 with Fleetwood. There’s clearly a gulf in class, we witnessed it last time. 

I do still believe we need a quality first team keeper, Amos is decent but I don’t think he’s a starter week in week out at league 2. 
At least 2 starting centre backs. All 3 starting centre backs are proven not to be at league 1 standard previously. Debrah has improved but then you have to question is that due to the standard or has he genuinely improved. I’m happy for him and Smith to be offered a deal but I’d hope as back up and move Hennegan on (another relegated from league 1 last time) 

A forward as good as / better than Stockley. Then probably another as it’s a risk to try Paton given it didn’t work out this season. 

Some pace, other than Richards I felt all season we lacked pace. Ideally a couple of forward thinking players with some pace - I’d like Richards to be brought in permanently, he can change games. 

Our side is much stronger than last time we were promoted but there’s still 4/5 places in that starting 11 I think we need to improve to have a decent season. 

11 hours ago, ValeForever. said:

Going to switch off from the football for a few weeks now, but before I do, I will say that I hope we push on again this summer & learn some lessons.

We need a new GK & a complete overhaul in defence. Our back line is not League 1 standard. 

I'd like a couple of additions in midfield/wing. Rico would be a great signing & I'd love to see us have a pop at getting Imray who has been at Bromley this year.

Couple of new faces up top as well would be ideal.

If we can add some pace to the side & a solid defence/GK, there's no reason we can't do well next season.

Big summer & I wouldnt be surprised to see us splash again!

Has anybody else heard the rumour that Carol has received an offer that is too good to ignore, to buy the club?

Not heard that rumour tbh but they go around,personally I cant see who would want to buy us for an offer to good to ignore(she is owed a lot is it around 20m now?) I always thought she would want to hand over to Patrick at some point,I just cant see who would want us right now with a lot of money,as usually you get a few whispers of interest first

11 hours ago, man in the pub said:

Saw a Stockport game earlier in the season, impressed me how well they kept the ball.

Challinor has been a fantastic manager for them,I am surprised he hasn't been poached from higher up,still only 49 and his stats have been superb at all his clubs

IF Clark was to leave and considering we have had players off them before then i really would be busting a gut to get Palace to let us have Imray for League one.... one of the most pacy and tricky wing backs i have seen this season

Different ball game altogether in league 1 as we have seen not that long ago although we did top it for about a hr before we played Burton .

I'm.sure DM and the club will do the best they can bring in players who can do well enough in this league .

Got the core of the team ok some players will be saying there goodbyes and be offered deals at other clubs ,some be moved on and some will want stay and may get new deals .

Last time in this league is irrelevant .

It's all about putting the results v Barnsley right .

I'd like them first home game .

It's about getting folk in ground 5830 season tickets soldalready but if you factor in clubs in league 1 travel relatively well your looking at 8 to 9000 already most home games 

But ultimately it's down to the ground work 

It's about bringing the right players in who have that league 1 know how 

Who they are well there's no one better than DM to get them players in 

Croasdale wasn't deemed good enough for league 1 for Stockport I'd say he is more than good enough for league 1,and he will prove it , Stockley will also be good enough ,for league 1 done  it at Charlton , Byers will excel as less likely be kicked off the pitch in league 1 and OArblaster could return if Sheffield Utd go up in play offs to aid his development, I think Walters will excel in league 1 too .

Well I'd say Tolajs movement and ability is championship level 

R Paton could excel in a 2 .

Ojo well the boy can pass a ball maybe Byers can bring best out of him .

Garrity well he is the captain he would be a great player for someone in championship ,as he leads he scores, well taken goals, and his work is generally consistent in a good way 

Chisletts off I'd keep Clark .

Leave the decisions of backline to the manager .

Debrah for me stays .

Smith has earnt  another deal .

Henegan well I like the fella think if remained fit we had of won the title ,losing him well theirs a saying you don't know what you have till it's not there.

He blocks shots. I don't personally think Grimsby goal number 1 goes in if he plays, nor that one sat where the nearest defender should have blocked it .

Anyway lets see 

Going be a exciting time especially if have new owners .

Things could well be happening .

Carol /Kevin done us PROUD. 

 

 

Edited May 5, 20251 yr by Dipepa delight

 

14 minutes ago, Dipepa delight said:

OArblaster could return if Sheffield Utd go up in play offs to aid his development,

There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Arblaster returns to Vale next season. 

Arblaster was the captain of Sheffield in the PL, no chance of him returning. 

15 hours 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?

 

I like this. I would personally add Debrah to the 2-year deals - he's been largely very good this year and grown in confidence, especially after he was rightfully dropped for a terrible run of games. However, he should still have his prime ahead of him at his age and I think he might be the only CB we have who can play multiple roles convincingly in either a 3 or a 2.

I can only see Smith and Croasdale as backups in League 1, as valuable as both have been in League 2. Maybe they both stay as good options for 20 minutes of holding a lead?

Halfway through the year, I'd have been 100% on Sang staying, but I'm beginning to think he's just not quite got enough defensive capability to play RCB, which is the only role in which he rises as high as even second choice. (I can see us starting with John-Debrah-Hall, but we need another strong ball-playing option in there.) Is adaptability and decent delivery enough to warrant a new contract?

I think the focus will be firmly on the defence this summer, because if we can play 3 at the back with more attacking wide CBs and push Headley/Shorrock and Clark/John further forward in a 343, or if we can switch to 4 at the back to play 4231 or a midfield diamond with 2 up front, we should pose more threat, which has been the biggest problem this year. If we can do either of those formations, it's a no-brainer to keep Curtis. If we play 352, I'm not sure how Curtis is best used.

For me, the priority, in order, is: Goalkeeper > Ball-playing defender(s) > Stockleyesque target man > one more box-to-box midfielder. Pace should be a major attribute for all three of those outfield roles too, so that they also offer something different to what we already have. 

55 minutes ago, VantaaVale said:

 

There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Arblaster returns to Vale next season. 

Once back from ACL he'll be back in their team whether that's the Premier league or The Championship. 

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If Notts County do not go up, maybe we could look at a loan deal for George Abbott