There a few comments on here about James Plant. He turned 21 just before Christmas. There have been woefully few youth team players come through at the club since I started going at the end of the 72/73 season. In terms of age when the ones who made it really were regulars rather than bit part Gardner was the youngest at 19, followed by Mark Chamberlain at 20 (for that one season he was the best winger I've seen at the club by a mile but he was very in and out before). Both went on to play for England. The others really cemented their places between 21 and 22. Its coming close to decision time for James Plant but its not quite time yet. If you look at nearly all the players who have come through they've plugged holes in the team for the early part of their time. That's the life of young players.

Personally I don't think Plant does have the attributes to make it as an out and out attacking winger. He hasn't got the top end speed or the acceleration from a standing start. Both Harper and particularly Chamberlain were quicker and both had good careers, although Chamberlain did finish off playing some football at rightback after his hamstring issues slowed him down. He is blessed with a tremendous stamina. I would also assume he's physically stronger than last time he played for us. He's held his own as a regular start at National League level this season.  He should be both a stronger and better footballer for that. If I was Brady I'd probably leave him where he is for now but go and have a look at him a couple of times midweek.  You can recall non-league loans during the season.  There is a call to make with him at the end of the season, which will partly depend on which league we are in. That depends on whether he is good enough to be part of the matchday squad regularly. Again just a personal view but I think his physical attributes mean if he's going to make it then its at fullback or a box to box midfielder. Writing him off completely is premature as I suspect nobody has travelled to Yeovil to watch him. It's the best part of 2 years since we saw him play, dislocated shoulder, loan followed by injury last season and back to Yeovil again. 

I like shorrock but be serious, he isn't even starting for chester.  His time will come but it isn't yet.

Okay, I'll settle for Wayne filling in till then. Unless we get someone in the window [emoji2956]

19 minutes ago, JRC said:

There a few comments on here about James Plant. He turned 21 just before Christmas. There have been woefully few youth team players come through at the club since I started going at the end of the 72/73 season. In terms of age when the ones who made it really were regulars rather than bit part Gardner was the youngest at 19, followed by Mark Chamberlain at 20 (for that one season he was the best winger I've seen at the club by a mile but he was very in and out before). Both went on to play for England. The others really cemented their places between 21 and 22. Its coming close to decision time for James Plant but its not quite time yet. If you look at nearly all the players who have come through they've plugged holes in the team for the early part of their time. That's the life of young players.

Personally I don't think Plant does have the attributes to make it as an out and out attacking winger. He hasn't got the top end speed or the acceleration from a standing start. Both Harper and particularly Chamberlain were quicker and both had good careers, although Chamberlain did finish off playing some football at rightback after his hamstring issues slowed him down. He is blessed with a tremendous stamina. I would also assume he's physically stronger than last time he played for us. He's held his own as a regular start at National League level this season.  He should be both a stronger and better footballer for that. If I was Brady I'd probably leave him where he is for now but go and have a look at him a couple of times midweek.  You can recall non-league loans during the season.  There is a call to make with him at the end of the season, which will partly depend on which league we are in. That depends on whether he is good enough to be part of the matchday squad regularly. Again just a personal view but I think his physical attributes mean if he's going to make it then its at fullback or a box to box midfielder. Writing him off completely is premature as I suspect nobody has travelled to Yeovil to watch him. It's the best part of 2 years since we saw him play, dislocated shoulder, loan followed by injury last season and back to Yeovil again. 

One note on this Plants loan is actually up this month. If I remember rightly his contract runs through 2027 so would either offer Yeovil an opportunity to take him permanently or if not see if can send him to a L2 side and see if he can play at that level as he’s untested even there. Personally I just think it’s unlikely he makes it here now as harsh as it sounds.

Most transfer fees are paid in installments these days.

No way will Plymouth pay £500K. I heard it was £100K which tbh isn't bad for a player not used and when he was it was in a position he isn't familiar with.

Argyle fully except Tolaj to move on in the summer ,Celtic,Portsmouth and other Championship clubs circling already.

The big question is will Curtis improve Plymouth. These are our relegation rivals FFS if the answer is yes and we have not got a better replacement don’t sell and utilise at the Vale.

Edited January 9Jan 9 by sheffieldclayhead

4 hours ago, Powerline said:

I disagree that he was performing well in the first team. He had a good game away at MK. Good goal against Crewe but was crap for the rest of the game. A few other decent moments, but there were a lot of other games where he was crap and gave the ball away constantly.

I’m not sure why a player who wasn’t good enough to play a lot last season in a lower league, and can’t get in a side 3 divisions below, is now being considered the answer.

And this isn’t me writing Shorrock off. He’s still young. But currently I’ve seen nothing to suggest that he’s anywhere near the required level.

I agree it’s not the right time to bring him back at the position we currently find ourselves in. However, my Chester sporting mate states that Shorrock has played well whenever he’s played, but the problem is, the Chester managers son is their left back and he picks him over Shorrock! Find Shorrock a new lon club where he can get development minutes - he’s certainly one for the future he’s proved that already

10 hours ago, NW9Valiant said:

Strange flex to say he's not been a good player for the position you want him in, when he's amazingly not been playing there most of the time... 

There's little doubt in my mind that he can perform there if we played him there and anything in the past under Moore is in the past - but it's really a question of how he feels. Is he up for it, or would he rather a fresh start and new environment.

The few times he’s played as a left winger he hasn’t set the world alight the same as every position he has played in. 

57 minutes ago, sheffieldclayhead said:

The big question is will Curtis improve Plymouth. These are our relegation rivals FFS if the answer is yes and we have not got a better replacement don’t sell and utilise at the Vale.

We have a big squad and the manager needs to wheel and deal to get what he wants. Plymouth had an awful start but on recent form since Derek Adams went as director of football theirs not much chance they'll go down. I'd also imagine he's a high earner, which is an issue if Brady doesn't see him as a first name on his teamsheet.

i assume the delay in Curtis going to Plymouth is the fact Vale have not been paid the latest instalment on the Tolaj fee.

21 minutes ago, JRC said:

We have a big squad and the manager needs to wheel and deal to get what he wants. Plymouth had an awful start but on recent form since Derek Adams went as director of football theirs not much chance they'll go down. I'd also imagine he's a high earner, which is an issue if Brady doesn't see him as a first name on his teamsheet.

Good point never thought of that scenario 

1 hour ago, trentvale said:

i assume the delay in Curtis going to Plymouth is the fact Vale have not been paid the latest instalment on the Tolaj fee.

Is that true? 

2 minutes ago, valefan16 said:

Is that true? 

There has to be a mole at the club the amount of stuff that leaks out. 

Curtis is a winger with no pace.

He can put a decent cross in sometimes.

Has a lot of passion.

Am 'indifferent' if he stays or goes.

7 minutes ago, darren1810 said:

There has to be a mole at the club the amount of stuff that leaks out. 

Adrian, aged 53 and ¾.

No Jesse Debrah in the squad tonight. York were previously interested in him, so maybe they’ve come back in for him. No doubt we’ll find out soon enough. In terms of club PR, ideally they’ll probably want to announce incomings before outgoings. It also doesn’t send a message to selling clubs that we’ll be a bit desperate to pay for players in certain positions.