Paton last night had a fantastic game I thought and I for one would very like him on a permanent basis.
Last nights game was a good advert for Scottish football.
Worth pointing out that St Johnstone had been top since the first game.
You must have very good players if you can do without Ruiri.
Good luck.

The problem is we haven't. Glad to hear he's enjoying his football. He deserves a good run, always gives his all

On 20/04/2026 at 13:30, Rampant Zebra said:

Too much turnover. He only wants people who agree with him, which meant that any strong characters were persuaded to leave. Which costs money which could be better employed elsewhere. A good manager would utilise assets rather than waste them. Jake Taylor is a good example...

Using Jake Taylor has your 'good' example. Whilst I enjoyed Taylor, he could barely keep fit and the evidence since his departure backs up that it was the right call to release him. I will agree on something DC is 100% a better manager than DM

Paton has had some moments but he's just not got the sharp footballing brain that you need to play English league football. Watch him compared to say Billy Sharp.....both a similar style of player and similar stature. Look at Sharp's movement and awareness and then compare it to Paton. You just can't teach that and our managers have seen it too.

We want him to come good for us because he's a likeable bloke. If he had the attitude of Shipley or Cole I'd guarantee nobody would want him back.

The predisposition of many Vale fans is to value a character who tries hard over someone like Constantine, who acts with a bit of a chip on his shoulder but actually contributes in a meaningful way.

I agree that Paton hasn't had much of a chance in the grand scheme of things but 2 managers have decided he's not up to it and I'm yet to see an awful lot to disagree with them on that.

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3 hours ago, Brian Johnson said:

are you saying that both Darren Moore and Jon Brady are wrong about him?

Yes.

2 hours ago, Wrex said:

What? How are they Wikipedia scouts if they are judging him by what he has done at Vale Park!?

Judging by what? A handful of minutes/games often out of position?

He'd be good in L2.

Cracking header from Paton (weirdly similar to the McPhee v Stoke 2001 goal I mentioned on here the other day).

And an assist for the first. 

I doubt he'll be back in a Vale shirt after Brady's comments about his fitness at the initial fans forum, so hopefully last night will have increased his suitors and therefore any fee we can recoup. 

4 hours ago, maccapvfc said:

Exactly this. A release clause is activated when they meet the release clause but if it’s not paid in full, negotiations can take place - thus you’d imagine a percentage sell on inserted as per comms from the club. 
 

I’ve seen Cleverly has stated they’ve not had any offers for him and that’s he’s very happy where he is….he was very happy with us but jumped at the first sign of further money and advancing his career…so Plymouth shouldn’t hold their breath - unless they manage to go up through the play offs!

100%

He wont want to be playing in league One next season

Regards Paton if St Johnstone want him then let him go for a nominal fee or base it on how he does in the SPL where he is very unproven as he didn’t exactly tear up many trees at Dundee Utd last time round. It’s been two years now and no closer to knowing even what sort of player he is never mind is he up to it. I just think it’s best for all parties to make an amicable parting in the summer.

3 hours ago, worldsendvalefan said:

7 hours ago, akuram said:

Paton last night had a fantastic game I thought and I for one would very like him on a permanent basis.
Last nights game was a good advert for Scottish football.
Worth pointing out that St Johnstone had been top since the first game.
You must have very good players if you can do without Ruiri.
Good luck.

The problem is we haven't. Glad to hear he's enjoying his football. He deserves a good run, always gives his all

Not according to Jon Brady who at the meeting described him as lazy. I very much doubt we will see him in a game shirt again. I Wish him all the best however. 

2 hours ago, valeparklife said:

Judging by what? A handful of minutes/games often out of position?

He'd be good in L2.

yeah but you called them Wikipedia scouts. Which makes no sense seen as they are basing their opinions off what they've seen of him in person

On 20/04/2026 at 14:35, Guppys left peg said:

Name one player he let go that went on to do better elsewhere…

 

On 20/04/2026 at 16:23, Rampant Zebra said:

That McKirdy chap scored 22 goals for Swindon the season after we let him go... 

Wasn't McKirdy first transfer-listed by John Askey?

Then deselected entirely from the squad by Danny Pugh?

Before Darrell Clarke ever arrived at the club.

46 minutes ago, sandyford_valiant said:

Not according to Jon Brady who at the meeting described him as lazy. I very much doubt we will see him in a game shirt again. I Wish him all the best however. 

I presume he must be referring to training, as I never saw him being close to the word lazy on the pitch 

3 hours ago, jjvale_03 said:

I doubt he'll be back in a Vale shirt after Brady's comments about his fitness at the initial fans forum, so hopefully last night will have increased his suitors and therefore any fee we can recoup. 

Unfortunately he is/will be in his final year (2027 expiry), it's probably quite obvious to clubs Brady doesn't want him, which doesn't help our negotiating position in getting a good fee (or necessarily any)

Edited April 22Apr 22 by NW9Valiant

3 minutes ago, Alan Vit said:

 

Wasn't McKirdy first transfer-listed by John Askey?

Then deselected entirely from the squad by Danny Pugh?

Before Darrell Clarke ever arrived at the club.

Mckirdy is a really strange one. No doubting he has the skill but always seemed to blow it wherever he went. Also had to be played a certain way, (on the break) which didn't seem to happen at Vale. But really that was his problem to adjust to the teams style of play. I know he could really be annoying, just a shame we could never harness his ability

4 minutes ago, worldsendvalefan said:

I presume he must be referring to training, as I never saw him being close to the word lazy on the pitch 

Possibly the issue because none of us see what any of the players give in training,it might also be how he comes across,I remember when he was talking about being up there he mentioned that they get his humour at the club,perhaps we dont or it winds a few up??