As the dust finally settles after quite the hectic last few Months, the realisation strikes me that as of the 09th of June I believe we have twelve first team players on the books, a number that could rise to thirteen if Mal Benning puts pen to paper. Unlike some, this doesn’t scare me per say, but what it does do is focus the mind as to where Vale need to strengthen as they look forward to the 2023/24 League One Season.
Now the obvious response is EVERYWHERE and whilst this is true there are a couple of areas where Vale aren’t a threadbare as some might think. Let’s take a walk through the Team and see what’s needed.
Goalkeepers
Aiden Stone remains on the books for another season and having played twenty-six games and dislodged Oxford Loanee Jack Stephens from the No.1 spot in Mid-February, he would probably consider himself the Club’s first choice. But it was Stephens that played twenty-seven games, one more than Stone during the gruelling season, indeed Stephens conceded less goals (thirty-four to thirty-seven) and kept more clean sheets (eight to five) so it seems neither Keeper really tied down the faith of former Manager Darrell Clarke or his replacement Andy Crosby.
So, given the lack of two senior goal keepers at the Club, it is obvious that Vale need to bring in at least one, but I think it highly likely the Vale will hope to bring in someone experienced at League One (or higher) with Stone likely to provide the competition for places.
Central Defenders
No one is quite sure how Andy Crosby will line Vale up this season ahead, but should Vale retain the three Centre Back system, Vale do seem blessed with a number of players that can fill the positions. Dan Jones, fresh from a two-year contract extension seems likely to join Nathan Smith filling two of the roles leaving the likes of Lewis Cass and Will Forrester to fight for the remaining spot.
I don’t think it will be as easy as that though and I think it likely that Vale will move to bring in a senior pro, a Leon Legge type player, to add steel to a sometimes light weight backline that also lacks height for set pieces.
Wing Backs
With the departure of Vale legend Dave Worrall and wing backs such as Sammy Robinson, Vale are certainly short of Wing Backs, especially if Mal Benning chooses to move to pastures new. Vale will certainly need to replace both sides of the field and although Forrester / Cass can play on the right and Jones the left, I full expect to see new faces fill the starting berths when the season starts in August.
Midfield
Maybe the find of the season for Vale last season was Tommy McDermott and although I think it unlikely he will start the season, I really hope that the Youth Team graduate is part of the First Team plans when we get underway. A fresh season may also offer Club Captain Tom Conlon a new opportunity to excel in the middle of the Park, the Skipper came into the season off the back of a significant injury and didn’t seem to catch up, but hopefully there will be opportunity for Vale fans to see the Captain that has carried the Club forward on many occasions in previous seasons.
Ben Garrity having resigned will half be expecting to be a regular starter as will Funso Ojo but I again expect Vale to try and strengthen in the middle of the Park. On the plus side any addition would need to strengthen the First Team and Vale should not be looking to fill the squad in this position, the signing of a creative player or a dynamic ball winner would be transformational to a team that struggle with consistent performers in the midfield last season.
Forwards
Another diamond in the rough was the elevation of James Plant from the Youth Team (and a somewhat combative loan move which he relished) to the starting line up up front for the Valiants. Again, it would be asking far too much of the youth graduate to start every game in the season ahead but given the departure of James Wilson and Jamie Proctor Vale find themselves threadbare up front and Vale look set to rely heavily on Ellis Harrison through preseason as Vale add to their numbers.
It seems likely that Vale will look to bring at least two strikers to the Club, probably a similar player to Harrison to provide cover as well as being able to hold the ball up with his back to goal, as well as typical No.10, but the recruitment of players with the quality of Wilson for example will be difficult especially given the budget that Vale would be operating under.
Suggested Additions
GK
LWB & RWB
CB
CM* 2
CF*2
This also allows for scope for a few loan players to bolster the Squad for the season ahead.
So, what do you think? Please feel free to comment via our Moorlands Sport social Media links, be it Facebook or Twitter?
