Mixed early season success for new Vale additions after summer overhaul

Port Vale lined up with a fairly unfamiliar starting XI against Cambridge on the opening day of the season – unsurprising following the 15 new additions that arrived as a result of Neil Aspin’s first summer in charge.

Of that starting line-up, five were new signings: Goalkeeper Scott Brown (Wycombe), Centre half Connell Rawlinson (TNS), Midfield duo Luke Joyce (Carlisle) and ‘Manny’ Oyeleke (Aldershot), and front man Ricky Miller (Peterborough).

Brown, Rawlinson and Joyce have quickly established themselves as key members of the new-look Vale spine – playing almost every minute of the season so far. However, Oyeleke has looked the best of the new additions, despite his early Vale career being hampered by a few niggling injuries.

But when Oyeleke has played, Vale have played well. Not only does he keep the ball well, and execute some nice short and long range passing, but he looks comfortable in carrying the ball forward – putting the team on the front foot in the process.

Its early days of course, but if he can keep himself fit then there’s no reason why Port Vale can’t have a good season. The fact that he has been in and out of the side is perhaps reflected in the consistency – or lack of – of Vale’s early results.

Ricky Miller has also endeared himself to fans with high-energy and enthusiasm – even if the former Dover striker can be a bit greedy at times.

The nippy forward enforces a ‘shoot on sight’ policy, and whilst this isn’t necessarily a bad attribute to have, there have been a few occasions where a pass would have created a better opportunity – specifically in the home game against Newport in which the side were a goal behind.

That being said, Miller came off the bench to make a difference in that game – as well as the following game against Forest Green – so it is hard to be too critical of a player who is clearly desperate to do well in the Football League.

Meanwhile, defender Leon Legge (Cambridge) and midfielder Tom Conlon (Stevenage) also look to be good signings by Aspin, whilst on loan youngsters Mitchell Clark and Lewis Hardcastle (Aston Villa and Blackburn respectively) have not looked out of place since making their Football League debuts.

However, there are perhaps a few additions that have raised questions about the management team’s recruitment policy.

Scott Quigley has yet to make a telling impact, despite the striker being given the chance off the bench in the opening few weeks.

Furthermore, certain players such as Theo Vassell, whom Aspin brought from his former club Gateshead, as well as Idris Kanu (on loan from Peterborough) have barely managed a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, local man Brendon Daniels was shipped straight back out on loan despite only being handed a six month contract when he arrived in the summer.

Admittedly, Daniels was perhaps given a contract to prove himself good enough, having spent his career to date outside of the Football League, but it seems odd to loan him back to the sixth tier of English football rather than coach him when his contract is so short term.

The other new recruit, if you can call him that, is attacking midfield player Louis Dodds – who returned to the club on loan after a two year stint away with Shrewsbury and Chesterfield.

Dodds became a fans favourite in his first spell, although splitting opinion among some supporters, in which he made 332 appearances over eight years, scoring 56 goals.

However he has yet to make the impact that Vale fans know he can in his five appearances so far this campaign.

As a forward combination, Dodds and Pope do not offer much in the way of pace. However, they proved a quality strike force in this league when the Vale were promoted in the 2012/13 season.

That season the pair were complimented by blistering pace on either wing through Ashley Vincent and Jennison Myrie-Williams, however there does not seem to be much pace in this Vale team this year – to the detriment of both Dodds and Port Vale.

The lack of pace in the forward line makes the exclusion of Kanu, who supposedly has pace to burn, as well as the omission of many natural wingers in the squad all the more baffling to many fans.

This is perhaps harsh on manager Aspin, who has done well with many of his signings so far. It is also worth remembering that Port Vale finished 21^st in the League last season – narrowly escaping relegation to non-league.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and after three seasons of completely overhauling the playing staff the only way to climb up the league is through a period of consistency and stability.

There’s a long way to go in this season, and fringe players will get their chance along the way. To gain some stability and build on the better players in the squad next season has to be the aim, even if it is an unspectacular aim for some.

words Alex Bettany, D3D4 Port Vale Correspondent