Port Vale Season Preview 2021/22: Time for a reboot

Port Vale started the 2020/21 season quite well but it soon became apparent that things were not quite right. An awful run led to some pertinent questions which paved the way for several important changes.

Given their new kit you could be forgiven for thinking this is the Bernabeu, not the Burslemabeu but, terrible jokes aside this season is the start of something much larger for Port Vale.

After John Askey’s departure the search for a new manager brought up some interesting conversations. You can imagine the owners being asked by their prospective candidates about the facilities and structures available to them should they get the job.

It laid bare to Carol Shanahan, Vale’s fantastic new owner, just how much work was needed to put this club in a position where they could really challenge. It was eventually announced that David Flitcroft would become director of football and Darrell Clarke would be the new manager after an agreement was reached with Walsall regarding compensation.

Clarke didn’t start his tenure well but finally found his mojo towards the end of the season, going on a run of nine without defeat including six straight wins before concluding the season with back-to-back defeats.

He worked out what he needed and thus a dozen new signings have been made to help push the Valiants forward. Clarke is a man who knows the level and will be determined to prove himself after an underwhelming spell at Walsall. His bristly character may rub people up the wrong way at times but, under these owners and with a good staff around him, he has a great opportunity to show what he’s truly made of.

The Squad

This might take a while…

David Flitcroft has had an extremely busy summer, making a dozen signings as Darrell Clarke overhauls his squad. There are two new goalkeepers with Torquay’s goalscoring Brazilian, Lucas Covolan, arriving to fight for the number one spot with former Mansfield youngster Aiden Stone.

Mal Benning and Dan ‘massive throw in’ Jones, both capable left-backs, have signed on from Mansfield and Salford respectively while Ryan Johnson, another left-back who can play in the middle, helped Hartlepool win promotion last season. Lewis Cass was also part of that successful Pools team and he’s been picked up on a loan deal from Newcastle.

Former Exeter and Oxford defender Aaron Martin arrives from Hamilton and the midfield has been added to with Ben Garrity and Tom Pett making switches from Blackpool and Stevenage.

In attack, Jamie Proctor adds his experience to the forward line, a player who, when fit, can be hard to handle. James Wilson, the former Manchester United starlet, was picked up following his release from Salford where he scored 10 goals in 35 appearances across two seasons (again, injuries are a concern).

Maybe the best news of the summer was seeing Tom Conlon sign a new deal at Vale Park. He was superb last season and is in his prime which should mean he keeps getting better. Darrell Clarke can also call upon the services of Nathan Smith, Devante Rodney and the always classy Mr Assist, David Worrall.

Newcomer to watch: Brad Walker

Brad Walker in League Two feels like a bit of a cheat code. The midfielder, who can also play in defence, was actually really good when he got the chance to play for Shrewsbury last season.

He was rarely used before injuries helped him force his way into the side, but when he did he was excellent. Unfortunately, he injured his ankle in Steve Cotterill’s first game in charge and missed the next three months, but could be a gem for Vale.

Verdict

With such a good end to last season and a number of exciting new signings it is easy to see why people might get carried away about Port Vale but, word of caution, this might need a bit of time to get right. With so many new faces it doesn’t always take off right away but if the  Valiants can keep pace with the top-seven, then you never know.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football