Martin Tideswell: Window slams shut and key assets remain at Vale Park
SO we are still blessed. Tom Pope didn't leave Burslem during the transfer window for £50 and a dozen oatcakes.
How about that? 'Vale hang on to key players shock'.
As Norman Smurthwaite asked back in November: 'Port Vale isn't in a distressed state so why would we sell our best assets?'
It didn't stop the rumour mill, of course, but we are lucky that Pope himself is hell-bent on being the man to fire his home-town club to promotion.
Bissell's 8910E Aroma Pro is the ultimate in home cleaning giving you a machine that provides outstanding results when not just cleaning carpets but stairs and upholstery too.
Terms: Limited Stock Offer . FREE Delivery to most UK postcodes.
Contact: 01664 491439
Valid until: Tuesday, May 28 2013
The fact that he remains a Vale player until the end of the season at least is absolutely massive.
Yes, I'd feel better if he was contracted until the end of next season – as the chairman indicated some time ago – but I guess we have to trust that this will come to pass.
I understand why contract talks are on hold for the rest of the squad – as whether or not we are in League One will obviously have a bearing on things.
My only hope is that the likes of Jennison Myrie-Williams, Ashley Vincent, Louis Dodds, Ben Williamson, Ryan Burge and Doug Loft are all still playing alongside Pope at Vale Park come August.
As it is, smart business during January has seen the new owners give Micky Adams the backing to build a squad which is very capable of seeing us over the line.
Since the televised game away at AFC Wimbledon, where Popey's equaliser salvaged a point for us, results have gone for Vale.
We now have a really good cushion between us and the teams in fourth spot and below, as well as games in hand over some of them.
Two eminently-winnable home games in quick succession – against Accrington and AFC Wimbledon – give us the chance to put even more daylight between us and the chasing pack.
I'll be honest – I'm not fussed if we finish first or third so long as we go straight up and I suspect most fans aren't either.
So long as we avoid the lottery of the play-offs I'll be happy. Winning the title would simply be the icing on the cake.
The manager is understandably playing down expectations and taking each game as it comes.
But he will know that every three points ratchets up that expectation because it takes us one step closer to the promotion dream.
I believe in Micky Adams and this squad.
We shouldn't be afraid of any team in this league. We can beat anyone.
Now let's go and finish this.
5 Comments
by kjhgfd
Saturday, February 02 2013, 8:42AM
“DONT TAKE MUCH GET YOU DIV 2 FANS GOING DOES IT ,BUT THEN AGAIN YOUR NOT GETTING MUCH EXCITIMENT IN THE FOOTBALL ......BARNET ..BURTON ..AC WIMBLEDON..BIG TEAMS HA HA”
by algy7
Friday, February 01 2013, 7:58PM
“kjhgfd,
you really do take the biscuit. I'll give you a tip, keep your mouth shut and give your back-side a chance, the same stuff comes out anyway !.
The only "premier" league player who could score goals in league 2 would be someone called Walters with the suffix OG after his name.”
by kjhgfd
Friday, February 01 2013, 3:39PM
“pope may score goals but imagine how many goals premier league players would score in that div 2 circus ,,not suprised no one wanted him, stay where you are popey its the only glory your going to get”
by Nicko12324
Friday, February 01 2013, 10:44AM
“I had some on at 40/1,VFR! here's hoping....come on Vale.”
by Valeforreally
Friday, February 01 2013, 9:49AM
“Speak for yourself Mr Tideswell. I want Vale to be champions having had a bet on them to top that league at the start of the season when they were at 25/1 and no one was giving them a chance. Now that is loyalty (or insight).”