Port Vale: Glover ready to shield youngsters from fan anger
by Steve Shaw
PORT Vale boss Dean Glover claims he has been forced to shield his talented youngsters from the anger of fans frustrated by the club's downward spiral.
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Dean Glover will attempt to shield the club's younger players from the unrest among supporters
Former youth players James Lawrie, Chris Martin, Danny Glover, Ross Davidson and Simon Richman have all struggled to nail down a regular first-team place this season.
They have only managed 11 starts between them since the turn of the year, the same time as some fans have turned against Glover and the club's board.
While Glover's faith in his youngsters has not wavered, he admits blooding them in a team with only six home victories this season has proved a difficult task.
He explained said: "I would have liked to have developed them more this year.
"But it's been quite hostile at times at home and it's not easy coming into a team that is not doing well. It's better to bed your kids into a successful side because it's easier for them.
"They are having to learn in the hardest way possible because our home results have been bad and we have frustrated supporters.
"So I've had to protect them of late because it has got a little bit hostile around our ground."
Glover failed in his attempt to recruit a new signing before yesterday's deadline for loan moves expired.
A deal to bring in an attacking midfielder fell through yesterday afternoon after loanee Kevin Gall returned to Carlisle with an injured calf.
Glover's failure to bolster his squad for the season's run-in prompted him to withdraw Lawrie from the Northern Ireland under-21 squad preparing for a friendly against Ukraine on March 31.
The 18-year-old will now remain with Vale to boost Glover's attacking options ahead of tomorrow's League Two clash at Chesterfield.
Meanwhile, Glover has agreed to extend Kyle Perry's loan spell at Northwich Victoria for a further month.
The striker's one-month loan deal with the Blue Square Premier strugglers runs out on April 4. He has hit two goals in four appearances for Vics.
Centre-half Gareth Owen could resume training in two weeks after injuring ankle ligaments in the 1-0 home defeat by Dagenham earlier this month.
The 26-year-old has responded well to treatment and is on course for an early return.
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by alexander, marchington
Saturday, March 28 2009, 9:28AM
“We fans go along to see and expect effort ,pride and a little skill we dont boo from the offset. The team make or break themselves by lack of these areas. We do not blame the team for the managers short coming,sadly some of the youngster are not up to scratch just lack some of the experienced players.to complete in this league we need big strong and determined players with pace we dont have any but the rest in this league seem to have in abundance.Sweep the management out and bring in fresh blood.ps see you at Chesterfield.”
by Paul, Talke
Friday, March 27 2009, 3:42PM
“If Mr Glover wish's to protect and develop our young players then he should do the right thing. GO NOW. He and Ray Williams have to accept their part in the current situation.
Martin Foyle had a succesful Youth Team and so did Andy Porter. NOW TELL ME WHAT MR GLOVERS ACHIEVEMENTS ARE AT PORT VALE since he stopped playing ????????????”
by Dan, Biddulph
Friday, March 27 2009, 3:20PM
“If half the players that represent the vale were not as gutless as Glover, then the fans wouldn't get on there backs. I am SICK TO DEATH of the fans getting all the stick. The fans only complain when our players don¿t give there best. I have never heard anyone getting on the backs at the young players, except one small exclusive which is Anyon has had stick, however as a goal keeper, if you make mistakes that will always happen, regardless of your age. What other young players have had grief. (Are the fans not shouting to give Richman a shot every week, are the fans not saying don¿t extend galls loan, give Lawrie a chance?). Glover understand one thing and that one thing, will make you a better man and make vale a better club, when your players are showing no interest in games, playing with no passion, not showing for the ball and get outplayed and out fought by clubs who bring away gates of 50 (Dagenham) and have home gates of 1000 (accrington) then they will get grieve. When these players play with passion, shape and use there ability the fans will be behind you, no end. Its not a matter of money, it should be a matter of pride and from what I see, the majority of the players of which one¿s you have also signed, show no pride and do not seem bothered by our current plight. Proove me wrong, please¿..”
by Ian, Birches head
Friday, March 27 2009, 3:02PM
“Your having a laugh Glover,
If you cant bring youngsters into a team that has only won 6 games at home then its your fault because your responsible for us losing so many games.
Theres nothing to cheer Glover, believe me we wish there was.
If they have to wait until we have a successful team before they can play they wont be playing until you have gone.”
by Ian, Fegg Hayes
Friday, March 27 2009, 1:55PM
“Wake up Glover stop blaming the fans most of us want to see Lawrie, Martin and Richman but you don't play them then blame fans reaction at games. We are mad yes but at you and your stupid way of picking players or tactics you choose during games.
You say were a depleated squad but want to get rid of players, well surly it's best to have them just in case than moan and struggle and say to fans who get at you "well this is all i have to work with".
Grow a back bone Glover or get out and maybe let Downing have a go without predudice to players.”