Port Vale: Prove your worth or go, Adams tells under fire squad
by Steve Shaw
FRUSTRATED Port Vale boss Micky Adams has challenged his transfer-listed squad to take their first steps towards redemption against Accrington Stanley tomorrow night.
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Adams will take the drastic step of making his entire 26-man squad available for transfer today as a response to Saturday's dismal 3-1 defeat at Notts County.
While Adams criticised his players' lack of desire at Meadow Lane, he also urged them to start proving their worth when Accrington visit Vale Park tomorrow (7.45pm).
Adams said: "If people think I'm kidding, we'll see. I think we needed to do something drastic to wake people up.
"If they're good enough they'll stay here; if they're not, then they'll go. We will welcome bids for any player, which is a bit harsh on Joe Anyon because he's only just got fit.
"This might come back and kick me in the teeth. If that's the case, and the players don't make any effort, then the fans will see that."
Anyon returned to Vale's first-team bench on Saturday for the first time since breaking his leg six months ago.
Vale cannot actually sell players until the transfer window reopens in January, but they are able to loan them out until a permanent deal can then be agreed.
Adams lost patience with his squad after seeing them stumble to a third successive defeat after home and away reverses to Bury and Scunthorpe respectively.
The previous week they suffered a home defeat against Bury before they crashed out of the Carling Cup at Scunthorpe last Tuesday.
Lee Hughes grabbed a first-half brace before Vale defender Lee Collins scored an own goal after the break.
Striker Marc Richards had equalised at 1-1 from the penalty spot. The defeat leaves Vale 16th in League Two.
But while Adams has lost patience with his players, it is understood he has agreed to sign a two-year extension to his one-year contract on improved terms.
He has yet to sign the new deal, which would tie him to Vale until 2012, but he could do so as early as this week.
Adams added: "I want to be successful again and I want Vale supporters to be proud of their side.
"We had magnificent support on Saturday (1,243 fans) who spent a lot of cash, and then we give them that performance. I can't accept that, it's not good enough."
Adams's under-fire players said little about being transfer-listed.
Skipper Tom Fraser said: "Collectively, we've sat down and spoke about it, but have got no comment to make on the matter.
"But we will react. Everybody will come out and play for their shirt."
Vale chairman Bill Bratt backed Adams's decision.
"The manager runs the football side. I keep out of that," he said. "But I trust his judgment."
Other Port Vale stories online today:
Fan zone: Let's hope Adams's bold action doesn't backfire
Adams puts entire squad on transfer market after County defeat
2 Comments
by jeff, madeley
Monday, September 28 2009, 3:26PM
“I am yet to be convinced what Doug Fraser is bringing to the team, particularly as captain. As he was with the manager at Brighton, surely he must have seen something.”
by Steve, Penkhull
Monday, September 28 2009, 12:30PM
“It a bit much placing all the blame on the players. The manager is the one who picks the team, decides on the formation and the style of play. Those of us who have been following Vale for a number of years know that the days of fast flowing football are long gone or even attempts at it and that we are now a big boot footballing side.
It is harsh to include the defence in the accusation. They are having to repel most teams minute by minute because of the failure of the midfield to control the game. Most supporters that I have spoken to admire the way the defence get their heads to the ball and their foot in the tackle. Most supporters simply fail to see what Fraser and Loft have brought to the side and both are the Managers acquisitions. Loft adds no more to the team than Howland did so why are we paying this extra wage. Fraser is the slowest midfielder i have seen in a long while and unless he has30 seconds and no body around him for at least 10 square yards does not appear to be able to pass to feet. He lacks stamina and the ability to tackle ( how many free kicks has he given away due to late tackles but i suppose he gets there as quick as he can). At least Griffith has these two attributes.
The formation allows the opposition to overrun the midfield and place too much burden on the defence. Likewise the forward line does not get the service it needs and so we are unlikely to score many goals.
Richards appears to bear the brunt of fans frustrations but they should acknowledge that he is now playing in a team that is hitting the ball upfield from defence and he is not a target man. He is not big enough. He is having to play with is back to goal and is often bustled off the ball by much bigger centre halfs. Why then should it be a suprise that he cant control the ball with his chest because this is where the ball is often aimed and not to feet!!
Unless we can keep the ball we will not win matches its as simple as that and im not having it that the players do not understand this.
Its clearly time to change the formation to what the manager says is his preference and in a four four two id choose this team. It couldnt do any worse than the team that played on Saturday.
Martin,Stockley,McCombe, Owen, Collins as left back, K Taylor,Fraser, Griffith R Taylor and Dodds and Richards.
Any comments feel free to rely.”