Port Vale: Striker Lee Hughes sets sights on League One return
LEE Hughes says completing Port Vale's promotion mission would justify his decision to join the club.
The 36-year-old striker dropped down into the basement division after leaving League One Notts County for the Valiants in the January transfer window.
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Lee Hughes is hoping for a return to League One with Port Vale.
Hughes, who initially signed until the end of the season, will trigger a new 12-month contract if Vale go up.
He has scored four goals in six appearances to keep second-placed Valiants in the thick of the promotion race.
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And Hughes said he was prepared to switch to Burslem after hearing the long-term vision of chairman Paul Wildes and chief executive Norman Smurthwaite.
"I've enjoyed it since I've been here and I'd love to stay beyond the end of the season," he said.
"I really want to play in League One again.
"The only reason I agreed to drop down a division in the first place was because the club is going places.
"I talked to the chairman and he told me his plans and vision for the club, and I wanted to be part of that."
Hughes, who played in League One with both Notts and Oldham, says Vale could be competitive if they make the step up.
"Some players can adapt to it and others can't. I hope we'll soon get the chance to find out," he added.
"There are the top five or six, who are often in a different category to the others, and there will be some decent sides coming down from the Championship.
"But there's often not much difference between teams in the bottom half and I'm sure we would be fine."
And ahead of Saturday's trip to Torquay, Hughes believes Vale are in good shape to achieve their objective.
He said: "We've got enough quality and experience in this squad. If we're on our game, there should be no team that beats us in this league."
3 Comments
by MyVince
Thursday, February 21 2013, 1:12AM
“Two good posts and what I found disturbing, a couple of weeks ago
after the win against Wimbledon on Praise and Grumble, the
commentators and some fans were
already talking of Vale as having won the League.
Always a dangerous scenario.
Every game now till the end of Season witll be hard fought and Micky
has to keep players focused and determined.”
by Dave_Eccy
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 8:47PM
“No goals in the last 2 games is a bit of a concern, as is Pope's drying up, although he was always going to have a barren patch at some stage. Supply to the forwards has not been as good recently and the wingers have now been sussed out by the opposition and often have 3 closing them down leading to frustration, as shown by Jenison last Saurday.
Pope who has good ball control is better on his own up front with players running on past him to receive the ball. Hughes plays alongside him and is not usually in a position to receive the ball moving forwards, so we end up static in attack. I think a change is needed, we have been outplayed in midfield against both Barnet and Morecambe and the big defences have eaten up the hopeful balls to Pope and Hughes. We only started to dominate Morecambe when they went down to 10 men and retreated to the edge of their penalty area for the last 15 mins.
Yes Hughes is energetic for his age and runs aroung a lot and makes positions but as far as bringing others into play in he's a bit lacking.”
by algy7
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 3:00PM
“It's very nice to read that Lee Hughes has confidence in the Vale to get promotion at the end of the season, also that there should be "no team that beats us in this league". A few weeks ago I would have said the same, and even said confidently that the Vale would go up as Champions. But now, after reading his article, I ask what happened last saturday ?.
Indeed what happened against AFC Wimbledon (first half), and Barnet as well ?. As soon as the Vale hit the top spot they seem to be very nervous. Why ?. Do they have nosebleeds ?.
Now I'm happy that Lee Hughes is playing for us and not against us, but I do wonder, sometimes, if his signing has taken the edge off Tom Popes' effectivness. Am I right in thinking this ?.
OK, the heavy pitches have had their effect on the Vale, but it's the same for both sides of the equation, and now the need to get back to winning ways is important especially after Rotherhams result last night, that "cushion" is getting a bit thin.
On paper, the Vale have, arguablely, the best team in this league, but games are not won "on paper", so it must be down to hard work to win games, then with winning comes confidence. They have to start winning ugly, as they haven't won anything yet.
They need to concentrate on one game at a time, and only look at the winning post when they pass it. Micky Adams, his staff, and the "old heads" in the squad need to instill this into the younger players. They are where they are in the league because they are a strong team, and promotion will give them a wonderful feeling, and as champions even better, but they aren't there yet, nerves could play a big part, and tempers could well be frayed before the end of the season. So they need clear heads, because if they end up in the play-offs it will be a big let down. So lets KEEP THE FAITH.”