Port Vale: So how would YOU sort out Port Vale's threadbare squad?

M ICKY Adams is planning to bring in a host of new players to create a squad capable of winning promotion.

The Port Vale boss has said he could bring in six or seven fresh faces once Keith Ryder finally takes the club out of administration.

So what areas of the team need to be strengthened and what names spring to mind?

Season ticket holders Andy McCormack, Rob Rhead and Andrew Blakemore, like fans all over the Potteries and beyond, have their own views on the subject.

McCormack is the 56-year-old editor of popular Vale fanzine Derek I'm Gutted! who lives in Burslem. Rhead, aged 51, is from May Bank while Blakemore is 28 and from Baddeley Green.

KEEPING IT TIGHT

Andy McCormack: We need a new goalkeeper, whether Stuart Tomlinson eventually signs or not.

I was disappointed that Chris Martin was allowed to follow Joe Anyon out of the club.

I would prefer a goalkeeper who has experience at this level to come in, but decent keepers are thin on the ground so that's a tricky one.

Rob Rhead: One of the first areas which needs attention is between the sticks.

Tomlinson still hasn't agreed a new contract and I would draw a line under the whole affair and look elsewhere. I've never been his biggest fan – we could do better.

Andrew Blakemore: We need to add an experienced goalkeeper to the ranks, even if Tomlinson does sign.

At this level, an experienced stopper leads to a more successful team, and a prime example of that would be Steve Phillips at Crewe.

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

AM: Central defence is fairly sound with John McCombe, Gareth Owen, Clayton McDonald and Joe Davis.

We only have one full-back at the club in Adam Yates, but the main priority for me is a new left-back.

Doug Loft did well last year, but we will need him in midfield this time.

We have never had a decent, specialised left-back since Allen Tankard left the club and Rob Taylor is not the answer either.

RR: The loss of Lee Collins has been a huge blow. He was a versatile defender who can play right across the back four.

We don't have anyone like that at the moment – our centre-halves are just that and we only have one specialised full-back at the club.

Loft's talents are better used further up the field, so I would like us to sign a left-back and another, versatile, defender. I don't suppose Joleon Lescott would consider signing for us, would he?

AB: The defence, on paper, is looking solid.

We definitely need to add a proper left-back and maybe another full-back as competition for places is key to a successful squad.

MIDFIELD MINEFIELD

AM: I would use Rob Taylor on the left, at least to start with, as a possible replacement for Sean Rigg. He is very attack-minded, he has decent pace and good control. And he is definitely better going forward than defensively.

On the right, I have heard that Jennison Myrie-Williams is available and I would welcome him back to Vale Park. He has decent pace and a trick or two. He played well here on loan last year, but he has had a lot of clubs for a 24-year-old and I am wondering why. In central midfield, we need a replacement for Anthony Griffith. I would use Loft as he has pace, energy and can score goals. But we need a playmaker.

RR: We need a box-to-box player and someone who can score few goals into the bargain.

The wide players already at the club don't have enough pace for me – or if they do they don't have the end product. I suppose if they did, they wouldn't be playing in League Two.

Someone like Oxford's Alfie Potter would do. He's a tricky player who always causes us problems. He doesn't score that many goals but in the right team I think he would. We also need a new ball-winner now Griffith has left.

AB: The midfield seems to have enough wide players in Louis Dodds, Rob Taylor, Lewis Haldane and Chris Shuker, with only Sam Morsy, Loft (depending on whether or not he is used at left-back) and Kingsley James for the central positions.

Losing Griffith wasn't as big a disaster as most people made out in my opinion. Yes he was the grafter, but you can find players like Griff anywhere.

We desperately need a play-maker though. It was disappointing to see Paul Marshall not given a contract as I'm sure a pre-season under Micky Adams would have brought the best out of him.

CUTTING EDGE

AM: We need to replace Marc Richards, of course.

I would put Dodds up there. He is capable of scoring and has been rarely used as an out-and-out striker.

I'm sure he would get double figures given a consistent run in the side and I'd love to see that. There is not a lot of goals in the squad as it stands at the moment, and I think Dodds has goals in him.

As for a replacement, I would go for Tom Barkhuizen, who spent last season on loan at Hereford from Blackpool.

He scored 11 goals in 38 games for a team that was relegated, he is quick, has decent control and is a decent finisher.

RR: We have lost in the region of 30 goals a season with the departure of Richards and Rigg so we are desperate for some firepower.

We need a big target man to play alongside Pope or Dodds, who need to be among the goals themselves this season.

AB: The loss of Richards was big blow, leaving us with just Pope and Williamson, which is a big problem.

I'd love to see us bring in an experienced striker, but they cost money, so it will take all of Adams's talent to sort that one out.

An alternative option in the short term would be to give Dodds a supporting role for the front men. He could play behind the main striker, and given his natural finishing ability, he could chip in with more goals to support our shot-shy strikeforce.

OVERALL

AM: It's very difficult to predict what will happen when Adams has said he wants to bring six or seven players in and we've no idea who they will be.

At the moment, I can see another mid-table finish on the cards, but with better players, who knows?

I can see the standard of the division being tougher this time, so we will have to be that much better to mount a promotion push.

RR: Every department needs to be improved if we are to be pushing for one of the top positions.

The players who come in will need to be almost certain starters.

Last year's recruits were dictated by budgetary constraints, and this year's need to be seasoned pros. Over to you Keith and Micky!

AB: It's quite tricky to say who I would like the manager to sign as most players that would benefit us are under contract and there are too many out of contract to actually narrow down.

But with time already running out, I am hoping Adams has players lined up and can move as soon as we come out of administration.