Port Vale: Adams looks to strengthen

by Steve Shaw

PORT VALE manager Micky Adams concedes he will need to strengthen all areas of his squad as he looks to revive the club's flagging fortunes.

The Valiants finished 18th in League Two last season, while the average age of his current 16-man squad is just under 22.

Despite the backing of more than 6,000 season-ticket holders, Vale went on to lose 11 of their 23 home games last season.

Adams has only been in the job since Friday, but recognises the need to inject more experience into his ranks.

"The squad needs strengthening in all areas – that's the key for me," he explained.

"There are a lot of inexperienced players here, so it will be vital to bring experienced players into the squad and see where we go from there. People have said it is a young squad – and it is.

"Perhaps that's why the home form last season wasn't good because kids need nurturing and love from everybody."

The 16 players currently available to Adams include 18-year-old midfielder Ross Davidson, who has agreed to sign a new one-year deal.

Former Morecambe right-back Adam Yates, from Milton, will add more experience when the 26-year-old signs a two-year deal in the next week.

The squad could increase to 23 senior players if Luke Prosser and Paul Edwards and four youth graduates – Paul Dixon, Daniel Lloyd-Weston, Luke Chapman and Danny Edwards – sign new contracts.

Adams will get the first chance to evaluate his squad on July 1 when his side report for pre-season training.

At this early stage the manager Adams says he has no plans to offload anybody during the summer... and hinted that moves had been made to recruit fresh faces before pre-season training starts on July 1.

Adams is refusing to identify his transfer targets, although he has been linked with midfielder Tommy Fraser, who he managed during his time at Brighton.

Fraser came through the youth ranks at Brighton, but was released at the end of the season after making 102 appearances for the club.

Adams is also scouring the market for a player-coach and is keen to sign a player on a season-long loan.

"Once I get my teeth into the job, hopefully I'll be here for the long term, and then we'll have to dramatically reduce the size of the squad." Adams added.