Port Vale: Frustrated Adams slams loan system

by Steve Shaw

MICKY Adams has criticised the loan window system after watching two defenders slip through his fingers before yesterday's 5pm deadline.

With influential centre-half Gareth Owen expected to be sidelined for three weeks with a fractured cheek bone, Adams was keen to reinforce his defensive ranks.

But over the past two days he failed to seal loan deals for two unnamed League One defenders before the window slammed shut until January.

"This loan deadline is a nonsense," said Adams. "If you panic and bring in the wrong type of player, particularly over Christmas, you can get left with other people's problems. At this time of year A lot of available players are either not match fit or they're players other clubs don't want.

"I'm not a great believer in short-term loans anyway. Everybody expects them to hit the ground running, but it doesn't always work out like that."

"I prefer longer loan periods because you get more time to mould the players."

Adams had agreed one-month loan deals with the two respective clubs only for both to fall through.

One defender rejected a move over fitness issues while the second deal collapsed yesterday afternoon when the player's club missed out on their own defensive loan target.

Owen will go under the knife today after receiving a blow to his fractured cheek bone during Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Torquay.

Adams is now likely to recall reserve centre-half Luke Prosser or ask wing-back Kris Taylor to fill in for Owen when Vale host Huddersfield in the FA Cup second-round tomorrow (3pm).

There was some transfer activity in Burslem yesterday, though, as transfer-listed striker Danny Glover sealed a loan move to Rochdale – who lie second in League Two – until December 2.

In recent weeks the 20-year-old's upturn in form has earned him a recall to Adams's matchday squad and two substitute appearances.

"Because Danny has not been in the team and has only just broken into the squad I thought I should give him the opportunity to go to Rochdale," said Adams.

"He's going to a club that is top of the table and we will keep an eye on him."