‘DARREN MOORE HAS MORE MEN AT HIS DISPOSAL THAN AN ARMY BATTALION’
THERE might have been a case for Port Vale fans to taunt Salford City supporters with, ‘can we play you every week?’, writes Clive Youlton
Especially given the two matches Vale have won this season have both come against Karl Robinson’s side. The question remains, ‘which Vale team would that be?’
Take the Salford matches in isolation. Vale might have won both games 2-0 but they did it using 19 different starters.
That doesn’t include Ben Lomax. Funso Ojo, Jack Shorrock and Benicio Bakerboaitey who were all named in the starting
XI in the League Cup against Barrow but didn’t make it in the Salford double. In addition, Nathan Smith, Dan Jones, Deklan Wynne, Rhys Walters and Conor Grant weren’t involved at all.
It may be that Smith could be called upon if fit, to replace the injured Connor Hall. Hopefully Hall will be okay and in any case, it’s unlikely Smith will be thrown in against Barrow on Saturday. Sam Hart showed he was more than adequate cover, as Kyle John operated effectively on the left with a dynamic display.
They talk about managers not knowing their best XI. That could be the case for Darren Moore for weeks to come given he has more men at his disposal than an army battalion.
It’s a fascinating situation, especially in the forward areas where I would say Jayden Stockley, Ruari Paton and Ronan Curtis would be in my first team every time, despite having paid good money for Lorent Tolaj.
Baylee Dipepa might have been Vale’s most dynamic forward last term but the famine has turned to feast with Curtis, Baker-boaitey and
Diamond Edwards as just three examples giving the youngster stiff competition where flair is concerned.