The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Port Vale 2020/21 Season Review

Port Vale have endured a season of mixed fortunes in 2020/21. From having a good start to the campaign, to having an incredibly turgid mid-part of the season which included a managerial change, however, the Valiants rounded off the season in style after going on an outstanding unbeaten run throughout the spring months.

Five key games/moments

Bolton Wanderers 3-6 Port Vale – 5 December 2020

Port Vale’s highest scoring game of the season was a 6-3 trouncing of rivals Bolton Wanderers in their own back yard – the Whites one of three sides in League Two to achieve automatic promotion. Goals from all over the pitch for Vale – scorers that day included Manny Oyeleke, Leon Legge, Conlon, Christian Montano, David Worrall and Nathan Smith.

Port Vale 3-0 Grimsby – 9 January 2021

The first game since John Askey’s departure, Port Vale faced struggling Grimsby Town – Askey’s former assistant manager Danny Pugh was in caretaker charge. Goals from Shaun Brisley, Denante Rodney and an own goal from Grimsby defender Luke Waterfall secured all three points for the Valiants.

Port Vale 5-1 Southend – 30 January 2021

Another high scoring fixture for Port Vale came against another struggling side, Southend. The Burslem outfit bounced back from poor defeats to Scunthorpe and Walsall in the previous weeks as they demolished the struggling Shrimpers. A well taken brace from Rodney, who was accompanied on the scoresheet with Adam Crookes and Oyeleke that day, as well as Southend defender Tyler Cordner who was credited an own goal.

Port Vale 2-1 Newport – 16 March 2021

The Vale’s 2-1 home victory over Newport in March was Darrell Clarke’s first win at the helm of the Valiants. Goals coming from Tom Conlon and Devante Rodney secured the three points, this very win got the ball rolling for Darrell Clarke’s side as Port Vale would go on to win the next six games.

Port Vale 2-1 Bradford City – 24 April 2021

Port Vale’s final win in their unbeaten run, however this was the first time that the Valiants had conceded for almost a month. Darrell Clarke exclaimed after the game that he was happy that his side’s clean sheet record had gone, thanks to a goal from Clayton Donaldson, because he wanted to see his side’s true character. Just over a quarter of an hour later, the Vale had turned the tie around after goals from Theo Robinson and captain Conlon.

Transfers and their impact

Devante Rodney

Signed on a free transfer from Salford City, the forward has enjoyed good form throughout his debut season at Vale Park. The 22-year-old has scored 11 goals in all competitions since his arrival last summer, as well as chalking-up three assists.

Zak Mills

The 28-year old right back hasn’t made much of an impact for Port Vale this season since his arrival from Oldham Athletic. Another free transfer, Mills didn’t clock up any goals or assists in his 21 appearances in black and white. The defender was one of many players released by the club this week, as part of a rebuilding project under new manager Darrell Clarke.

Danny Whitehead

Another summer signing made by John Askey who made minimal impact for the Valiants last season. Bought in on a free from Salford, the 27-year-old midfielder didn’t make a single goal contribution (goal or assist) in his 15 appearances throughout the 20/21 campaign and is a player that has been put up for sale this summer.

Theo Robinson

The 32-year-old attacker netted on three occasions in 34 appearances since his return to Vale Park last summer as he penned a two year deal. Robinson is one of three players who has been made available for a transfer away from the club this summer after making very little impact since his switch from Southend United.

David Fitzpatrick

The left back was bought in on a free transfer from Macclesfield Town last summer, and has endured a frustrating campaign. Just the solitary assist for Fitzpatrick throughout the 2020/21 season which came in a 1-1 draw at home to Colchester in December. The defender has been released by the club this summer.

Dino Visser

The South African goalkeeper has only made three appearances for the Valiants this season since arriving from Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer. The 31-year-old’s contract at the club was not renewed this summer meaning he’ll leave as a free agent.

Harry McKirdy

The 24-year-old midfielder was signed from Carlisle United last summer and after eight appearances for the Valiants, McKirdy is leaving the club next month.

Mitch Clark (Loan)

The young right back arrived at Vale Park for his third loan spell at the club. Clark returned to his parent club, Leicester City, in January. The defender didn’t play through December due to personal reasons, and the Vale didn’t extend his loan stay in the winter window.

Jake Taylor

The midfielder arrived from Nottingham Forest in January for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old has made 13 appearances for the Valiants in the second half of the season, scoring a goal and providing an assist in these games. Overall, Taylor has been a solid signing for Port Vale, a player who has a bright future ahead of him.

Kurtis Guthrie

A permanent addition in January, Guthrie made 17 appearances for the Valiants through the second half of the season, clocking just one solitary goal.

Mustapha Olagunju (Loan)

Loaned in from Huddersfield Town on the January Deadline Day, the 19-year-old defender only made six appearances and accumulated just 135 minutes in a Port Vale shirt.

Will Swan (Loan)

Loaned in from Nottingham Forest on Deadline Day of the January window, Swan made 10 appearances during his time at Vale Park, netting one goal.

Key players

Tom Conlon

‘The Porthill Pirlo’ has enjoyed fine form throughout the 2020/21 campaign. The midfield maestro has netted 10 goals and clocked eight assists throughout the season and was a key player in the Burslem outfit’s nine game unbeaten run which included six straight wins.

David Worrall

The wicked winger has been another shining light of Vale’s difficult season. Chalking up five goals and providing ten assists, Worrall is another player who’s enjoyed an upturn in form since Darrell Clarke’s arrival. A solid season rounded off by being deservedly named in the 2020/21 League Two Team of the Season.

Devante Rodney

Vale’s top scorer this season, Rodney has been another player who has benefitted from Clarke’s rejuvenated Port Vale side. The versatile 22-year-old has netted on 11 occasions as well as assisting three times in his first season in black and white, and has also linked up well with Worrall, Conlon and fellow forward Theo Robinson.

Season verdict

Based on people’s pre-season expectations, Port Vale have underachieved this season. There’s no doubt that the majority of supporters would be disappointed with how this season panned out on a whole. An early promotion contender, however when form nosedived through November until John Askey’s departure in January not enough character was shown.

Despite a rocky start following Darrell Clarke’s arrival, once his formula clicked, we saw the Valiants go on an outstanding run of form which saw the side rise up the league, narrowly missing out on a top half finish.

Hopes for next season

The Valiants will be hoping to break into the playoff positions at least next season. Positive signs of success under Darrell Clarke over recent months have started to bloom, so there is no reason why his side can’t be knocking on the door of the League Two playoffs.

If the Burslem outfit can keep hold of key players like Nathan Smith and Tom Conlon and also building a well-oiled side around the dynamic duo, Darrell Clarke’s men could be a smart pre-season promotion bet.

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