CARLISLE UNITED V PORT VALE
the Valiants’ revitalisation. There are just five matches remaining - and a host of players are out of contract this summer.
“Any change of manager always brings some change to the mentality of the players because they have to up the ante,” he explained.
“Darrell will have been unknown to the players, although one or two might have crossed paths with him.
“He’s a different character to what they’ve been used to and it would have given a few a jolt.
“There’s also quite a few players coming to the end of their deals and, as time goes on, having been a player, there is a general realisation around February that you could be out of work in August, earning nothing each week.
“You think about that and dig a bit deeper to either get a new contract at Vale or do enough so another team might fancy you.
“There is that element of self-preservation. It would be foolish to think the turnaround is just Darrell Clarke’s influence, but he does deserve a lot of credit for what has happened.
“We went through a spell of gifting goals away. The opposition were not being made to work for them. It’s a long time since I’d seen that from a Vale side.
“Darrell has stopped that and then it’s a process of how can we build on that going forward? He’s changed things around to find the right formula and to go on the run they have is outstanding - there’s no other way to describe it.
“It will be interesting to see what the summer brings and what squad he can build.”
Vale, along with all other clubs, will be carefully eyeing league rules as they look to shape their squads for next season.
At present it is proposed that clubs have 20 players over the age of 21 in their squads.
The Valiants currently have 25 - following Manny Oyeleke’s departure to Chesterfield this week - and Sproson also believes current squad members might have forced Clarke to ponder his options.
“Darrell Clarke and his team will have to sit down and decide who will be invited on the journey next year,” he said.
“It might not be for some players, they might have something else to go to. “A frontman is paramount and the goalkeeping situation is not completely sorted. Does he need a new number two to push Scott Brown?
“From a player’s point of
PORT Vale have signed winger Alex Hurst to a new two-year deal, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2023.
The 21-year-old has impressed manager Darrell Clarke and director of football David Flitcroft and will be part of what is likely to be a slimmed down squad next season. Hurst, who was signed from non-league Bradford Park Avenue by previous boss John Askey in the summer of 2019.
He went back to the National League North club on loan in 2019/20, but has featured in 25 Vale games this season.
The contract news continues a busy week for the Vale who have sold midfielder Manny Oyeleke to National League promotion-chasers Chesterfield. Manager Clarke told the club: “We are delighted to see Alex Hurst commit his future to the club after a breakthrough season. We are very much looking forward to seeing Hursty continue his development.” Chief executive Colin Garlick added: “I am very pleased to tie down a good and exciting young player
view, Darrell has probably stopped and thought about one or two. That’s the art of being a coach - getting the best out of the players.
“Some need to work harder in training, some might need to lose a few pounds, others work on technique.
“Organisation, desire and passion are three main qualities. The players have to work really hard, but that should be a given - you don’t deserve to be called a professional if you don’t.
“When I was at Birmingham, Bobby Ferguson said to me it’s about squeezing out every last bit of toothpaste in regards to players.
“If there’s something you can work with in a player, it might save you money in the long run because you can’t keep bringing new ones in. like Alex who has really come on so much this season. He has worked hard since the loan at Bradford PA which was a really good grounding for him and part of the education.
“I am delighted for the club and delighted for Alex as he is a really nice young man.”
Vale are waiting to see what the EFL rule on squad sizes will be for 2021/22 as they try to plan.
Vale are hoping for a change to the rules which say League Two clubs will be limited to 20 players aged over 21 from next season.
At the moment, Vale have 25 players, including Hurst, who would count as senior over 21 players.
The PFA has suggested the squad limit should be raised to 25 senior players. Meanwhile, the Vale will be looking for their seventh successive League Two win when they take on Carlisle United at Brunton Park tomorrow (12.30pm). The last time the club won seven games on the spin was in 1893.
The overall club record is eight straight wins.
MICHAEL BAGGALEY
“Darrell will obviously want to add and there will be plenty of players available, but not always ones you can afford.
“He might really like a player, but he’ll be out of the price bracket. It’s like saying you want to drive a Jaguar, but only have the funds for a Ford.”
For now, though, Sproson is delighted to see Vale enjoying some highs in what has been an up-and-down campaign.
Hopes were high at the start of the season about mounting a promotion push, before a downturn in results left them sliding down the table.
“Vale fans have been on a rollercoaster this season,” added Sproson.
“The team won at Exeter City early on and you think after that it’s going to be a good year.
“Then you get thrown back with the blip and it needed to be stopped.
“Darrell has done that and Vale have started to climb the table again, but I’m sure he won’t be getting carried away.”
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