Rob Fielding believes appointing Darren Moore as Port Vale manager is a real statement of intent, but not without risks…
Rob Fielding writes…
It was a welcome shock to see the club appoint someone who is at the top of many Bale fans’ wishlists…
It is perhaps no surprise that many Vale fans were surprised by the appointment of Darren Moore as the club’s new manager. After years of promotions from within (Martin Foyle, Dean Glover to Andy Crosby’s appointment last summer) and from left field (Lee Sinnott, Jim Gannon, Bruno Ribeiro), the club has decided to add one man to the team. It was a welcome shock to see him appointed. Who will be at the top of many Vale fans’ wishlists?
After days of criticism of David Flitcroft’s role, this perhaps shows why the club hierarchy still has faith in him. The January transfer window may have been a wash, but his skill in bringing in players of Moore’s caliber shows why he still maintains the confidence of his owners. Like the appointment of Darrell Clarke, this could also be a defining moment for Flitcroft. At the very least, it certainly takes some immediate pressure off the director of football.
Moore looks like a strong character just like Clarke, so it will be interesting to see how he interacts with Flitcroft during the all-important summer transfer window. If Flitcroft can work with Moore and create better opportunities for the club, things could start to turn around for the club.
However, it remains to be seen which division Vale will be in this summer. Mr. Moore should have no illusions about the magnitude of his task. He will have to somehow get the best out of an unbalanced team that lacks at least two physical players up front and is currently in the relegation zone. Games against struggling compatriots Cheltenham, Reading and Fleetwood will likely be crucial if the Valiants are to remain in League One.
It probably took quite a bit of negotiation to bring Moore to the club, which probably explains the five-and-a-half year deal. The length of the contract will be a concern for some. Five and a half years is quite an age in modern games. If the cup is half-full, we’re retaining an impressive manager with a contract period that locks out top suitors or commands a hefty fee for his services. It means that. But if the cup is half empty…if Moore recreates Huddersfield’s magic and the club eventually drops to League Two, could Bale be saddled with a huge pay package if he wants to be let go?
The Valiants have had too many managers in recent years, and too many opportunities to go for the quick, easy, or cheap option. This is a statement of intent, a courageous act, and a decisive one…
For these reasons, I sincerely hope that this bold move will be successful. The Valiants have had too many managers in recent years, and too many opportunities to go for the quick, easy, or cheap option. This is a statement of intent, a courageous act, and a decisive one. It would be great if it worked.
One final thing to point out…the last two times Vale has chosen the strongest character from the nominees, Mickey Adams in 2009 and Darrell Clarke in 2021, that’s the result. brought about promotion. What is third time lucky?
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