Reading v Port Vale abandoned after pitch invasion protest.
Right now, the Valiants are flying high in the table and that’s because they arguably have some of the best players in League Two plying their trade for the club right now.
When you take a look at the squad list though, who stands out as the most valuable player in the side? Who doesn’t even make the top 10?
Do you agree with the order of the list? Or not? Let us know in the comments section your thoughts!
His first season playing regular football for Port Vale has really produced the goods. The midfielder has been a mainstay in the team, playing on 37 occasions in the league so far this campaign and proving to be a real reliable presence in the middle of the field. Pett has even managed five goal contributions in the form of two goals and three assists.
It’s been his most prominent season in League Two since he won the division with Lincoln. He’s now back in the fourth tier and is flourishing again. If he can help lead the Valiants to a promotion, then he’ll prove he is still one of the top-end options in the fourth tier.
Defender Smith has featured even more than Pett this season and it’s for good reason, as he has proven to be an absolute rock at the back and again is one of Port Vale’s most important players. With 42 league outings to his name so far – more than anybody else – and three goal contributions from the back, he has been one of their go-to names throughout the campaign.
He’s been a Vale mainstay for years now and has already racked up over 250 league appearances for the club throughout his career. If he can help lead them to a promotion this season, then it would certainly write his name in the club’s history books as a Valiants hero – if he isn’t already.
Brad Walker has featured a lot less this season than the previously mentioned names but that doesn’t make him any less valuable. With 28 games to his name this season – as well as a goal and assist – he has been one of their most solid options in the centre of the field. He’s even done a job as part of their backline and the 27-year-old is arguably in the peak of his career right now too.
He’s only been with the club since last summer but has already established himself as a regular and will continue to play a big role for them going forward. You wouldn’t be surprised if he continues to impress a league higher with the club too – if they manage to get there.
Jamie Proctor has to be on this list somewhere for his ability to fire in the goals for Port Vale this season. The attacker might not have always put in 10/10 performances but he often chips in when needed, as his 12-goal haul attests this season. With four assists too, he has been one of their biggest contributors offensively and they would be lost without the 30-year-old.
He’s been around the EFL for a while now and although he is another player on this list to be getting well into his thirties, the early signs are that he can stick around and do a job for the side going forward too. His experience higher up the pyramid will surely help Vale anywa
The 31-year-old has been with the Valiants for three years now and he’s never really been able to hit double figures in terms of his goalscoring. Still, he is a valuable option in rotation and has proven he can still pick up a goal contribution along the way. His experience with the likes of Preston, Cambridge and Partick Thistle mean he is one of the most knowledgable names in the team and can help lead them forward.
Aaron Martin has crept into the top three here despite having played much less of a role than others this season. That isn’t to say that he has been cast aside or under-utilised though. Having only joined the club last summer, the 32-year-old has 27 games to his name so far and has two goals too despite featuring as part of the club’s backline.
He’s been solid at the back when called upon and as an option even in rotation, he has proven that he can be someone the club can call upon. He’s certainly flourished a lot more than he managed during his last season in Scotland and might have found a much better home now with Vale. Considering he has also played for Coventry and Oxford in the past, his knowhow might also be needed going forward if they are promoted.
However, in recent weeks he has ended up in a similar situation to the one he was at with his parent club. That is, he’s been resigned to sitting on the bench and watching on from the sidelines. However, his value has stayed the same and he is likely to return to Ipswich and probably be sent out on another loan deal.
