Port Vale Identify Primary Managerial Target

Port Vale have set their sights on former Huddersfield Town boss Darren Moore to replace the recently-departed Andy Crosby, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

Crosby made an excellent start to this season, winning five of his opening seven fixtures which saw the Valiants move into second. However, with just three wins from the next 20, an alarming slide down the table ensued.

The decision was made to cut ties with the 50-year-old last Monday following their latest defeat against Fleetwood Town. It was a result which left the club just two points above the drop zone and the decision was made in an attempt to salvage their League One status.

Whilst the search for his successor continues, the situation has worsened for the Staffordshire-based club following another defeat to Leyton Orient whilst a controversial late penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw with Stevenage yesterday. With other results going against them, Vale now find themselves in the bottom four and in a huge fight for survival.

Owner Carol Shanahan issued an open letter on Wednesday to supporters saying that the interview process was underway. Former Birmingham City and Millwall coach Paul Robinson is one name that has been linked to the role.

However, it is Moore who now appears to be the preferred candidate, with the 49-year-old sacked by Huddersfield at the end of last month. The former Jamaican international has pedigree at League One level having secured promotion with Sheffield Wednesday via the play-offs last season, although he opted to leave the Owls during the summer.

Nixon claims that Port Vale are keen to tempt the ex-West Bromwich Albion boss into a swift return to management and that he could be open to taking on the reins at Vale Park.

It doesn’t get any easier for the relegation-threatened side this week. They travel to promotion-chasing Peterborough United on Tuesday night before a potential six-pointer against Cheltenham Town next weekend.

Writer’s View

Darren Moore would be a brilliant appointment for Port Vale. The job he performed at Sheffield Wednesday was excellent, especially the phenomenal turnaround in last season’s play-off semi final against Peterborough.

There is an argument to say he wasn’t given enough time at Huddersfield and he will remain convinced that he could have done enough to salvage their Championship status. We’ll never know the answer, although the opportunity to rescue Vale in their hour of need could be too tempting to turn down.

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