Port Vale: Prove your worth or go, Adams tells under fire squad
FRUSTRATED Port Vale boss Micky Adams has challenged his transfer-listed squad to take their first steps towards redemption against Accrington Stanley tomorrow night.
Adams will take the drastic step of making his entire 26-man squad available for transfer today as a response to Saturday's dismal 3-1 defeat at Notts County.
While Adams criticised his players' lack of desire at Meadow Lane, he also urged them to start proving their worth when Accrington visit Vale Park tomorrow (7.45pm).
Adams said: "If people think I'm kidding, we'll see. I think we needed to do something drastic to wake people up.
"If they're good enough they'll stay here; if they're not, then they'll go. We will welcome bids for any player, which is a bit harsh on Joe Anyon because he's only just got fit.
"This might come back and kick me in the teeth. If that's the case, and the players don't make any effort, then the fans will see that."
Anyon returned to Vale's first-team bench on Saturday for the first time since breaking his leg six months ago.
Vale cannot actually sell players until the transfer window reopens in January, but they are able to loan them out until a permanent deal can then be agreed.
Adams lost patience with his squad after seeing them stumble to a third successive defeat after home and away reverses to Bury and Scunthorpe respectively.
The previous week they suffered a home defeat against Bury before they crashed out of the Carling Cup at Scunthorpe last Tuesday.
Lee Hughes grabbed a first-half brace before Vale defender Lee Collins scored an own goal after the break.
Striker Marc Richards had equalised at 1-1 from the penalty spot. The defeat leaves Vale 16th in League Two.
But while Adams has lost patience with his players, it is understood he has agreed to sign a two-year extension to his one-year contract on improved terms.
He has yet to sign the new deal, which would tie him to Vale until 2012, but he could do so as early as this week.
Adams added: "I want to be successful again and I want Vale supporters to be proud of their side.
"We had magnificent support on Saturday (1,243 fans) who spent a lot of cash, and then we give them that performance. I can't accept that, it's not good enough."
Adams's under-fire players said little about being transfer-listed.
Skipper Tom Fraser said: "Collectively, we've sat down and spoke about it, but have got no comment to make on the matter.
"But we will react. Everybody will come out and play for their shirt."
Vale chairman Bill Bratt backed Adams's decision.
"The manager runs the football side. I keep out of that," he said. "But I trust his judgment."
Other Port Vale stories online today:
Fan zone: Let's hope Adams's bold action doesn't backfire
Adams puts entire squad on transfer market after County defeat
