It sounds so simple yet Port Vale just did not win enough games in League One last season. The Valiants won only nine of their 46 games over the course of the entire season, with only bottom-placed Championship outfit Colchester United collecting maximum points on fewer occassions.
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The Vale slumped to second-bottom in the third tier and conceding 81 goals, the Stoke-based side were doomed to the drop.
After finishing 12th spot the season before, the fans were dreaming of making a sustained play-off bid this term, but it all went sourly wrong after the sales of key strikers Akpo Sodje and Leon Constatine who combined to net 42 times between them the term before.
Sodje, 28, signed for Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored seven times in his 19 outings, while Constantine went to Leeds before being shipped out on loan to Oldham.
These two players were always tough to replace and in the end it was their partnership which proved the killer loss. Luke Rodgers mustered 12 goals in all competitions but it was never enough to out weigh the sides problems at the other end. They shed far too many in their own net.
After one win from their first eight outings, the struggle was always on the
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Former boss Martin Foyle had already been given the axe after nine poor games.
Dean Glover could do little better in caretaker charge, including a 3-1 defeat against Leyton Orient followed by the rant of assistant Mark Grew after the match who hounded the players as 'gutless' and the worst he had seen at the club. A definite low point.
This set the tone for the campaign and eventually Lee Sinnott was appointed in charge going into November.
Results still struggled to improve as he added just three more wins by the end of February leaving Vale at the foot of the division, 15 points adrift of safety in March.
One loss in nine in the league did not save them as they were relegated in a 0-0 draw against Huddersfield in April. This was followed by a 6-0 drubbing at Swindon as the players resigned to life down a level. A season to be summed up as a 'disaster' for miserable Port Vale. Maybe a late spell of good form suggests the squad has enough about them to bounce back though.
Manager...
Lee Sinnott is another new boss to the division who arrives as a very popular figure on the terraces.
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The 42-year-old is not held to any account for the relegation of the Valiants last season after being appointed in November. The damage was arguably already done and Sinnott will face true judging next season.
The former Farsley Celtic chief has a fine reputation amongst the non-league scene taking the minnows to three promotions in four seasons, and guiding the near enough 'village side' to the heights of the Blue Square Premier division.
He has got a knack for earning promotion and should have that in sight again at Vale Park as soon as the season kicks-off in August.
Players to watch...
Marc Richards captured on a free transfer from Barnsley missed a lot of last season through inujury. But when fully fit, he should get goals at League Two level.
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Former Shrewsbury forward Luke Rogers knows where the net is too, while Kyle Perry is capable of weighing in with a few. The goals are likely to be spread around next season if all goes well.
Elsewhere, midfielders Rob Taylor and Anthony Griffith are worth watching and should be successful at the fourth tier level.
The rejected contract of Danny Whittaker is a massive blow but Vale will have enough in numbers to cope with the loss.
Strengths...
Port Vale is an extremely well run club who are unlikely to run into money problems any time soon.
Sinnott may not be given bags of money to throw at promotion but their sensible approach in the transfer market could also prove a winning formula. The club has been run by a supporters' consortium for the last five years with fans in some cases re-mortgaging their houses to raise capital.
The long-term future of the Valiants is secured owing to their sturdy set-up with the last 25 years being managed by true club staff. Sinnott is the first boss for some time to be drafted in from an outside source, a decision the board hope can turn the future into a brighter prospect. The mix of factors should be a clear strength.
Weaknesses...
One possible factor could be suffering like Bradford did last term.
Vale have employed a similar season ticket scheme to the Bantams in order to convince more fans to watch them play.
As a result, City last term were defeated many times at home with other teams in the division rising to the occasion of a larger crowd. The Valiants will have to make Vale Park a fortress although this could be difficult.
The way struggled at home just before Christmas. If they can avoid this, they could do very well though.
Crucial factor...
After last season's dismal defencsive record, Sinnott will be looking first and foremost to bring in an experienced centre-back over the summer, and this could prove the key to success.
Not many of Vale's rear guard have been retained and a good shuffle around is certainly what is needed to turn their fortunes.
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How will they fare in League Two...
There is no reason at all to suggest Vale cannot return to League One at the very first attempt.
The league is anticipated to be its most competitive for some time although Sinnott's troops have already been spoken about in the top clutch of teams.
It is a real fresh beginning this term for the team and a sense of optimism looms.
Vale are a high tempo and mobile side and that is testamant to the work of Sinnott already. A faster pace could be what they need to outplay many of the league's stronger and more physical outfits.
NCM Predcition...
With Sinnot given a whole summer and complete season to implement his own methods on the club, Vale will be more than ready to bounce back this season. Automatic promotion may just be out of their reach, but a play-off spot is acheivable.