Review: Battling but one-sided Vale?
OVF editor Rob Fielding was at the Oient game and amongst plenty of positives, he argues for a possible change on Vale’s left wing.
It’s becoming a familiar story but Vale’s strengths lie in attack while their weaknesses are in defence, so it made sense for Micky Adams to pick an attacking side…
Rob Fielding writes…
Overall impressions
It was an impressive display by the Valiants with Micky Adams team not looking outclassed by the league leaders. It’s becoming a familiar story but Vale’s strengths lie in attack while their weaknesses are in defence, so it made sense for Micky Adams to pick an attacking side.
What worked
I was impressed by three players in particular; Jennison Myrie-Williams was a bag of tricks and must be a nightmare to defend against; Doug Loft was full of energy and commitment in midfield while Chris Neal was as solid as ever in goal.
What was OK?
I like seeing Louis Dodds in the team, especially in a central position. Yes, he drifts in and out of games, but he can also produce a ‘moment of magic’ as he did with the opening goal. Anthony Griffith, one awfully misplaced pass aside, was strong in the midfield and Tom Pope looked back to his old self upfront and also helped out in defence.
The case for the defence
OK, the second goal we conceded was not great, but overall I was moderately impressed with the defence. I haven’t been bowled over by Richard Duffy’s performances before, but I thought he was solid. Liam Chilvers and Chris Robertson were good in the air but struggled more when challenged with trickery on the ground. As for Carl Dickinson…
It may have looked like Carl Dickinson was struggling there but I felt he was left exposed by Kaid Mohamed not tracking back…
Well, a lot of Orient attacks came through the impressive Odubajo on their right (and Vale’s left). It may have looked like Carl Dickinson was struggling there but I felt he was left exposed by Kaid Mohamed not tracking back. That was in contrast to Jenno, who despite not being the best tackler frequently tracked back.
What needed changing?
We remain one-sided because I don’t think Kaid Mohamed is up to the pace of League One yet. I think he may need a spell as a sub to bring him up to speed. Thus all Vale’s threat is via Jennison Myrie-Williams’ wing and pretty soon, teams are going to figure that out.
For that reason, Vale need to look at options – I would think the loan market is a good option, although Micky Adams tends to opt for more experienced players, so if that won’t work how about switching JMW to the left and putting another pacy player on the right. My choice would be Gavin Tomlin, who has played on the wing in the past.
Player ratings:
- Neal: 7
- Duffy: 6
- Chilvers: 7
- Robertson: 7
- Dickinson: 6
- Myrie-Williams: 8
- Griffith: 7
- Loft: 8
- Mohamed: 5
- Dodds: 7 (Williamson 6)
- Pope: 6