Opposing views: Notts County (H)
Ahead of our second home league game of the season, we take a look at the views and opinions of a fan of our opponents Notts County.
1. How do you expect your team to do this season?
I am keen to see stability and hopefully a manager to see out the first complete season for a while…
I expect them to perform better than last year, I am keen to see stability and hopefully a manager to see out the first complete season for a while. I’d say mid-table, anywhere from 12th to 16th really.
2. Who should we watch out for?
The whole squad to be fair, any of them could surprise you. It’s hard to judge who will stand out because they differ from game to game but as a whole – Noble, Murray, Cassidy, Wroe and perhaps Carroll (if any of the Port Vale players like to go in with challenges on the keeper he won’t stand for it – be warned).
3. What are your thoughts on your manager and his signings this season?
Average signings to be fair, nothing special but sometimes you just need a squad rather than individuals.
Liam Noble is starting to show signs of his ability, Nicky Wroe is your typical lower league player and Blair Adams is probably the player who stands out the most.
Shaun Derry is a character, I like him and think his attitude and ambition will come good…
Shaun Derry is a character, I like him and think his attitude and ambition will come good. He can differ from “Legendary” to “Clueless” with some fans but I think he’s showing signs that he can be a very, very good manager. What he achieved last season, promotion form to save us from the drop was unbelievable. I can honestly say we were lucky, as we should have been down before Christmas.
4. What are your thoughts on your board and off-field club activities?
I can’t say I really have any interest in what the board do or don’t, I am not a fan who concerns myself with that. We have owners and a board who are working, they try things and sometimes that fails – plus it could be worse, we could have Fawaz Al Hasawi running the circus.
5. Which one Vale player would you take past or present to add value to your squad?
Just one? We could do with a couple to be fair. Richard Duffy, Steve Jennings and Tom Pope are all players I’ve always rated. Liam Chilvers and Lee Hughes (former Vale player) are ones to forget about. I’d take Richard Duffy over the others.
6. How do you expect Vale to do this season?
I quite fancy you guys as outside favourites for a lower play-off spot…
I quite fancy you guys as outside favourites for a lower play-off spot. If this isn’t the case, I am sure you will be safe and above us come the end of the season.
7. What is your team’s most memorable game with Vale?
I don’t mean this to sound disrespectful but none of our past encounters which I have seen stand out. None have really been classics, just typical battles on the pitch. The last time we played was vital for us, so winning and seeing new striker Jimmy Spencer scoring twice was good.
8. A score prediction?
2-2…
Murray and Jones for Notts
Birchall and Brown for Vale