Port Vale Fan Viewpoint: Steady improvement is fine by me
In the first of a series of features where we ask OVF forum users for their views, it’s PV1973 who offers his insights on the season so far.
Thanks to PV1973 for answering our questions.
What are your thoughts on the season so far?
I think it’s about what I’d expected and hoped really. I wanted to see a settled side, that had a go, played with energy, created chances and had a pattern of play. I didn’t expect us to pushing for the top and neither did I expect to see us in trouble. Steady improvement is fine by me and I think in some games we’ve played some of our best and most exiting stuff for a number of years.
I don’t think we are too many players away from having a solid foundation to build on and push on from
We’ve been in most games, even the Grimsby game for a short whilst it was at 3-2, but I think no ones looked head and shoulders better than us. It’s disappointing that we didn’t get something more in the Salford, Northampton, Newport and Orient games though. But overall we arguably could (and should) be a handful of points better off and I don’t think we are too many players away from having a solid foundation to build on and push on from.
Which players have impressed you?
Gibbons – I can’t recall another full-back I’ve seen this season affecting the game as much as he can with his crossing, energy and his runs forward. So much so teams have ended up changing tactics to try and contain him. His link up play with Worrall is almost telepathic at times. He’s a tenacious defender that will put his body on the line, few teams seem to target his side of the pitch as being a weak link. He just needs to learn when to channel his aggression and when not.
His link up play with Worrall is almost telepathic at times
Legge – this season he’s been the player I hoped we were getting last season. A leader. Strong. No nonsense. An organiser. Consistent. Adding goals to his game is a bonus too.
Smith – another one who’s started the season consistently. He does the basics of being a defender very well. Goes about his business in a manner that goes unnoticed it seems by some fans. I think he’s been back to his form of 2 seasons ago. The goal scoring is the icing on the cake. Improve his ability on the ball and he would be some player.
Joyce – I admit he’s looked a little leggy in a couple of games after a midweek match, but he’s been the anchor for a lot of our good play we’ve seen between Worrall and Gibbo or Amoo and Gibbo. He’s also the one dropping in when we see full backs push on. I think he’s started the season well, he sets the tempo and does the simple things well in keeping the ball. Again, he’s another player who I feel fans don’t realise how good he is because he isn’t a flashy player.
Again, he’s another player who I feel fans don’t realise how good he is because he isn’t a flashy player
Worrall – his energy goes without saying, but when a player makes the runs he does and leads like that then it lifts the team as well as worries the opposition. For me he looks better down the wing where his link up play with Gibbons is a big strength. But he also slotted in to a slightly deeper role and not looked out of place at all. As with every player there’s areas to improve on and goal scoring is his.
Amoo – he may be one of those wingers that can disappear in a game but he can then burst into life and be a game changer. He’s the kind of player we’ve been missing for a few years. Strong, fast, exciting and an eye for goal.
Where do we need to strengthen in January?
I think we need a Manny type midfielder, because there’s no guarantee of his fitness holding out and a proper left-back too, someone used to the position and not a converted player making do.
Are you happy with the manager and his tactics?
In the main, yes, as I said earlier I think we have a plan and have been settled. Look at the back four for example. Last season Aspin would have dropped one of them after the Grimsby game. Whereas Askey seems to have recognised the value of trying to keep a settled back four, they will build a relationship and hopefully will get better from that. We have patterns of play going forward to link full backs, midfielders and forwards and whilst Aspin was more cautious Askey allows players a bit more freedom to get up in support. I like the energy he’s brought into the team too. In time I can see us possibly evolving to have the centre halves getting more involved on the ball. We’ve been a bit unlucky with the injuries, but as I mentioned earlier in some games we’ve played some football that’s better than anything we’ve arguably seen since the promotion season, that’s gives me a glimmer of hope of where Askey can take us maybe next season or the season after with a little bit of investment.
In some games we’ve played some football that’s better than anything we’ve arguably seen since the promotion season
My main criticism would probably be the use of the subs and the lack of a tactical reaction to an oppositions change in tactics. Forest Green and Orient second halves spring to mind. We’ve seen teams shut off our main attacking threat on our right and we’ve done nothing to counter that and in some games stuttered because of it. Also away from home I’d be starting Pope every time, I know he isn’t going to last forever but I think he offers us more when we’re under pressure than Bennet does.