Mansfield 4-0 Port Vale match report
Mansfield 4-0 Port Vale: Leon Legge saw red as it took just 42 seconds for Port Vale’s 2021 to get off to the worst possible start against Mansfield Town. It was a woeful performance by the Valiants.
What did you think of that Port Vale performance? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the end of the article.
Manager John Askey named the same starting eleven that battled against Bradford but poor concentration saw Vale concede within the first minute. Mansfield attacked on their right flank and after the initial shot was tipped onto the post by Scott Brown, Ollie Clarke made no mistake with the rebound to give the home side a stunning start.
The goal rattled the Valiants and the only positive play of note in the first-half came from a mazy run by Alex Hurst that forced a good save low down.
However, Mansfield were causing Port Vale’s defence far more problems and could have arguably had more than their two goal half-time lead. That second goal came from a free-kick and the ball found Jordan Bowery whose close range finish gave Brown no chance. An incandescent Vale keeper was then booked for hoofing the ball into the stands.
John Askey made three changes at the break but the second-half began as badly as the first as Leon Legge picked up a second booking and was dismissed. It was Legge’s second dismissal of the season.
Port Vale’s ten men actually looked a little better than the eleven in the first-half and good interplay between subs Montano and Pope saw the veteran put his shot narrowly wide. However, the home side made the points safe on 70 minutes when Scott Burgess fouled in the box and Jordan Bowery scored the resulting penalty. Five minutes later, more poor defending allowed Bowery to complete his hat-trick with a drive past Scott Brown.
In the closing moments, Vale conceded a second penalty when Shaun Brisley fouled in the box but substitute Tyrese Sinclair fired the penalty wide.
There were simply no positives for the Valiants to take from this game. It was an awful performance which rivalled that against Barrow. The attack and midfield were second-best to Mansfield throughout but the defensive display was appalling. Port Vale seem completely incapable of keeping a clean sheet and look capable of shipping multiple goals all game.
It is a result which heaps more pressure on manager John Askey. Things have to improve and I suspect it will be a busy January transfer window at the club.
Full-time: Mansfield 4-0 Port Vale
What did you think of that Port Vale performance? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the end of the article.
Port Vale: Brown – Smith, Legge, Brisley, Fitzpatrick (Montano) – Joyce, Burgess, Whitehead (Pope)- Amoo (Mills), Rodney, Hurst (Worrall)
Subs: Visser, Cullen, Bailey
James
2nd January 2021 @ 7:05 pm
The Vanarama looks certain unless we sack the manager this weekend.
We haven’t got a clue I wonder what value the back room staff contribute , also what involvement does John Rudge have.
The club as a profession feel of the pitch.
The time to act is now .
PVFC
2nd January 2021 @ 7:50 pm
Seen managers come and go, but with the sides big players missing most of the time it would be difficult for any manager to get results. Conlon,Montanno,Cullen Manny and Worrall would be missed by any side in this division. All five out is a massive blow for our attacking options, also Amoo has been missing for a number of games. As for the defence that has been a joke since early season. That said who would have replaced the two centre halves prior to the season starting, Askey kept faith as would most of the supporters. He can only change it now because of restrictions. His only mistake has been loyalty to the players who served him well last season. Let’s see if he can turn the season around in this transfer window as with a fully fit squad now without any additions we have enough to stay up. Be careful what you wish for another Jim Gannon may await.
Maurice. Williams
2nd January 2021 @ 10:51 pm
Has he gone yet? If John Askey is still in a job come Monday he has got more lives than a cat or he’s part of the secret hand shake society what a shambles vale players should donate this weeks pay packet to charity .Any other manager would be down the road by now. Come on cards and coppers time. If the vale coach driver had any sense he would have drove off at half time. Thank you vale players for another miserable weekend. Some one told me that 25 is vale’s lucky number because that’s the amount of points we will finish on after 46 games I bet Grimsby can’t wait to get on their coach and come to vale park.
Kev Sherwin
3rd January 2021 @ 9:15 am
As much as the buck stops with the manager he cannot be solely to blame. He can be blamed if he knows he’s lost the dressing room because he should walk away for the good of the club. Those players were playing for him last season and at the start of this, yes he’s had injuries to key players, but he also being let down by some of his so called experienced ones. Yesterday was an embarrassment to everyone, legge should be ashamed, yes it was poor play in midfield in the build up but his challenge was almost like he didn’t want to be there anymore. As for the rest if you cant manage to pass a ball 5/10 yards to a team mate then you need to consider doing something else, there was no leaders out there until Pope and Monty came on and started to show some passion. Workrate comes from within the players, they need to do that for the club, not just the manager. Askey out? Like the previous comment be careful who you wish for
Ron howells
3rd January 2021 @ 7:17 pm
I have not been watching it live this season but from what you are all saying the players who are not bothered should be dropped and i know we have injuries but we are losing anyway so it must be better having 11 players who will at least try tha half a team who are not also considering how the club have looked after them financialy during the covid situation those who cant be bothered should hang their heads in shame