Port Vale fans panel on the Oxford game – “a glimmer of hope” and “fragile bit of confidence”

The questions

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What are your thoughts after the draw at Leyton Orient? Is it a welcome upturn in form or too late to make any difference?

Steve: Its a well worn cliché but a point away from home is always a good point. Unfortunately we are in the position now where we need a good run of wins in the remaining matches if there is to be a relegation great escape. Still, it’s a good point against a decent mid table team and a clean sheet too.

Paul: I thought the Orient game was a decent performance. It actually looked like the players put in a shift and we played some good stuff at times. Although both teams had chances. Wilson missed the sitter of the game and we should have had a stonewall penalty. It gives a glimmer of hope.

Craig: The Orient game showed the same lack of quality in all areas of the pitch. However, there appeared to be more passion and spirit in the performance. To be blunt at least they put a shift in which cannot be said for previous games. A point is a point, however, we need to be picking up wins now our situation has reached that stage where I fear single points won’t be enough

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Which players would you select for Saturday’s game against Oxford?

Steve: Our line up has chopped and changed as the manager has coped with injuries and he has also struggled to find his best eleven as we have lurched from one disaster to another. Whilst it was only a draw away in our last match, with our current run of form that almost counts as a win. I therefore wouldn’t change a “winning side” and see if we can carry a fragile bit of confidence into the Oxford game.

Paul: For Saturday’s game against Oxford I’d start the same team. For all I’ve said about Massey I thought he showed well against Orient. No more back three again either. We are much better with a back four.

Craig: I would be tempted to start with the same team as Tuesday, although maybe replace Lowe with Chislett. Despite being inconsistent he still poses a goal threat. If we don’t score we won’t win.

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Oxford seem to be a tough task. How do you think Vale will do?

Steve: Oxford took a battering at Bolton in midweek but are still handily placed just outside the play-offs. However, current Vale performances have been poor regardless of who we have played and where that team are sitting in the League. I think an early Vale goal would settle the nerves and maybe apply a bit of pressure on Oxford and I feel the first goal will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game. I’m hoping for a win, I would be satisfied with a draw but I’m expecting a defeat.

Paul: Oxford will be a tough game. But when you’re second bottom every game is a tough game! If we play like we did against Orient then we will give them a game. The worry is where the goals are coming from.

Craig: My heart says win but head says draw.

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It’s seven without a win for Darren Moore. Is he wrong man for the job or simply doing his best with a highly limited squad?

Steve: Our Manager is certainly having to deal with one of the weakest, badly balanced Port Vale sides of recent years. True he hasn’t had the “new manager bounce” but I attribute that to the quality of the hand he has been dealt rather than a reflection of Darren Moore. Give him a summer window with hopefully full licence to sign his own players and then start judging him. Regrettably I feel that will be in League Two.

Paul: Moore can’t be judged with what he has at his disposal. Quite frankly If he does get fired if we go down, then that would be a ridiculous decision and very damning on the incompetence, considering he got given a five and a half year contract last month!

Craig: It has taken him longer to make an impact than I would have expected as most teams get a reaction when a new manager comes in. Apart from the first half at Reading and spells on Tuesday we look no different. Despite all his experience, his stats aren’t exceptional, however he has been left with a squad lacking in quality and low on confidence. I think he has almost been given a free pass for this season and if he keeps us up fair play. If not then he will be judged on the start of next season, when hopefully he will have been able to bring in better players.

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Any other business?

Steve: A lot has been made about the crowd being the twelfth man and I feel we have done our bit whilst the players have let us down badly. I think Darren Moore now needs to ram it down the players’ throats that its time for them to step up to the plate and start delivering, give us something to cheer for once. Not only for the fans’ benefit but also for their own futures, wherever that maybe.

Paul: To stay up we have to be in contention with four games to go. And by that I mean be no more than four points off safety. Three out of our last four are all at home and if, and it’s a big if, we can build a bit of momentum and hang on to the coat tails you never know. Of course that starts on Saturday. Three points would be massive.

Craig: I really think we are the last chance saloon now with the mixture of fixtures we have remaining. Fans are clinging to the hope that we can keep the likes of Burton and Cambridge in our reach as we still have to play them. I fear the damage has already been done as we would have to win as many games in the remaining ten matches than we have all season to give us any chance. Hopefully the fans will give their support, however, I feel a lot will have given up, just as they believe some of the players have!

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