“Workmanlike performance” – the fans panel on Salford 0-2 Port Vale

It’s fair to say our three supporters were happy with the solid performance and confidence for the season is high in Burslem…

Questions and Answers

A good result – what did you think of the match?

Paul: A great result, a clean sheet and a workman like performance. We were never really under any sustained threat after a cagey start.

Steve: It was good to lose the losing mentality. OK, we are in a Division lower but the result today and getting off to a good start was important after last season’s debacle. Having said that it was a battling, aggressive performance with plenty of fight and physicality. All qualities which were missing last season.

Brian: It wasn’t the most entertaining but the best teams churn out results and that’s exactly what we did. Apart from one clearance, I don’t think Ripley was tested as our defence looked so solid – which is such a change from last season.

Which players stood out for you?

Paul: A great showing from Sang who I thought was a real plus. He seems to be a top lad and a Jack of all trades and did the club proud today. The two lads up top, I sense, will get going once they start scoring. Ben is Ben. Put a £2m release clause in his contract!! He reminds me a lot of Stewart Talbot back in the day.

Steve: A good all around performance with plenty of 7/10s. Garrity’s two goals was the stand-out performance from our Captain with all the new boys acquitting themselves well. Special mention to Sang who played at the level we were expecting when we signed him and a marked improvement on last season.

Brian: Sang had one of his best games on the right but I was also impressed by Hart who ploughed into a couple of challenges. Garrity did brilliantly of course but it’s nice to say that pretty much everyone did well. The only very minor negative was the forwards but I think they just need a few more games to gel.

How do you think Vale will do this season?

Paul: I think we will do well. It’s a long season. Let’s check the League Table around November to see where our season will lie. We have players to come in. Let’s not get too carried away. Salford are a poor outfit who finished twentieth in this league last season. Bigger tests lie ahead but with our squad, and a manager who I highly rate, we should be minimum play-offs.

Steve: One swallow doesn’t make a summer and its hard to know if we have just beaten a title contender or a relegation struggler. The quality of the signings we made and keeping Garrity and Chizzy must make us challengers at the right end of the table. The Bookies are rarely wrong. A big plus is the injured players we still have to come into the team.

Brian: It’s early doors but we’ve got maximum points so far. I’m sure there will be both highs and lows but the good thing about this season is the squad depth. Considering we were missing three or four probable starters on Saturday it’s a great sign when we pull out a win. I’m quietly optimistic about our chances but ask me again after ten games.

Any other business

Paul: We’ve had a fantastic summer even though fans have got anxious over pre-season results. They really don’t matter and never will do. I actually think it’s the modern day fan who watches all these Premier League friendlies and think pre-season matches matter! They don’t results wise. All in it’s all a good day at the office. We will win more. We will lose some. It’s important as a fanbase that when we do lose we stay level headed and stick by this group.  It’s one down and 45 to go, to get out of this league at the first attempt. I’m confident with the structure we have that we can accomplish it.

Steve: It was good to keep a clean sheet which was a bonus but I feel our strength will be our firepower. I’m looking forward to watching a Vale team playing on the front foot with other teams fearing us and worrying how they will cope with our goal threats.

Brian: I can’t wait for the first game at Vale Park it’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere.