In a repeat of last week’s fans panel’s views there’s some serious discontent about the Port Vale performance at home to Doncaster Rovers.
In this fans panel we selected two Vale fans to discuss the latest game. If you want to be considered for the fans panel please contact us
This week’s panel
- Steve from Clayton, a Port Vale fan since the early 80’s
- Stephen from Milehouse, a Port Vale fan since 1972
- Paul from Bradwell, a Port Vale fan since 1980
Questions and Answers
What are your thoughts of the game?
Steve: Vale were undone by pace. It looked a strong starting eleven although due to our squad strength I’m sure we can all debate what Vale’s strongest line up actually is. Doncaster looked like a team full of confidence and well drilled with a game plan and a style that worked. Their pace caused us problems all game, a game we seemed to be always chasing. At half-time 1-1 gave us a chance to regroup. On the restart I barely had time to sit down in my seat before we were behind, outdone by pace yet again and not for the first time. Goal three followed and we looked out of the game although there was no total collapse. Our subs changed the dynamic for the positive and we gave it a go although too late in the game.
Stephen: The first 75 minutes were turgid, I was bored by the football we were trying to play. Doncaster are well organised and settled. As their third goal was rattled in I said “that’s how you attack”. We (all of us sitting together in the Lorne Street) thought we were playing worse than last season. The last fifteen minutes we got the ball down and played and then we were on top and it was a close end to the game. Overall though it was too little too late.
Paul: Same old same old. Nothing’s going to change is it? We have a fantastic squad on paper and it’s being orchestrated by a seemingly defensive minded clueless manager. The game for most parts was full of effort but tactically inept. Again.
What’s going wrong for Vale right now?
Steve: At least there was no collapse but we looked disjointed and without a plan. Pumping the long ball up to Paton who was being marked by a big centre half was totally ineffective. If we opt for that style then Stockley must play but with two upfront, certainly at home. I get it that we need to gel but we didn’t look comfortable on the ball. At least there was effort it was just not effective. Whats wrong with us? I wish I could give an easy answer. Does Darren Moore know what his best starting side is and ironically following last seasons debacle is he now spoiled for choice?
Stephen: Tactics and style of play. We play best when we keep the ball down and use the width and when we press. Yesterday we hoofed it down the middle or up the flanks but either to Paton, who was surrounded by players bigger than him, or into “space” (I will attempt to be generous and think they were intentional and not just punts out of desperation) and hoping that our players can be fast enough and have the skill to get to and control the ball before the opposition, and then that we have people in the danger areas. We appear to still be playing almost the Flitcroft way of getting up towards the opponents box and then going back a bit. It loses momentum and it has to change. Where is the fast slick free-flowing football that Darren Moore promised? I did see it yesterday, but from Doncaster and not Vale. The clapping in the Lorne Street of the visiting supporters’ chant about our style of play speaks volumes.
Paul: I’ve been an advocate of Moore but he has to go. Yes, it’s early but it’s clear for all to see that that type of football, with the squad we have, will not work. And he isn’t changing. Pay him up and let’s move on. We can’t leave it until November and be way off the pace. We need promotion this season.
Which players did well/struggled?
Steve: For me, only Croasdale came out with credit from the starters. Garrity gave his all but we are wasting his talent by playing him too deep and not pushing him forward enough. Only at the end did this change and he was much more dangerous. Its a strange one in that I didn’t come away from the game feeling our players had been poor just we didn’t fully utilise their strengths. The introduction of Benicio and Chizzy livened thing up and asked questions of a previously largely untroubled Doncaster defence.
Stephen: Kyle John was my top player, Strong in the tackles and tenacious and trying to win the ball back and keep it, how we needed that last season! Also Croasdale, Byers, who I think bought control to our overrun midfield, and Benicio.
Paul: Cover was good. As was Tolaj. Croasdale was man of the match again. However, Curtis was well off it and I’ve seen nothing from him so far to say that he’s good enough. He’s fast becoming this season’s Conor Grant. Paton may as well run a 10k every week. He has no support whatsoever. The two centre backs were atrocious.
Any other business?
Steve: Of the two teams on show, Doncaster were the team that looked promotion candidates and took the game to us as if they were the home side. Darren Moore now has the tools to do the job. In fact it would be fair to say his toolbox is fully stocked, he just needs to use them and in the right combination. Up till now he hasn’t found that style and blend. We are well equipped with strikers but we seem incapable of using that threat and pinning teams back in their own half. Last season upon joining us we did not get a new manager bounce, almost the opposite. Moore had the excuse that we were a very poor team, which was true and appeased the majority of our fans. We have spent big and expectations are big. Moore needs to start getting results sooner rather than later. Although its still early, we currently look worse than the sum of our parts.
Stephen: The Lorne Street Mens toilets still don’t have all the hand driers working (it’s been four seasons now!) and I reported one to the club twice and it has not been dealt with. Also whats this about warning about flying footballs? Is it banter from the media team or have the lawyers insisted? Next we will be behind netting for our own safety (especially with our hoof ball)!
Paul: The only problem at Port Vale Football Club right now is Darren Moore. I can’t knock any players for effort but they look totally lost. Ben Garrity must be fuming because he looks totally lost in this system. Football at this level is very simple. Footballers don’t need to be in the “classroom” as Moore points out. We’ve got the players to play a basic attacking 4-4-2. One up top, who is so isolated, is a disgrace at this level from a supposed top coach.
In my opinion, we have the squad and Carol needs to be ruthless and pull the plug on Darren NOW. The man is totally out of his depth in management right now. The Sheffield experience is probably harming him. He dived straight back in at Huddersfield and then straight in with us. I think he’s in a whirlwind where he doesn’t know what he’s doing himself and maybe needs a break from football.
If Darrell Clarke had this squad we would be destroying teams week in week out. Sadly he’s at Barnsley. This club fast needs a manager with a connection to the fans. Gareth Ainsworth took Wycombe from league Two to the championship. He’s a Vale legend. He’s had a good break from football after his QPR experience and that’s where I would go.
Moore can’t last. Fans say it’s bad when you lose the dressing room. Unfortunately for him he’s never had the fans to lose them and that’s the biggest problem.
Agree or disagree? Post a comment below.
Out or all the players brought in, he – Moore must Decide on his 1st 11 and stick with , too much chopping and changing is no good .
Agree with the panel. Paul has nailed it for me. I just can’t help thinking that this is and will be another harsh lesson in the learning curve for Carol, this time in regards to the manager recruitment process. Darren Moore has committed fundamental errors already: Playing paton up top alone and playing Garrity in a deep position when there are 15/20 goals for him in this side. There is no pattern of play, no organisation in the back line, which lacks pace, many players seem unsure of their role and this affects confidence on the ball. I do hope I’m wrong but x1 win in 15 home games suggests otherwise? There is the onset of malaise at the club, the positives will soon be forgotten as will the money spent. The atmosphere on Saturday was as low as last season in parts. So sad. Come on Vale and Darren Moore, get it sorted.
Bloated squad, muddled tactics, consecutive defeats, and 11 goals conceded in 3 games against Barrow and Doncaster. Some supporters have decided that it’s time for Moore to be dismissed. A couple more defeats and Moore could be on his way, despite his 5 year contract. The owners have shown before that they can be ruthless. A similarly lengthy contract didn’t save Darrel Clarke, and he had a Vale promotion in his locker.
We have talented players who are not being allowed to play their natural game eg Garrity. Chislett should be on from the start not on the bench. 6 points from the next 2 league games otherwise Moore should be fired.
I am perplexed where Nathan Smith is because he was named as substitute at Barrow and he was not named on Saturday. Surely we need him at the centre of two tall defenders to block off the quick attackers on the ground? We are leaking too many goals despite playing only one upfront.
In reply to Andrew Rennie I don’t think Smith is included in Darren Moores plan for the team I don’t know why? The same goes for Diamond Edwards good start against Barrow then disappears. Several of the players who were signed have not featured in a competitive match.
Largely agree what all have saidbut as you say it seem as though darren Moore had no plan at all but the 2 passes for mossy split port vale wide open it would have taken a worldy of a goalkeeper to keep them out.what can you say about sharpy does what he does best in any penalty box.all in all port vale are not a bad side just need better organisation as some of their play was shabby at times
Same problem as last season. Three centre halves playing a high line and the wing backs attacking when we go forward as coached. As soon as we lose the ball. The opposition knock the ball over the top of our high line and they’re in on goal. Simple as that. We need a flat back four, we have a really good, experienced midfield and forwards who look sharp.
People are over looking the main problem at the Vale, and that is Carol Shanahan’s decision making. In the short period of time she has been here, she has sacked 3 managers, 2 of which she chose. Her third attempt at choosing a manager has lumbered us with possibly the worst manager the EFL has ever seen. Then insists on paying him a huge wage along with a 5 year contract. She forced out Steve Speed our loyal and well respected groundsman, then decides to spend a fortune on the pitch. Colin Garlick was the next person to be shown the door, this after insisting he was the person why she purchased the club in the first place. Her constant mind changing is mind blowing, and a very expensive hindrance to the club. She then replaced Garlick with Hancock, who to me knows nothing about football, isn’t even interested in football, and shows nothing but contempt towards the fan’s wishes. On top of all this who can forget her blind loyalty to Flitcroft after giving him the reins to the club. I have nothing but respect for how Carol and her family came a long at the time of Vale’s need, but Carols decision making or her family’s decision making is costing the club a fortune and making us a laughing stock.
Darren Moore is similar to Wayne Rooney USELESS
What Ian Mountford says makes a lot of sense, Carol needs to get a grip.Darren Moore is not for Port Vale, he is making us a laughing stock, The opposition team got it right on Saturday he does play Sh- – football, he has not got a clue, how to position the players he has purchased.Me personally I am getting a bit fed up looking at the same mistakes week in and week out.