The visitors had a host of chances to take the lead but Vale and their Aussie keeper kept them at bay to claim a point at home. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Port Vale manager Darren Moore rang the changes once again.
Veteran Ben Heneghan came into the defence in preference to Jesse Debrah. Ben Garrity and Rhys Walters provided the defensive midfield pairing with George Hall in front of them. Ruari Paton was selected to partner Devante Cole upfront.
George Byers failed to make the squad which saw Jayden Stockley, Funso Ojo and Mo Faal on the bench.
Ben Heneghan: recalled
First-half
The Valiants started the first-half strongly but opponents Wycombe came into it as the half progressed and the visitors had the better chances.
Vale had a strong start as Darren Moore’s side forced four corners in the opening eight minutes alone.
George Hall was at the heart of Vale’s better moves as Hall himself, Ruari Paton and Marvin Johnson all had chances to open the scoring within the first twenty minutes. Vale were pressing and putting their opponents on the back foot.
However, despite that pressure, it was Wycombe with the best chances as the half progressed. On sixteen minutes, the speedy Onyedinma outpaced Connor Hall but Woodrow’s effort was tipped over by Gauci. On 36 minutes, Gauci came out to meet Onyedinma and just about managed to touch the ball away for Heneghan to clear. Then the best chance of the half came in stoppage time as Onyedinma struck the post.
Vale also suffered a late blow when Marvin Johnson went down and had to be replaced by Debrah. The final chance saw Ruari Paton find the net only to be flagged offside.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers
George Hall: impressive
Second-half
It was the visitors who had nearly all the chances as the Valiants managed to secure a point mainly due to the efforts of Joe Gauci.
Wanderers came close to opening the scoring early on. Heneghan was well placed to block Henderson’s close-range shot. Sam Bell was then set free but shot wide, Onyedinma outpaced Hall only to be denied by Gauci and Lowry shot just wide as the visitors dominated the opening stages of the half.
Vale were hanging on and the crowd were getting frustrated as the match approached the hour mark. There were pointed cheers as Funso Ojo, the choice of many to start, was finally brought on.
The visitors continued to press for the opener and they found the woodwork again when Bell’s fierce drive struck the woodwork and the follow-up was well tipped over by Gauci. Vale were grateful for the Aussie stopper preventing Wycombe taking the lead.
It took until 65 minutes for Vale to have a shot on target but when it came it was an excellent volley from Walters which was tipped over. It was then back to Wycombe as Onyedinma drove wide from yet another Wanderers attack.
There was another rare Vale attack as Devante Cole broke but his effort was saved. However, it was still the visitors who looked the most likely to score as Vale could neither create periods of pressure or chances.
It was disappointing when the final whistle went, but arguably it could have been so much worse.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Joe Gauci: fine saves
Analysis
The match
This was an improvement on some of Vale’s previous insipid performances. However, it was also evidence of thei familiar failings – notably the inability to capitalise on chances and the defence’s vulnerability to pacy attacks.
Moore’s changes also raised the usual eyebrows. Johnson’s exit was unplanned but when Ojo replaced John there were now no recognised wingbacks in the side but there were four centre-halves and four central midfielders. The formation in the closing stages therefore appeared increasingly random.
The players
George Hall was lively in the first-half as was Marvin Johnson until he was unfortunately injured. I also thought captain Ben Garrity put in a hard working performance and Rhys Walters showed flashes of skill. Ben Heneghan looked solid on his return to the defence but Connor Hall was clearly troubled by the pace of dangerman Onyedinma. It’s a good job Joe Gauci was in fine form as he kept out a number of Wycombe attempts.
Star player
Joe Gauci
Summing up in a sentence
Vale hang on to claim a point.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Humphreys, Heneghan, C.Hall – John (Ojo), Garrity, Walters (Shipley), Johnson (Debrah) – G.Hall – Paton (Brown), Cole
Subs: Amos, Stockley, Faal,
Yellows: Heneghan, John, Debrah, Ojo, Cole
Reds: none
Goals: none
Attendance: 6,783 (443 visitors)
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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445 on a Saturday Port Vale 0….a very common theme. Lucky to get a point. Time to get out of the club Mr Moore. The chorus of boos at the end towards you should give you the hint. I hear Fred carnos circus need a ringmaster. Taxi
I posted before the game that the Vale might do well to battle for a draw to stop the rot. Well, it was an end to three consecutive defeats, but not the goal drought that has put the club firmly in the relegation zone. Two clubs below holding up the division have games in hand, which magnify Vale’s predicament that is in danger of becoming entrenched.
I thought Moore started a decent team today, which it seems started positively. For the remainder of the match the Vale battled to hang on. Wycombe are well organised but modest mid table opponents, and three points should have been in reach.
As long as Vale are stuck in the drop zone, Moore’s tenure will be scrutinized. Defeat to Plymouth in next week’s “6 pointer” home game will put his Vale future on a knife edge.
Another tough watch, Vale can consider themselves fortunate to get a point from a game where they were once again outplayed, out thought and most worryingly only had one shot on target in the entire game. Vale look lethargic and void of ideas in the attacking third which is a major concern. Not sure what the answer is but if we don’t start scoring goals then it’s game over and the only outcome will be relegation. Next week’s game against Plymouth is a massive 6 pointer even at this stage of the season. keep the faith. Up the Vale
Even when we had no wing backs and being overrun in midfield, DM persisted with 5 at the back….. beggars belief
Looking at the starting eleven, other than there being no place for Ojo or Croasdale I wasn’t to disappointed. At least Byers had been omitted and we went with two forwards. But it all started to go horribly wrong when Johnson had to go off. Why on earth do you bring on Debrah? We had more than enough height at the back in Humphreys-Heneghan-Hall, then not being happy with that he expects him to play at wingback marking a little quick winger. Moore then decided to move John over to the left and basically weakening both wingback positions. From that point Wycombe took control and it was backs against the wall. Why he just couldn’t put Debrah in the middle and move Humphreys out to wingback with him being a lot more mobile I don’t know. The situation got even worse when John came off leaving Hall chasing shadows. The only bright spot for me was when Ojo came on, we at least started to move the ball a bit quicker and we did actually make two chances, firstly Walters and then Cole. Moore seems totally void of any ideas of what to do or how to change things around, and for the last hour Vale were second best. The squad which for me looked good enough for this level is now starting to look desperately short of pace, goals, cover and confidence under this manager. One thing that sums up how ridiculous this manager is was the two none used outfield subs, Stockley and Faal. Why choose two identical players to put on the bench both of which hardly ever play. Whilst Moore has put this enormous squad together so many of them have to be labelled not good enough.
Never been a fan of DM, it was just another tick in the box for our publicity hungry Chairperson. His record at Huddersfield was abysmal so she brings him in on a 5 year deal…wow. Yes he inherited a poor team but he could not turn them round at all, well this his his squad now and we are looking at relegation again. Sack him now before it’s to late, clueless.
Are you still there Mr Moore, We have had enough of you now, your tactics are beyond belief, the football is totally boring, please do the honourable thing and leave the club NOW, enough is enough, you are just taking us around in a circle, at least give us a chance of survival,