[January Transfers and Rumours]

What were they not impressed with?

The pies. Bring back Wrights was the chant.

[Crosby In]

(Some) Vale fans frustrate me. On Tuesday I witnessed booing when the ball was played across the defence or played back to Ripley, despite us keeping possession, but the same fans also booed when the ball was played long and was picked up by the opposition. We are not Man City, so we don’t have world class players and we all have to accept that mistakes will be made - but I’d rather us at least try to play a modern style of possession-based football than go back to the hoofball that we played in the 80s, which was awful but was in-keeping with the style at the time. Any half-decent team that’s above grassroots level, nowadays, is coached to play in this modern style, so it’s not going to change and we need to accept it, warts and all. 

I agree to some point but on Tuesday in that first half without having Ojo and Arblaster to call for the ball we simply had no idea. 2nd half, Devine dropped deeper and was able to request the ball from the defenders.

Sometimes we will give it away but sometimes we have to pass back to create more space forward.

[Crosby In]

 
Is that the same as he accepted there's no excuse for the 7-0 loss on the opening day of the season? The same one in the tepid performance against an injury ravaged Middlesborough side at home recently in a game we lost at a whimper? Or the loss at home to Stevenage in the FA Cup when his substitutions and in-game management lost us a 2 goal lead with 10 minutes remaining?
Excuse. Excuse. Excuse. Spin. Spin. Spin.

Unless you’re one of the big boys then you are bound to have games where they are shocking. I’m not trying to make excuses but there will be games where we just don’t turn up. It’s not something new. It’s been happening since 1876.

[Crosby In]

I’m still in the Crosby in camp and I’m hoping for a slice of luck with injuries and a good LWB and another striker in the transfer window. I’m not expecting miracles but would be happy to finish 15th or above. People can call me happy clapper but I’ve actually quite enjoyed the football this year. We are progressing and small tactically changed have helped these past few games. However there is no excuse for the first half the other day and the manager has accepted that.

I’m not criticising the Crosby out camp and can certainly understand their point of view. I just hope the team can win them back around with a good string of performances and results.

[Ale and the Vale Podcast]

Just listening to the podcast now.
Talking of left footed players, can people remember Paul Edwards? I can’t think of a more one footed player.

[Ale and the Vale Podcast]

Only started listening to these over the last few weeks when all was well.
I was concerned that this was going to be all doom and gloom and put me off.
However I was pleasantly surprised with how sensible all your views were. Fingers crossed we go on another good run now.

Keep up the good work lads.