Bycarsbill

Or, it could mean that the owner has taken note and we are seeing a subtle change in the playing set-up. I'm pinning my hopes on it!

Of course, I do agree about the damage that he has done. I'm just hoping that the comment about DM & coaching team being more involved, is indeed a tacit agreement from the owner that recruitment policy and responsibility may be changing to an extent. Fingers crossed!

I never suggested that relegation isn't the more likely outcome. But if you read the statement closely, there does appear to be an acceptance that DM + team will be more involved in player recruitment issues. If I'm correct in this, it does suggest pragmatism and not pigheadedness.

I picked up on that comment too and hopefully will take a little comfort from it if we are correct in our assumption that DM and his coaching team are going to have a greater say in player recruitment!

You appear not to believe the summary agreed by ALL sides involved in the discussions. On what basis are you asserting that Carol is "pigheaded"? This meeting may well have been overdue, but my reading between the lines of the agreed statement is that it appeared to be a frank exchange of views and some progress was clearly made in bridging the gap between owners and fans. Obviously, the proof will indeed be in the pudding, but why not give Carol another chance before climbing in with a personal smear based on your pre-judgement?

Clowns may understand technology, but you sure don't do iriony! What's abusive about admiring your clown header? You chose it--perhaps you should reflect on that? !

You chose the clown icon! Just backing up your choice--clearly most appropriate, you should be proud.

Oh grow up you clown! Most fitting by the way 🤪

"News" as implied in the word, refers to something that is current. Not something that's almost a week old! What's your definition of up to date? Oh, BTW, today's "news": we lost 3-0 at Pride Park!

Says a lot about the PV website editorial personnel!

But still showing as lead story today the 4th!

Front page today on Vale website!

Okay, understood. Thanks.

If this is the case, why then only announce the appointments today?

Interesting developments on the coaching side announced today on the PV official website. An assistant manager plus 3 other coaches appointed. Obviously DM will now have his own backroom team and hopefully, that will be beneficial to us on the playing side. However, this poses some questions: why wasn't the 'whole package' put together at the same time as DM's appointment. We've already suffered four defeats out of five since DM arrived and there'll no doubt now be a further 'bedding-in' period as the new coaches get to know and work with the players and vice-versa. Four additional salaries will also add hefty costs to the 'on-field budget pot'. This suggests there was money available in this 'pot.' This therefore begs the question why it wasn't utilised in recruiting a left-sided defender + a goalscorer? Realistically however good these new coaches are and however well they fit into DM's longer term strategy, the fact remains that the meagre and unbalanced playing resources we have are not going to be any different! To end on a more positive note, let's hope that because they've all worked together before, the new coaching team will be able to give greater support to DM and help to turn around our on-pitch fortunes, God knows, we need some changes soon.

That's a fair and rational summary. For those of us who go back far enough (in my case to 1953!) historically, we've been in the lowest two leagues a lot more than we've been at second tier level!

I agree. Wouldn't we all? Unfortunately, I expect it to be a considerable wait until we again reach the 'dizzy' heights of the second tier!

More likely National League in 2026!

And they'll overtake us next game!

Well that's it, all over!

Blackpool have just taken the lead against Shrewsbury. Another team that we need to continue losing if we are to have any hope of a Houdini escape!

Even Stoke have managed to score!

Fleetwood giving it a go against Wigan to continue their recent improvement!

Even at 5mins.....whoops!!!

Great start! Don't know about no forwards, we've had no defence all season!