Hitcher

I was reflecting on last season and how in our run in we basically stayed up as Bristol rovers were on the beach. Anyway here is my view of the motivations of teams in our fixtures across the run in: - Oxford (H) - Play off chasers on a bad run - Burton (A) - Relegation 6 pointer - Bristol Rovers (H) - Mid table nothingness, but too soon to be on holiday - Northampton (A) -See above - Wigan (A) - See above - Peterborough (A) - Outside chance of automatics - Exeter (H) - On the beach or relegation 6 pointer - Wycombe (H) - On the beach - Bolton (A) - Automatics / Champions - Cambridge (H) - relegation 6 pointer Apart from the Bolton game I think our last 4 fixtures are pretty great. If we can get a few wins in the next few games it puts us in touch (potentially)

The inevitable dire performance just drags you down and hollows you out. I really didn't realise how much it effects me. Our whole season is basically us doing this to ourselves: https://youtu.be/g2c_-9kIjyU?si=oIcUNNSwHP4GSuym Haven't been on OVF for a view weeks for a similar reason as I just get angry/sad/depressed about it all. I can understand why you will watch later though having already paid. It's kind of like being made to watch a horror film and not liking horrors.

A final thing but people are worried about Kate Middleton going missing, when really they should be more worried about Dan Gore. Where is he? What's going on?

Gonna try something new tonight which is not caring and watching champions league in the pub with friends, instead of vale on ifollow. Hopefully this tricks the universe into a decent performance. The only thing that can jolt us out of this drudgery is superstition. If I did care enough to pick a team - I'd like to see us go back to a combative 4-3-3. Hopefully Mitch Clarke can play a bit of the game. From what I remember about orient when they played us at home they absolutely bossed the midfield and we're everything we wanted our team to be. Therefore we need to pack the midfield and get in their faces.

Not sure whether it's been said but Matty Taylor at Cheltenham has apparently done his hamstring and could be out for a while. Appreciate we need to catch teams like Shrewsbury and win games, but not a bad thing that Cheltenham are back to were they were striker wise.

This has been lingering at the back of my mind: Can you remember in the flitcroft interview there was a bit about how bringing in a manager sooner wouldn't have helped with transfers as they are all planned by recruitment team? 2 entire transfer windows under DC we only signed a striker at the last minute (Harrison and Taylor), and both probably as DC could see the car crash happening and pulled out his contact book. We don't learn and are going down. What would have happened in january if we had an experienced manager in earlier? You can guarantee we would have more than we have.

I guess we have set such a low bar in recent weeks I was just glad for a slight uptick in performance. I thought the first half was relatively equal, but we fell apart in the second half. Reading basically had much better wingers which is where most of their threat came from.

Having listened to the DM post match interview it gives me a bit of hope. They had 1 day and 2 classroom sessions to prep that performance. Think we looked more assured on the ball. Also thought it was interesting in a DM pre matcher that he said trying new formations can suddenly breath life into different players. Not everything came off for Weir but it was the best I have seen him recently. Would also say the same for Mighten and Loft. Chislett can still be frustrating. My only concern with 4 at the back is that we are even less will stocked at RB & LB. As others said the game turned when Jones came off. Anyway a few green shoots. The three up top gives us more options for subs. Hopefully when Gore is fit he has an impact.

Just cracked open another beer and feeling reflective. It's so easy to get sucked into the doom and gloom. Most things are gradually inching forward at the vale. It takes time as we don't have mad money to through at it. Anyway if we stay up I think we'll be in even better shape for next season. We're seemingly getting money for transfers now, in amongst the loans have brought in some good players (Chislett, Deborah etc). The youth players will be a year older and more experienced. I do think Crosby has been dealt a bad hand. We can't rewind the transfer window so all we can do is get behind the team, stop moaning, strap in and try our best to enjoy the ride.

This is class. Kinda shows a good trajectory in that more right than wrong.

It does seem mad that we haven't even got another body in as a striker. Wasn't expecting miracles but atleast another option. On the plus side: - Hoping we have upgraded in defence. Hardman Barnsley lad might be better than Balmer - Weir and Gore are possibly better than we expected as blaster and devine replacements - I'm excited about Mighten. We've missed a pacey strong ball carrier. Something different for the squad. My only hope is that it's not to much of a square peg round hole signing - like politic

It feels high risk for us to be waiting for clubs to sign strikers, so our preferred loans become available. I agree it could land us better players but personally I don't think we have the luxury of messing about with it. Get another striker in, and then hold out for that premier league academy dream player.

Has there been any news about Uches injury? An alternative take it might not be a bad thing if short term, as could put extra emphasis on doing a bit extra than planned in the transfer window.

I was on my way to start a relegation thread so glad there already is one. In terms of the next 5 fixtures I am only writing off Peterborough. My predictions Fleetwood A - Draw - Our midfield still hasn't gelled Leyton Orient H - Draw - Just don't think we'll have it together by then . Stevenage H - Win - finally some revenge Peterborough A - Lose of course Cheltenham A - Lose - Just think DC will have the measure of us Having said all that I think anything under 7 points from that run is bad news for us. One of the only upsides from the Portsmouth game and our league position is that it might force our hand a bit and temper the overconfidence with some realism.

Amazing but how do you know this?

It's an interesting one. There was that baggers article a week or so back which basically referenced that the club expected grant to get into double figures on assists this season (if fit) based on previous stats. That's clearly not panned out, partly as he hasn't fully got back to fitness and a run of games (in my opinion). Anyway i think we would want to give grant time and space to come good. So in reality a lwb loan is to compete for the shirt and not a 100% guaranteed starter. I think it is simpler to get loans for CM or CB as there are more spaces to slot them into the squad alongside our permanent players.

I wasn't there but I did see someone say on X (twitter) that there was a bit about us speaking to Chelsea about some potential loans. They have a few England U19 left back/ left wing backs and obviously a fair few strikers. Is this a rumour with legs?

It'll be interesting next summer if our success giving young loan signings a platform, has any clout with signing young permanent signings. Could slowly start cultivating a reputation for it which would be nice. On another note I think Bristol Rovers might be about to implode. Their managers interview after losing 1-0 at home to Exeter was remarkable. Kind of suggested they don't have proper scouting in place. Also fan rumours that their owners didn't fund away accommodation at Barnsley and they have to play their loan keeper or pay fees to Brentford. No idea what's true but something rotten there.

We signed Uche on a free quite late into the season. I'm not suggesting he is on peanuts but probably a short term deal with a promise of game time to get back playing and its worked for us and Uche. I can't imagine a team paying a fee to sign a player on a 6 month contract so if Charlton have had a bid accepted it'll be a contract till atleast the end of next season. Despite the upturn in performances, commitment and presence up top, would you be happy signing him on a larger contract and for longer? I do appreciate what he brings to the team but ultimately if we want to threaten top half finishes we need a more natural goal scorer.

I did not expect us all to be worried about losing Uche. 2024 is wild. What next???

I feel like we are maybe a year or two off having more of the young lads as regular starters and needing to pad out the squad less with loans. The loan approach has certainly lurched us forward and showcasing that we develop young players doesn't just help with loan signings but might see us go up another level in recruitment in the summer on permanents Agree though that we could over do loans if we are not careful.

I quite like how blatant we have been in the exit interview questions around selling the club to new players: Literally every question was designed for that purpose: - How were you welcomed? - Did you enjoy having lots of game time? - Did you learn lots from the coaching staff? - Were your family welcomed? - Did you benefit from passing on your knowledge to younger players? - What would you say to any player with the option to join port vale --> Take the opportunity was Alfie's answer So at least we milked that for all we can. Only worry is that with all loan players going back and new additions it will feel like the first few games of the season. Atleast on the plus side we are being more adaptable recently to fitting our style of play to the players on the pitch.

As soon as the pitches got heavier it was like balmer was wearing toasters for boots. Just stomps around and gets stuck in the mud. Feel a bit sorry for him as it's just not got going for him.

Quick question but do you think Weir has potential to develop as a Brighton player in the future or do you think your own improvement as a club/team have raised the standards too high for him?

Crikey. It's mad how much I've erased from my memory. Makes you much more grateful for what we have now.