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At least nobody can say Vale can’t buy a Wynne now.

Ripley Debrah (if no Sang) Smith Yak Wynne (Shorrock ready) Ojo (Walters if unfit) Weir Garrity Chislett Dipepa (3 interchanging) Uche

I really hope that starting line up was a case of putting all our efforts and energy into the home games, rather than necessity.

I'll hold my hands up and say after Shrewsbury I thought that's us 100% done, so full credit to Moore for getting us up and fighting again. But it will all be for nothing if we can't build on it.

Cheltenham have Stevenage who could need to win on the last day to make the playoffs, and top of the form table Lincoln (21 goals in 6 games!), but ... also 2nd bottom of the form table Bristol rovers (0 goals in last 6 games.) Burton and Cheltenham are in bottom 4 form, we ain't. We're gonna make it, stop worrying.

whoever loses the Burton Cheltenham game will have a mountain to climb with 3 games remaining, but ultimately I think they'll both go down and we'll stay up. Obviously emotionally, also logically. We are keeping clean sheets, playing some decent stuff, look stronger and confident every game. Tonight will be a test but I back Moore to keep them focused and get the job done overall if it doesn't go our way. 2 wins and a draw from the last 5 would see us clear, with 6 points maybe enough on goal difference, if we keep turning that figure around slowly.

from Carlisle to Pompey, in virtually every game we've lost there's been at least one woeful goal. Cut those out and tighten up, then suddenly even the top teams struggle to break down a well-organised defence. Let's not beat ourselves is my point.

With a 93% sell on clause.

The goal swing from yesterday alone is a huge bonus. 4 closer to Burton in one afternoon and now only odd goal in it, whereas at times it has looked like an automatic extra point we need to make up somewhere.

Fantastic day. Rivals smashed and disheartened. We jump out. Another clean sheet to add to minimal conceded goals over the last stint. Easier games coming after Peterborough, which we have gathered some courage for. Creating chances. Cambridge can even be seen on the horizon again. WE’RE GONNA MAKE IT.

Someone sets the budget - Carol Someone gives a brief on player profiles and positions to target - Moore Someone in charge of overseeing that fact-finding / feasibility option compilation and managing scouts - head of recruitment Someone has final say if negotiations are within the outlined financial framework - Moore Only then can you put blame for failure on the pitch at the manager’s door. You said what you wanted, the club found them, you selected them, trained them, gave them tactics and all that, the results are on you. Moore wouldn’t let us down with that autonomy and responsibility being available to him in L1 or L2.

I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs.

Lots of twists and turns to come, and those who seem to have pulled away can quickly be pegged back. If we constantly pick up points and don’t lose this new attacking shape we have, not all the teams around us will be able to keep us. We focus on us, keep chipping away and we can stay up on the last day. Obviously if we lose the games we need to win it’s curtains; we’ll get the points though I think. I thought we were dead and buried when we couldn’t score a goal or create a chance, then we kept 3 clean sheets in 4 and won 2 in a row.

No I’m saying that is my prediction for how the land will lie come game 46.

It’s going down to the wire. Cambridge safe but we have to beat Burton’s result to stay up on the final day.

I’m looking forward to getting in players that play in one position and one position only, then signing back up players to stand in for them should they be tangled up by suspensions or injuries. Like a proper transfer window, squad balance, formation fitting planned strategy sort of thing.

Last chance saloon until the next chance saloon.

Another season in L1 with 75% of this squad can only result in a circa 18th finish anyway. Using them to consolidate in mid-table in L2 and then rebrand and rebuild in the 2nd season with all the deadwood chopped wouldn’t be the worst - it’s just a long plan than Moore would have to commit to.

Put it this way, I’d rather be Vale than Burton right now.

We only have to overtake Burton. They only have 5 games and 40 points. They are in dire form and though we have lost today we look like a side capable of creating chances and picking up points. They would need to win 3 of 5 to get to 49, which is a big if. We can catch them and hopefully Cheltenham don’t drop us back to 4th bottom.

Stay in touch over this 3 game away stint then jump above at the last minute off the back of some home success. That’s the plan.

We’ll turn this around. Let’s get Uche on sooner rather than later.

Burton won’t hold on against Barnsley. Wigan obviously there for the beating. Getting through these 3 games in touching distance (3-4 points) and it’s back in the balance.

They’ve conceded the 4th most in the league so keep the pressure on.

We’ve got Peterborough after all the exertions, highs and lows of the FLT final. Best time to play them as they bump back to reality.