Warren

I forgot about Chesterfield coming up. I like them and we have a great rivalry over the years. But I would expect them to reconfigure enough to challenge at the top of L2 next season. The tricks here are to retain our best players who are L1 standard, bring through our good young players who need to be retained and played, dispose of players who simply didn't cut it in 2023/24 and make some astute signings. I'm very conscious this is all easier said than done.

I'm hopeful that appointing Darren Moore is signalling funding the team well in 2024/5. That is now to fight for promotion. I'm concerned PV doesn't become mired like Tranmere Rovers has as a club funded enough to stay clear of the bottom of L2 but with no prospects of getting back to L1 without new ownership.

On the end of game boo them off stuff. I would say that the players are essentially not good enough overall, but a few are and can play at L1 level therefore being very good at L2 level. Players have got demoralised on occasions and that can appear like insufficient effort. Those players that are good enough and can contribute in future by being on the retained list should not be put off staying by a bad end of season scene. I hope the end of season is just the whimper it deserves.

I'm not going. I do hope PV can win this and there aren't any toxic post game scenes at end of season. I saw an example of defending as bad as Port Vale's last night. Block off Virgil Van Dyke, leave Dominic Calvert Lewin with a free straight run to the back post to head in unopposed. Even top teams can defend as badly as Port Vale!

It's no use crying over spilt milk. I think there are many intelligent supporters on here who would have exercised better judgement in signing players within budget the last two seasons. But I'm hopeful lessons have been learned after this game is over.

They are at home last game of the season. They'll want to please their 3700 fans. Evans took Stevenage up from L2 in his first year in charge. He wasn't able to keep them in the automatic positions or playoff positions ultimately. But they were top in the Autumn. With that fanbase, about 50% of Port Vale's he's done far better over two seasons. Hence he has been headhunted by Rotherham, a L1 / Championship yo yo team. I think Rotherham are broadly what Port Vale could aspire to become if well managed for a few seasons.

Indeed. The game was broadcast live on Sky. I don't accuse them of being slackers!

There is another interesting twist here. Stevenage, who play Cheltenham, can't reach the playoffs which they had been challenging to do for several months. But Steve Evans left the club after their challenge was over in order to take charge at Rotherham. Therefore Stevenage to me look more vulnerable than might be expected and Cheltenham - fire in bellies - may be able to take advantage.

Cambridge are not safe. They can be relegated on Saturday. See above.

Cambridge can be relegated if Port Vale win 1-0, Cheltenham win 1-0 at Stevenage and Burton win at Fleetwood. We must play the game seriously with Moore picking the best team he can. I recognise he should probably select players that are going to be retained. Therefore, injuries aside, this game is insightful for supporters ahead of the close season? I'm not coming, for family reasons.

If he is going to be retained, Dipepa needs to start regularly. I know we are unhappy with our strikers, and rightly so, but actually there is goals in Dipepa, Garrity and Chislett as forwards with another proven goal scorer at L1 / 2 being brought in as striker. So that leaves Wilson, Uche and Loft. If Uche could be got fully fit after a pre season I think he could be quite a force at L2 level. Wilson has to go because his contract is up and he's injury prone. Loft has another year, but surely a deal could be done to let him move elsewhere. What I'm proposing here doesn't break the bank. Then move back through the team. I think like Dipepa, Walters must play regularly and so too Plant and Shorrock. Ojo could be a classic older holding midfield player operating at L2 level. And then to the myriad of defenders we have. Oh God, I think the Exeter game was the final straw for me. Need a clear out. The trouble with clear outs is that it does cost. And attracting L1 defenders to a now L2 club won't be easy and has risk. I think it would help to stop playing wing backs and end up with 433. To me we will start off with a better team going forward and need to fix the back end most. I do think there is an issue with a lack of controlled aggression and physicality particularly defensively. I trust in Darren Moore.

There is a question mark. He was getting stuck in v Wycombe without a doubt. He may be someone who is a good player in a good team and gets frustrated when others around make mistakes / struggle. I look at L2 and I do think we could power out that division again next season. The tough clubs are getting promoted and hopefully MK Dons will go up. Then there is no one down there to fear provided PV runs itself well. I'm not saying it will be easy, but with three auto promotions and a play off position, we surely should be able to be seriously in contention. I suppose Crewe might still be around!

Ojo is the quality aging holding midfield player we need in L2. He will run most games.

The players we have got will be highly competitive in L2. There is a need to address the wing back / full back positions and find a striker who will score goals at L2 level to go alongside Garrity, Chislett and Dipepe. Actually, it is only viable to retain Dipepe if he plays. Otherwise let a Championship club sign him. The throw everyone out tantrum isn't viable in real life. What is viable is trust Darren Moore.

I can see Darren Moore is a good manager. He's not been able to get defenders who can't defend and strikers who don't score to perform better. It's because they are not good enough. The defence in the first few mins v Wycombe were taking the P. I nearly walked out after Wycombe scored. The whole team were taking the P v Exeter in the second half. And so it goes on, including super hero Smith passing to the opposition striker from our defensive free kick in his first game at home. I am hoping he will be in charge next year, and head up a promotion season. If he leaves, it will seriously bring into question whether I renew my season ticket. I'm not up at all for another manager appointment, and don't think that would end well.