LancyTony

And yet, totally believable, given the "reality" in which some of our fans live!

No it isn't...it's as much speculation as the size of the fee we may get...and DF has proved decent at getting fees in!

Ripley and the Yak...

I think enough has been made of that?

Clearly has been picked by the manager - you never mentioned starting, though? Make of that...

Stats are stats - not how you choose to perceive them to suit your argument!

Level on goals scored!

I know...how very dare he???

21 games is not "never"...make of that what you will?

He hasn't gone yet...has he?

We were allegedly in for the player before Carlisle joined in...so we already knew the price.

You didn't know he'd scored against Charlton? In his last match??

Still getting posts that won't acknowledge Gav Massey regaining some form?

OI!!! No way is he a member of the HCC!!!!!

As someone from the older generation - 68 years old, 60 years a Vale fan - yes there is still passion and fun...but posts like yours make it difficult to believe. I don't see where half of your post is coming from? "Carol Shanahan wants to make money...but she doesn't care"> What a crock of <ovf censored> 0 she's a Vale fan, first and foremost...and thank Goodness for that! Alfie's interview? Exactly what should have been said so bigger clubs will trust us with other Alfie Devines in the future, which will help the Vale wherever we are! If you think Vale will be overtaken by Stockport, Wrexham and Notts Co - that may well depend on us, and where we are with our team-building? We have done reasonably well against teams around the top, this season - a stronger Vale might do better no matter who those top teams are? Robotic????? What a stupid comment! Robots don't make mistakes (unless they are programmed incorrectly?) - how many defensive mistakes have we rages against this season, alone? If football is heading towards an era you don't like, you may need to find a different sport? It/'s not all good - admittedly - but it certainly isn't as bad or as bleak as you seem to think?

Depends on who comes in?

We haven't built a team around a couple of successful loanees...can't be done with having a limit on how many can figure in a squad...but, the loanees have certainly enhanced the team and I'm ok with that. More of the same for the future, please!! I think Ollie and Alfie being recalled and sent to a higher level is a testament to how well they've done with us, which will give the top clubs much more confidence in the Vale? As for the couple that didn't work out? Surprised at Kofi, as he's worked with AC before - but, maybe having to play in a defence making mistakes affected his confidence, too? As for Josh Thomas, some of us are disappointed that didn't work out, either...but maybe the next one will? Nothing is certain in any transfer deal.

Yeah, but...apart from them...???

They might also take into account how he has played, previously, in the Prem and Champions' Leagues? Certainly be a squad player if he rediscovers his form?

I almost said "finally, a loan that everyone will get behind"! - I should have known better, really?

That Ben Garrity's not much good, either...apparently?

I think Forest got promotion with a lot of loans in their squad; and either Bolton or Derby did similar? It's generally less of a drain on resources, too.

Other clubs have used the loan market more so than we do - in theory, if we can't turn some of these loans into permanent signings, then the loanees we had just need to be replaced. We seem to be doing ok so far?

As might the scale of the scouting network required?