LancyTony

1: Even in those lower League matches, you will see this, at some time. What filters down keeps on filtering down. The common time-wasting tactic of a GK throwing himself to the ground to "protect" the ball from the opposition has certainly reached schoolboy level - I've seen this for myself. 2: I have no reason to suggest other teams do it, other than they do. No, I couldn't name the Lge 1 teams without spending a very long time sifting through TV recordings - which I'm not prepared to do just to win an argument on here! 3: If you watch Vale matches, I'm afraid you see examples of these, all the time...game after game...and not only by the opposition - although, we seem to be fairer than most, and some teams have appalling reputations for these acts! 4: A different subject, really - I thought the punishment was harsh enough - too harsh when you consider it was roughly the same length as Cantona kung-fu kicking a fan. Yes, I know the fan deserved a good kicking...but it wasn't for a footballer to leave the pitch and do it! The other thing about the gambling ban - I didn't read a lot into it, at the time, but, if he didn't bet on his own Club, then I think that reduces the severity of jis actions? 5: I(f, by corruption, you mean the giving of the World Cup to Qatar, and the "process" that that went through - you're right, it is very corrupt - just not sure children would realize that? If you mean players' actions - I remember "Diving" Franny Lee; Ian Ure / Nobby Stiles / Billy Bremner / "bite yer legs" Norman Hunter, to name just a few, as being hatchetmen, which was a different kind iof cheating! And one which was much more visible to children. I remember the ;likes of Owen Oyston, and other chairmen / owners being corrupt in their dealings - but, again, not likely to corrupt children. So it's not only the "modern game" which is corrupt - but I'm guessing you're meaning since the age of Sky. as they're the popular goats to scape? Even though there are other parties now equally culpable of changing foorball? 6: There is a phrase which has been long in existence - I certainly remember it being talked about in the 70's - "build from the back"! Like a chess game, you open teams up by tempting them to break defensive ranks. This is no different! 7: I get to the Vale when health and finances allow. When I was working in Finland, before New Year, I spent, I think, almost £80 on iFollow - which I consider to be a rip-off as it keeps "freezing"...although this could have been the internet we had over there? When I was in my late-teens, and through my 20's, if I couldn't get a lift I would walk from Leek to Vale Park, and back home after. Asa single parent, Myself and 2 kids had STs for a few years. My stepgrandson and stepgrandaughter both represent their schools, and, I hope, will play at a higher level? Yes I watch "the beautiful game" - still - Prem / EFL / FAC / LC and Joe Bloggs Trophy - and it's still as exciting as it's ever been...although I have been a Vale fan through the turgid times, too! I hope this answers your questions, adequately? But - if it doesn't that's tough poop, as I've wasted too much time pandering to you and Brian Johnson's never-ending arguments!

The glitch kept putting me on as Loggerheads Sage...I was so tempted! hahaha!!!

The list doesn't go on much further - we haven't had that many Prem youngsters join us, over the years. But - having seen the quality of Ollie and Alfie, we should be hopeful that Dan Gore and Rhys Williams - of similar ages and experience - could be as successful as those two? It would be interesting if everyone applied the "10 games into his Vale career!" principle, for every signing, instead of dismissing them out of hand?

You pair of Muppets realize that, to do that kind of research I would have to watch 100 or so minutes of EVERY game this season, just to make sure i didn't miss an example? Originally, my answer was the Prem and Champio0nship teams - I've certainly seen Liverpool do it, and, I think, City have, too. But League 1???...truthful answer is I don't know but think so - because not every Lge 1 game is shown on TV, and, when they are, it's often just highlights, so they probably miss the kickoff routines? BUT - this has come from somewhere...we have seen someone else do it, i don't think we're the leaders in this? And the logic for it would be passing back to the GK leaves him the whole pitch to see where a good pass could go, and leaves at least one defender clear to get forward - so I'd argue...with a lot of confidence...that it isn't even a defensive move? Over to you, Waldorf and Statler!

Cheese OR bacon???? Nay lad - the OR is sausages or bacon...WITH cheese!!!!

Not necessarily - if it's an individual mistake (so many of them!,) or a bad refereeing decision (even more of those!)? You must have heard other clubs - not only us - complain that a ref's decision has cost them the game?

Watch. Watch football and see for yourself!

But - it was one from one...there are others, but, as I've suggested before - do your own research?

It's like this, Brian - Man City...Liverpool...Arsenal...do not learn from the coaching at Accrington Stanley (unless a revolutionary new coach has the chance to show a brand new philosophy?). But the evolution of the game of football starts at, or near the top, and filters downwards. It's how we've moved from 5.3.2. through 4.4.2. and 4.3.3. to playing with "false nines" and, occasionally, no recognised striker. Other sports have evolved in other ways - cricket has adopted shorter games to augment what was already on offer. Limited overs supposedly offer more excitement? It's just the way sport goes. At one time the "Fosbury Flop" was unheard of (especially in cricket!)

Feb 2nd. Transfer window closes at 11pm Feb 1st, Sorry - wasn't trying to play oneupmanship or anything, just clarifying that the window closes on the 1st so we take stock on the 2nd, really?

Not sure whether this has been addressed, but this "nugget" has been discussed over previous pages...mostly with optimism!

If a player leaves a club whilst still under contract, the club he's leaving have the right to agree a transfer fee. If his club agree that the move is the best thing for both parties, then the contract can, effectively, be torn up. Or, his club can offer to pay him some of his remaining wages to facilitate the move, including loan moves.

<ovf censored>!

It's a fact that goals win games...that bit is undeniably true...but, it's your blinkered opinion where you never stop wittering about us having to bring a striker in, above any other position...yet our top scorer is in MF, and, had we kept hold of the young loanees, I feel our MF would have had our top 2 or 3 scorers? But, that's my opinion - not fact!

Too easily forgotten - the barren run didn't start until we'd had those disruptive injuries; and the possession-based football was good during most of the games following the horror show...W9 D2 L1 after the Barnsley game.

Where's your proof of this, Brian?

Brian - do your own research...but watch most of the Prem and Championship teams do it, including City!

Beat me to it, but thanks, Rob!

The info has been denied by a very good source - this Forum!

I didn't say that - but I've seen enough about Ryan Loft to not dismiss him as quickly as you do!

So Mr Picky - remind me what position our leading goalscorer plays in? It's your blinkered attitude about signing a striker...and ignoring the possibility of signing a player from a different position!

The natives are revolting!

It's dreadful management not paying the players! But - as i said - it wasn't a case of Reading fans being moaners, but having reasonable worries about the future of their club!

It doesn't send out any kind of message, when so many other teams do it, as well!