Bede

No, Baggers' article today confirms Moore left him out due to too many central defenders to select for 2 spots.

But 'We don't do eigth', she proclaimed the summer before the promotion season. Which is it?

I'm currently one of the club's biggest critics and I held the same view of Matt Hancock when he was appointed. I've had some robust conversations with Matt and levelled a few criticisms directly at him. However, I have met with him now a couple of times and had some really frank discussions and he's gained my trust and respect (tentativley but not wholly until I see results). I think he is genuinely trying. I didn't believe he was at first genuine - I had him pegged as all the rest; paying lip service as the club knew best and the fans knew nothing. But I'll give him his due, he's listened to me and others going off our heads at times with anger over what is currently going on, and he has been calm, patient, honest and pro-active. There's is very little right now to be positive about, but I believe Matt is trying, within the remit that he has, to help get the message through and repair relations with the fanbase. That said, he has a brick wall of arrogance behind him. I don't expect him to be able to crack that. The problems are higher than Matt Hancock.

We did. And still lost.

Christ, Battyman unmarked at the back stick. Should be 1 down here.

This isn't overly pretty, much appears a bit better than the dirge we've come to expect. At least it's a game of football.

After the start he's had, I'd love nothing more that to see that happen. You gotta feel for the lad. Fair play to him at the moment for his efforts and I'm glad it's being recognised. I can moan with the best of them, and it was me that threw my chips at Gannon at Accrington, but I've never really been one for barracking individuals unless in exceptional circumstances.

Our playing budget this season is ranked higher than the bottom 4. We are under performing and should not be bouncing around the relegation spots for the second year running based on finance.

We won't bring in another player like those for the next decade. How long is it since we signed players that had that kind of impact? It's not a sensible strategy to hang our hat on.

Agreed. We need to avoid dropping out of this leage at any cost. Now is not the time for that to be disrupted. It is however, entirely appropriate to loudly voice our concerns at the mismanagement of the club right now.

What's Chris Killen up to?

If we get relegated we will have endured similar on the pitch performance, with ground facilities for the fans worse than under his tenure. Add to that we owe the Shanahans double what Smurthwaite left for. So far, the only tangible improvements are crowds are up and the Lorne Street corporate side has undergone extensive revamping. Football wise, we've barely moved. And that's a sad indictment when you consider Smurthwaite was bleeding us, but the Shanahans are not. They need to strongly reconsider their areas of investment. Port Vale FC is a football club first and foremost. Not secondary. <ovf censored> primary. People purchase tickets to see the product on the pitch. And right now that is terrible, and is becoming increasingly neglected.

All fur coat and no knickers.

Did he really <ovf censored> say that?

EXACTLY THIS!!!!!