nodge

It was massively disappointing that he didn't hit the target with his one on one. Mighten broke and he made a great run, and I think we all knew he was gonna get there first ahead of the fleetwood defenders, but the closer he got he visibly froze. I strongly believe a lot of the abuse and vitriol directed at him has clearly got to him. It doesn't matter now that he wasn't the signing that many wanted, it also doesn't matter now that he hasn't got a spectacular goalscoring record. I've observed him working so hard for the cause and often things don't come off for him. He's clearly a confidence player and in the current environment it must be toxic for him. Until Uche and Wilson get fit, the reality is he's all we have until the end of the season. I think enough of the <ovf censored> now, he didn't cost us the game with that miss, the garbage tactics second half did

This is it, they are going for it. About a month ago, maybe two I thought that maybe we'd be safe as there would be 4 worse sides than us. I'd say maybe two now, and both have beaten us in their own backyard

The main reason he's still here is that balance sheets show he's made a profit in 3 windows. It can only be that.

I will actually be getting a ticket for the first time in a long long time. Living in Liverpool, and family/work commitments used to mean I couldn't get to games and this season I've been at games with or without the kids. It's only Feb and I've spent £300 on league match tickets at home and I'm likely to be at the majority of the ones to come too. Financially it's a no-brainer for me, if I'm going to be going to the games like I have been.

He's simply got to get some free agents in to back the team up and give us a bit of depth

I liked the back four, i liked the concept and it worked for the long period. Off went Jones, on come Grant and then the floodgates opened down the right. I feared Lowe would struggle with the pace and athleticism of their midfield, once Savage came on he was always going to struggle with the second balls. I can't really blame Darren Moore for tonight, he just simply hasn't got enough depth and flexibility in that squad and that is not his fault. Can we get a left back and a striker in before saturday?

Much as I don't rate Grant, Yak would have been the same, he has zero pace. There was this lad we had called Benning that could have played there, please someone tell me that Grant has been an upgrade in any game this season

He hasn't played enough games to get a full 90 yet, he'll be great in the coming weeks Because we don't have anyone else other than Shorrock. I'd have played a double leg amputee ahead of Grant though To give Garrity minutes Wasn't really the worst, but again, not enough in the squad Guy works hard but has zero confidence or composure. Alternative is Wilson who can't play as a lone striker or Dipepa just the same. I think his hand is forced to some extent, but I said this morning putting Grant up against Azeez and Yiadom would be suicidal so he has to look at that one. If Plant/Clark are fit, Grant is sat in the stand I don't think Pep Guardiola could get a tune out of this group, but for 65 minutes until he had to shuffle we improved a lot. I trust he can improve us, we're running out of time to see if it's enough this season

I'll be happy if I never see him in Vale shirt again

Called it this morning 😔

If only Jones could hang on for another 30 minutes, they've had an absolute disco down that right since Grant went left back 😔

They did it last year against Barnsley and previously against Colchester, so I suspect they budgeted for it and chose to use it on this game for Moore's arrival.

He has to, Reading usually play a 4-1-4-1, where that 1 man up front quickly becomes 3. A back 3 and one up front would be suicidal

Thank you to the thousands of pounds their fans donated to the statue appeal

There's a lot of individual battles out there that need to be won for us to get anything out of the game. Savage uses the ball well, but hopefully Ojo can keep him in check Azeez, Wing and Knibbs are all neat and tidy so we need legs on the pitch. I'm not sure this is a game for Jason Lowe Smith is a good powerful and athletic forward too, so we can't afford to stand off him either. Button's a strange keeper who sits between the sublime and ridiculous, he's got a mistake or two in him but he kicks well usually and is decent on corners to claim. We need to be shooting early to beat him. It's a huge game, as all will be between now and the end of the season.

Reading always play with four at the back so it's important we don't go with something stupid like one man up front. I saw them away at Wigan and they've kicked on a lot since then but I didn't see anything that worried me in that game. Andy Yiadom was excellent that said, and if we've got Connor Grant down that left side, then Grant's in for a busy and stressful night

I've seen the supposed message, and anyone could have written that couldn't they. Ainsworth seen down there, if they were going to be so underhand towards Schumacher they'd do it out of plain sight. More than likely the Ainsworth naming suggests it's a Vale fan that's started this on a wind up

Not sure on Weir there, I haven't seen him positively influence any game really, looks like a bit of a passenger. Can see in his recent performances why he struggled to get game time elsewhere. I can't put my finger on whether it's a positional thing, or that he's just too lightweight but even Walters feels like a better option based on the last month or so

Exactly this, but imagine if we signed Gayle and stuck him up there with Loft 😐

I know we were crying out for extra personnel, but I wasn't all that inspired with the Gayle talk Every Stoke fan I know laughed at the mere mention of his name, and just looking at what he's done... 3 goals in 50 games for Stoke, just 8 goals in 5 years? It would have been a hefty wage for what would be "a good character for the dressing room" by all accounts. The one thing he always had in his locker was pace, his last few years, he registered more offsides than shots in games. He's been out of contract for weeks, and there wasn't really a host of clubs desperate to sign him. Many won't agree, but I think it would have been a very expensive mistake

Not only vital that the tide turns in the next month for our survival, but in around 4-5 weeks the club will be announcing season tickets no doubt.

This is it, we can't seem to generate an atmosphere at home as the product on the pitch has been so poor, but it's never been more important to get behind the lads. Our supporters are a brilliant bunch, we really travel well even when the chips are down, crying out for something to cheer about now Got everything crossed we can get something from the next 3 games and then breathe a bit of life back into the terraces

You're right, left back it is

I'd be tempted give Planty a crack up front, at least he can graft and has quality

Looking forward to getting Clark and Garrity in particular back into that team. We lack grit, passion and a bit of good old fashioned s**thousery, and both have that in them.