Advert
Advert
JRC
-
Posts
3,556 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
10
Posts posted by JRC
-
-
10 minutes ago, Vtid said:
why does it? We've loaned him out for a month then recalled him after less than a week. If we're that short on numbers why send him out in the first place
When we loaned him out Arblaster and Ojo were fit Now they aren't. I think it's as simple as that. The lad needs minutes on the pitch but we now need bodies.
-
On 24/12/2023 at 23:06, For Us All said:
According to Alan Nixon,Sheff.Utd are starting talks with 14 players who can leave at the end of their contracts next summer.Striker Daniel Jebbison is likely to move on and they are expecting their loan players to return.I believe we've been interested in Jebbison before?
I think Jebbison is a realistic target for us. At the point in his career when he needs to be playing and did well in league 1 at Burton. Crosby still has contacts at Sheffield. I'd be surprised if we haven't made enquiries about a loan. I think bigger clubs would be in for him as a transfer, so any fee would be out of our price range. Whether he's available on loan would depend on him extending his Sheffield contract.
-
1 hour ago, RPH-KV said:
More of a Smith fan than you - would swap Smith for Lowe then agree with your 11.
I'm a massive Smith fan but he's suffering from the curse of being our captain right now. He's not played well for 3 or 4 games.
-
2
-
-
1 minute ago, RPH-KV said:
He may do the work of 2 men but you can’t actually play Garrity in 2 positions.
Fair play I meant to have Massey on the right.
-
1
-
-
Very much doubt Wilson is fit enough for much more than 45 minutes. I'd keep him on the bench and bring him on at halftime or around the 60 minute mark. Smith had a poor game and the midfield pairing didn't work on Saturday. Unlike some I didn't think Loft had a bad first 60 minutes. First 3 or 4 outings I thought he was poor. He won a lot of headers and I think Garrity would have picked some of the second balls up as a 10.
Ripley
Debrah Lowe Lacovitti
Massey Sang Devine Grant
Chisslet Garrity
Loft
I was tempted to go for a Chisslet Walters pairing in central midfield, as Walters Devine is incredibly inexperienced. Missing both Arblaster and Ojo is a big issue in that key area.
That gives the option of using Wilson as a 10, or as striker in the second half.
-
1
-
-
8 hours ago, Hot Rat said:
Agreed, it can as the team in control of possession dictates the pace of the game - but if they are a good enough they can speed it up at the drop of a hat. The fact that we can only up the pace successfully one in 5 games is probably more indicative of the quality of the players in league 1. Premier league players can produce the goods more consistently hence cost more.
I think it's a fair analysis. I felt that was the problem with pairing Lowe and Garrity in central midfield as neither can up the tempo of a game. I'd have dropped one of Devine or Chislett deeper.
-
1
-
-
2 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:
Not since the days of Brian Horton have I ever seen a Port Vale manager divide the fan base.
In many ways says a lot about our fan base. The 3 most successful managers in my lifetime in terms of league positions at the end of the season, or when they left were, (I'm fairly sure) Rudge, Horton and Sproson. 2 of the 3 most fans wanted sacked, possibly all 3. There were a lot of grumbling about Rudge at the end.
-
2
-
-
13 minutes ago, Danish Valiant said:
I know it’s not that simple. And you should never do something in a game, you haven’t done in training. But going to a back 4, is the most simple formation in the book and most players would have been brought up in that formation.
And I’m not suggesting letting the weather forecast dictate our style. But when you get to the ground and experience the conditions, and even get the game under way, surely you have to adapt your style to the conditions? Especially given AC used them multiple times as a direct excuse for our performance?
20 years ago every English footballer was raised on 4 4 2. We then had the influx of foreign managers and players. As most players have come through an academy system somewhere I'm not sure that still holds true. I'm not even sure 4 at the back is the most basic system, it's just the one most of us were brought up on. I'm still learning about the new systems that have entered the game. I understand 4 4 2 because it was all I knew for 40 years.
-
1
-
-
If you could guarantee 30 games a season he's worth keeping. History says he managed that twice in his career. I'd probably gamble until the end of the season but at some point we have to move on. I think we'll offer him something, maybe get 10 more games out of him and then let him go in the summer.
-
1
-
-
10 minutes ago, Danish Valiant said:
I agree!
Bur let’s stick to what we do know; what DC said after the game.
”Their style suited the conditions better”. Then why insist on keeping to play a style, that didn’t, and obviously helpee play the game into their hands?
”There was a clash in formation, that gave them the advantage”. Again: for all the preparation, how can this come as a surprise? And given they were so much on the front foot, was he waiting for them to change it, to suit our formation? He should have changed it as soon as it became apparent, we were in no way, shape or form in the game at all!
Those two statements from him, baffled me to be honest.
I think I was talking to Mickey Adams about why he didn't change formation often but it could have been a different Vale manager. Whoever it was said that lower league footballers struggled to adapt to changes in formation whereas the difference at the top levels players had greater football intelligence. I'm not sure it's as simple as looking at the weather Saturday morning and going out and playing hoof ball in the afternoon.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, RPH-KV said:
What do people expect? How about playing a midfielder instead of a centre half in the middle (Lowe). Take your pick from Walters Conlon Sang or Garrity - all would have done a better job than Lowe.
How about starting Grant on the left instead of a right footed player. If he can’t do 90 minutes you start him. How about realising what a stinker Massey was having and making a change.
When we first signed Lowe people complained he was primarily a midfield player and not a replacement for Forrester. I personally think he's better in defence BUT he has played lots of Premiership and Championship football in midfield. I think the difference was he player primarily in a midfield 3 at Blackburn and he lacks the energy and the passing range to play in a 2. Personally I'd have played Chislett or Devine deeper, with Garrity as one of the 10s, if I was going to bring Lowe in. We ended up with 2 deep players who weren't able to pass the ball with 2 creative 10s who never got the ball.
They are clearly trying to manage Grant for the Christmas period. Sang and Massey were poor in the first half. There is a legitimate argument they could have moved Sang to the right but keeping one on at half time was akin to picking to have a broken left or right leg. Neither was an appealing option to keep on the pitch. Massey got worse in the second half. With hindsight Dan Jones would have been a better option at LWB if they felt Grant needed to be nursed through the Christmas period. We've desperately needed an alternative to Grant since August. In the short-term I think we do need to give up on Sang as an emergency LWB, he's desperately poor in that position.
Wycombe may well be in financial trouble in the medium term. When you look at their team sheet that squad hasn't come cheap. Not sure it's sustainable on sub 6000 gates. It looks like they've gambled on promotion, which I don't think they are anywhere close to achieving.
-
45 minutes ago, ValeForever. said:
I'd like to see Sang in the middle myself, in his proper position; but agree an extra head with some quality wouldn't go amiss with them pair out for the next month or so. Arguably been our best 2 x players this season.
Everyone has an opinion on Crosby but it's pretty clear to me that he is an unlucky manager. I know ppl say you make your own luck, but for them pair to both pick up injuries around a busy Xmas schedule really is rotten. Just as Wilson is coming back as well. I'm not sure he's ever played his best 11, & if he has it's only been a couple of times max.
I'm pretty neutral on Sang. He's played a couple of times in central midfield and not really been more than functional at best. Certainly some was below Arblaster and Ojo. I agree that Crosby has been unfortunate with injuries. Put Arblaster and Ojo on the field yesterday and I think we would have won.
I think there’s going to be quite a lot of movement in January. The disappearance of Conlon and Cass from the squad recently probably means both are off, maybe at the start of the window. Personally I'd have had Conlon on the bench yesterday unless there was a chance to ship him out. Don't expect anything more than nominal fees for either. We obviously want a forward, left wingback and probably a centre midfield player as a minimum. More if any loan players get recalled.
-
If Ojo and Arblaster are both out for a while we desperately need a playmaker in central midfield. Probably more than a LWB and striker.
-
Just now, Valiiant said:
I'm a stuck record because we see the same crap tactics and formation most weeks.
Apart from last Saturday when we played a good Wigan side off the park 🤔
-
3
-
1
-
-
5 minutes ago, johnjeffersfanclub said:
Why do you hate Crosby so much. Massive part in taking us up, stepped in when he needed to. Seems a decent fella. Has us mid table. Got to a quarter final. It's just wierd.
Managers go as soon as enough fans have turned. The problem is fans who want a manager out don't agree on the replacement. Some people turn on a manager as soon as they are appointed because it wasn't the one they wanted.
-
2
-
-
Not sure Wycombe deserved to win that. Despite having 3 very good centreforwards on the pitch Ripley never made a serious save. Poor defending for the goal. We lacked creativity without Ojo and Arblaster. Chislett had a poor game, Loft actually won nearly every header and he wasn't close enough to get the nod downs. As to who scored it did look like it was over the line initially from Garrity before Wilson knocked in the clearance. Worst game I've ever seen Smith play.
-
2
-
-
1 hour ago, Playa Amodores said:
If you read the article it then let’s you read about Michael Mills and the fact that his transfer to NUFC has been complete. I see it says he was identified by Kevin Scott IMO (PVFC loan legend). What a mentor Michael has got. I don’t know him and have never seen him play, but good luck to the lad, learn as much as you can from Kevin and hopefully you’ll be a class act like Kevin himself.
It’s good that top clubs are looking at our academy players, but I don’t know if it’s a good thing letting them go. I know it could be a gamble as they may not develop or are we selling off our Crown Jewels. I don’t know if we need the money to survive or we just sell anyone that a club makes a bid for including first team players.?
You don't have a lot of choice as they can move for very modest compensation packages outside each season's contract. We've been fortunate that we've moved quite a few during each season and received decent fees.
-
2 hours ago, werstayinup said:
That is the thing that really frustrates me,Sang came here as a midfielder and of late you can tell he has quality in his game yet he hasn't been played there at all,so if he has Grant and Massey as the wing backs then play him in there to take ollies place.. I agree about Walters,i think he will turn into a good player but those games show why the club aren't willing to pay him more than they think he is worth when he isn't quite ready,he needs to knuckle down maybe sign a deal and then when he progresses the deal WILL change as it did with Plant
When Cardiff let Sang go their manager said it was because he was best suited to central midfield but they saw him as a backup right wingback. He's played the vast majority of his league games at right wingback or right back, including both his loans. My opinion is he's probably better in the centre but he's probably had his best games for us on the right. I suspect he'll get his chance in the middle today, hopefully he'll make himself a fixture. The problem is his greatest attribute to date has been his crossing, he won't do much of that as a 4.
-
2
-
-
46 minutes ago, Vtid said:
what a load of nonsense that is 😭 they've already commented on certain players like the yak for example when he was injured. But Willo & Jones nothing for ages. It doesn't help when the likes of baggers or bowers don't ask such things
They've commented on both in press conferences. Jones picked up a second injury in training but is now fit, Wilson has been training on the grass for a couple of weeks. Jones was fit enough to have been able to play on 15 December, I suspect Wilson may be on the bench today.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, valiant_593 said:
I think walters really struggled against Exeter and boro. Don’t think he’s ready yet, requires far too much time on the ball. Sang for me in the middle I’m convinced he will be excellent there.
He certainly looked a little shell shocked at the intensity of the Exeter game. There was a big step up to what he experienced in that match. He might get a little more time playing deeper in Ojo's position, then again a mistake could be more costly. Sang also has an error in him but I think I would go for him and Devine, with one of the forwards allowing Garrity to play deeper. It's a big game for us as all season we've only played well when Ojo and Arblaster played well. It's a test for the manager to pick the best 2 from Lowe, Sang, Conlon, Devine, Garrity and Walters.
-
2
-
-
1 hour ago, butt lane vale fan said:
🤣🤣🤣. Do you really think Exeter could afford him. 🤣. Their Chairman recently said they would have a competitive budget for L2 next Season. Their fans were up in arms about it.
Being realistic there is a group of clubs regularly pulling in 10000 plus crowds; then a large group of clubs in the same position as Exeter. We aren't going to buy our way into The Championship. Build, attract young up and coming players and maybe we can strike gold. I'm sure everyone would love us to sign Clarke-Harris but he's way above our budget.
-
2
-
-
3 hours ago, PVP said:
Yes I think he was for a short time but currently a free agent. At 35 you only have a short time left so maybe playing might be more important than a huge pay packet, you never know.
Does he want to play or has he effectively retired? It would be a big ask to get up to league fitness for most 35 year olds.
-
1 hour ago, Vtid said:
we don't play a system that suits him, unless we changed our set up he'd play as a number 10 i'd guess
He's an intelligent football player. First time I saw him he reminded me of a young Chris Shuker. Outside of centreforward, pacey winger and centrehalf I suspect he could play most positions pretty well. Tom Pett was a 10, then a winger, Simon Mills was an intelligent footballer who never played fullback prior to Vale. Outside of centrehalf, centreforward or pacey winger on the left or right of a front 3 I suspect he could play most positions pretty well. Good Vale teams of the past 55 years have always had intelligent footballers in them, probably because we have such a large pitch.
-
1 hour ago, darren1810 said:
I'd like to see Sang in midfield as he's no wing back. Got caught out physically for the Wigan equaliser.
If Ojo out get Sang in midfield.
I suspect that was partly due to being right not left footed. Most left footed players would have cut that cross off. I agree I think he's more a midfield player who can play right wingback.
Barnsley (H) match thread - Boxing Day
in Port Vale present
Posted · Edited by JRC
Hard to see what options there are. Conlon is clearly off on 1 Jan. Don't see Cass as better than the other centrehalves in the squad, or on the bench. Sang is missing but may well be injured. Uche is ill. Wilson probably only fit for 45 minutes. The only questionable calls are Walters and Lowe, with Smith to come in for one of them. I'm not particularly inspired but don't see what the alternatives are to be fair.