Match Thread - Port Vale v Stoke C U21

[Fosse69]

Surely the strangest game since the Coronation Cup match between the two clubs, but onto the match. How many under 21 s can the Vale field? Is there a limit to the number of centre-halves. Don't know what Aspin`s thinking will be, carry on with giving the fringe players a go or take the game seriously?

[Howjy04]

Monty and Manny both need game time.I’d play them both as long as that dirty barsteward Adam isn’t playing.

[mbycars]

I would play all the local born players. Gibbo, Smith Conlon, Vassell and Popey. They will know what the rivalry is all about and what it means to the fans.

[Trampilot]

I would play all the local born players. Gibbo, Smith Conlon, Vassell and Popey. They will know what the rivalry is all about and what it means to the fans.

 

Indeed - make it the strongest team possible with some local venom and thrash the pants off them.

[Valiant in Brum]

Pope needs to plat without a shadow of a doubt

[WalterJ]

If we have sold 1300 tickets then we have sold a bigger percentage of our home gate than Sjoke! Yes let’s beat the deck chairs. Would love to get to the final of this, not impossible.

[Paul6754]

So Vale play a strong team and unfortunately Oyeleke, Pope, Legge get injured and all are out for 3-4 weeks, was it worth it?

 

Must admit I wrestle with the question of who to play and at the moment ask myself, is this competition important to the club, how does it rank compared to the league, is it worth the risk of key players getting injured or should Vale play a similar level team as they've played in this competition so far. At the moment I go for the "Similar level team as they've played in this competition so far" and give players like Quigley, Kanu, Worral and the like game time.

 

Because it's Stoke and a derby it's likely to be a kicking match with a higher chance of injury.

[newchapel valiant]

Just seen a post on the oatcake saying kick off now been put back to 7.45. Does anybody know if this is true or not.

[newchapel valiant]

Yes just checked it is now 7.45

[paulvaliant]

My team would be:-

 

Hornby

Gibbons Legge Smith Vassell

Worrall Kay Oyeleke Montano

Dodds Pope

[For Us All]

If we have sold 1300 tickets then we have sold a bigger percentage of our home gate than Sjoke! Yes let’s beat the deck chairs. Would love to get to the final of this, not impossible.

 

Basically it's our reserves v their youth team and won't be an attractive fixture for many fans.

[Valiant in Brum]

I have seen some comments from Stoke fans, what they seem forget is, if this had been 20 years ago it would have been Vale's u21s vs their first team. How would they have felt, would they have sold out at Stoke etc.

[ollyandpatch]

Basically it's our reserves v their youth team and won't be an attractive fixture for many fans.

 

Apart from the 6000 or so that attend.

[PV1993]

Would be interesting to maybe get a poll going to see who was going, who is boycotting, and who is undecided.

 

Personally I won't be there, nor will I be there if we make it to Wembley (as much as it pains me to say). Attending this fixture just gives ammunition to the format. The people at the top will think "Okay, attendances are down, but when an u21 team meets it's rivals it still causes the same amount of interest".

 

Attending this game is short term thinking, rather than long term thinking. People may think it's a game against our rivals, but the atmosphere won't be the same because the Vale crowd won't be. You could argue that that is the fault of people such as myself, but I would argue that if B teams become a reality in the league then it will be from turnouts in games such as this which will have given the powers that be a reason to do so. By attending we're putting importance on a game that has none.

 

Let's be honest though - no-one is going to change their mind at this point. Those that want to go won't decide to stay away, whereas those that are choosing to boycott will not be tempted to go. The atmosphere may be slightly more level in comparison to the away end, but it'll still be another thing for them to hold against us. If you turn up you're admitting this is a rivalry, and we can only compete with the kids. If we don't - well they out sold us.

 

Stoke fans should remember that it wasn't too long ago that this was a competition for them. I'm sure there will be Stoke fans who see the bigger picture because whilst it doesn't particularly affect them now, it could do a few years down the line.

 

Perhaps a more relevant boycott of the competition should have been to attend the games except for those against u21 sides. At least that would have shown there is still appetite for the cup, just not for the B teams.

 

Let's get one thing straight - this isn't a derby. I am of an age where I barely remember the last one and I would give anything to draw them in the cup - but this just isn't it.

 

I would never shout down anyone who wants to attend. I understand the point of going and supporting the boys, as I do week in week out already. This just feels to me like a no-win, empty game. Not as a derby should.

 

That's just how I feel.

[Sam Kelly's Left Boot]

Vale reserves spank Sjokes youth and a chance to give them fat 3 finger knuckle draggers abit of ****. All for £10. Bargain.