Match Thread - Port Vale v Grimsby Town

[Upfromnowhere]

Yeh we do play long to Pope at times but Popey is our most effective forward by far but we also get into good positions in midfield and fail to produce a quality ball, it happened time and time again today.

 

At times, surely the understatement of the year, in fact any year?

Worse Paul, the way we play his effectiveness is almost nullified with the lack of support he receives or more accurately doesn't!

If we get hammered at Lincoln, where for fear of them even entering our area, never mind the six years box you could see Rawlinson coming back and Quigley playing alongside Kay as another holding midfield player, then surely smurf has to seriously consider sacking the man.

I can not believe considering both results and more importantly, the manner in which we are playing that he will risk giving him any money for new players next month, and God do we need some?

[Houston Valiant]

Watched it. Non-League at best . No cohesion, someone to put their foot on the ball etc. It was in the air most of the time. No communication between the players. We badly need 3 points against Oldham, who lost 6-0 today, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Can’t see us getting anything at Lincoln. Lose both and we’re in very serious trouble.

[Wereskintandweknowweare]

Three months ago I started the Aspin out thread and was shot down in flames and even accused of being a joke city fan. Promised to say nothing on here until Christmas. Well now I am going to say a couple of things.

1 Aspin Out

 

2 I told you so

[Badgerspaws]

And to add to the pathetic performance, the match sponsors who I assume were Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder gave mom to Tom Pope, after probably his worst performance in a Vale shirt. Amazing.

[Santa]

I’m not calling for Aspin’s head. I’m not saying Aspin Out.

 

I’m just thinking it.

 

The best argument against sacking Aspin for the time being is Smurthwaite’s terrible record at recruiting managers. I shudder to think who we’d get next.

[Biddulph_PV]

Well another desperately disapppointing waste of an afternoon. I knew that as soon as I was served a disgusting, luke-warm coffee in the Bycars by a lad who didn’t look old enough for a paper-round let alone working in a snackbar that it would be a bad day. Welcome to Smurthwaites Port Vale.

 

Apart from two 5 minute spells of pressure in either half - where admittedly we were unlucky - we basically lumbered through a poor game without ever exerting any control, although that’s not unusual with our midfield.

 

Another dreadful, negative starting line up. Two strikers, great. But they need people to create things, and with no natural width, for me it was obvious how it would turn out.

 

It looks like the players don’t actually know what their jobs are. Take Manny. Awful performance, a pale imitation of the player many of us felt was destined for the Premier League just a couple of months ago. Northern Premier more like.

 

The same can be said for Conlan, although I’m not sure he knew where he was playing, because I certainly didn’t.

 

Quigley was admittedly not helped by our lack of creativity, but surely it’s a strikers job to react or anticipate things when the ball is in the box, not be surprised by it. Definitely not the answer, and an established striker is now an absolute must.

 

I could go on, highlighting yet again Smith truly woeful distribution etc, but I’m close to the point where I’m past caring. I won’t go to the Oldham game, as I know it will be the same all over again. I never thought I could be so bored and frustrated watching a football match, but Aspin has made this possible.

[Wereskintandweknowweare]

Askey ???

[Biddulph_PV]

Askey ???

 

Has a reputation for being another boring, safety first manager. No thanks.

[Howjy04]

And to add to the pathetic performance, the match sponsors who I assume were Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder gave mom to Tom Pope, after probably his worst performance in a Vale shirt. Amazing.

 

His family must have been the sponsors.Oh well,only two and a half more seasons of legendary football.

[futchoff]

Hannant, Clark, Vassell are professional footballers who play for Port Vale Football Club. ...... Just had this in my last Xmas cracker.

[nickkidsgrove]

Aspin had the cheek to turn round , look me in the eye and call me a *****, because he heard me shout “ That’s Ben dropped for the next game” “ what’s he doing showing flair and beating players “

It’s a joke!! Hoof it hard long and up the middle or your dropped.

********.

[Biddulph_PV]

Actually felt sorry for Pope today. He must yearn for the days when he had two decent wingers and creative midfield helping him bag 30+ goals. Cut a very frustrated figure.

 

It should also be noted that a certain Tyrone Barnett scored for Cheltenham against MK Dons today.

[Valiant62]

Manny’s had a couple of poor games now, needs to buck his ideas up. For me, not an issue with formations or players out of position : just not good enough on the day. They scored a worldie of of nothing (though I think Legge should have been closer and Clarke in a better position. We did nowt first half and huffed and puffed second. Ben will likely get a start next match, though it has to be said he’s also inconsistent. I’m hoping Angus comes back and makes a difference in January and maybe the Ulster Scot can hit the ground running. This is awful to watch at the moment.

[Howjy04]

Yeh we do play long to Pope at times but Popey is our most effective forward by far but we also get into good positions in midfield and fail to produce a quality ball, it happened time and time again today.

 

We play long only sometimes,Paul?Thats the only way Pope can touch the ball.No movement up front for players to pass to.My neck is killing me.On the deck and pass and move.If players don’t understand how to do that then go to Trubshaw Cross on a Sunday morning and watch 10 year olds doing it.

[onestepatatime]

Please close the managers door quietly behind you tonight Neil when you leave the stadium and post the key through the letterbox. My 2 season tickets are now firmly at the bottom of my drawer and will NOT be used again. Your status as a legend player for us is the only thing that many Vale fans can argue in your defence. Vale are unfortunately disappearing into the abyss with your inadequate leadership. For yours and our sakes please admit you are out of your depth in League management and allow us a modicum of hope for our future.