Match Thread - Port Vale v Yeovil Town

[pete vale]

Bit tired of people already saying - "told you once we stop this Pope-ball stuff", drop Pope, play "Miller", etc

The way I see it, Askey deserves the utmost credit for his team selection and formation in the last 2 games, the four across the middle, Worrall and Hannant running at people out wide. Hannant has suffered with cramp the last 2 games having run his ar*e off. We didn't play 'Pope-ball' at Notts, Tom can actually play and link play as well as being the best header of the ball at the club.

Joyce and Conlon have supplemented the wingers and the 'free' role given to Oyeleke behind Pope/ Miller. Work rate has improved 40-50% again due to the manager/ coaching team and the lads putting the effort in.

Maintain this and we'll beat Yeovil. It may be difficult 3 days later after the tremendous Mansfield effort. Let's see. I for one would be looking to give Howkins a run at some point.

 

A well done to all players, coaching staff and John Askey in particular from me.

[onestepatatime]

I don’t get the continual Pope bashing..... did you go to Notts County? Vale played very well and just need a break or the ball to drop. Personally I think it has nothing to do with whether he plays or not, it’s the rest of the team.... especially Kay and Rawlinson - they are hoof/sideways ball specialists. It’s not coincidence that we’ve played better football since Legge, Conlon, Manny and Worrel has been in the team.

It's not Pope bashing mate, it's looking at a different picture, a different tactic, a different method the squad have to conform to, without Tom. Yes I did go to Notts County and many, many other away games these past seasons and you honestly have to be blind if you cannot see how opponents have been able to negate any of our attacking intentions. That has been down to, in the main, managers relying almost solely on Tom' s aerial ability. It has not worked. It is now a breath of fresh air knowing we are indeed capable of equalling, if not bettering most Division 2 Teams, with an improved, balanced squad. Pope is NOT forgotten or NOT wanted, simply we can improve with a footballing philosophy that doesn't have to rely on him plus 10 others. I'm firmly of an opinion in view of Tom's injury, age and declining influence on games, that he should be used more often now as a fresh sub when defenders are tiring and have to readjust to a big, useful centre forward in the old tradition.I do hope Tom still can provide us with years of effort and goals, but not as an automatic name on the initial team sheet. UTV.

[Jacko51]

I would go with the same team on Tuesday but not because Tom Pope is only good in the air. He is a good player round his feet and can hold the ball up well. We don't have to play it in the air to him. It's lazy football.

[Heatwave]

I would go with the same team on Tuesday but not because Tom Pope is only good in the air. He is a good player round his feet and can hold the ball up well. We don't have to play it in the air to him. It's lazy football.

 

Even when we were lumping the ball up to Tom, he was holding it up - but there was often no one there to lay it off to, or the pass was easily cut out.

 

What we really need is a midfielder who can hold the ball up and find a man. The last one of those we had was Anthony Grant and he's never been adequately replaced.

[Row L]

The difference in Saturday was Pope not being there ... but more so the midfielders making runs past the last man and supporting them with attacking intent. There is no doubt in my mind that Pope adds to the team, but the importance of having midfielders pressure then opposition and playing 20 yards further forwards than usual can’t be underestimated imo

[Robbie_Williams_Dad]

This will be a very difficult game. Yeovil's recent form is better than ours. I think they will play for a 0-0. Point away against us will be good for them. JA will pick the players best equipped to deal with this. It will be a night for the supporters to play a massive part in the outcome of the game. We will need to be loud, but more importantly patient. 2-0 to the Vale.

[Houston Valiant]

Tricky game this. Get into them early, with an unchanged side. High pressure from the start. 1-0 Vale.

[mbycars]

From Askeys statement today seems Tom is not ready and he hopes to play the same side. If we can keep the same intensity as we did on Saturday then we should win this one.

[TylerB]

They're *****. Don't be complacent, get at them from the off and we should be good enough to win by a couple of goals. A win tonight and we would pretty much be safe baring an absolute meltdown.

[TylerB]

The only change I would cosider making is bringing in what should be a fresh Ben Whitfield, though I'm not sure who for. Oyeleke doesn't seem to be the fittest fella around and you would have to question whether two games in the space of a few days would be too much for him. So perhaps start Whitfield and bring him off the Oyeleke with half an hour to go or something.

[TheSage]

It does sound as if there won't be many changes.

And it will be tough, make no mistake.

I don't recall us beating them at home recently and throwing away that Cup game in the last minute too.

My slight concern would be if can keep up the 100% effort from the weekend, whereas they have had a day longer to recuperate.

If there are a few tired legs then we have the subs now to use earlier.

 

Get anywhere near to Saturday's all action display and we'll be fine.

[Heatwave]

Sorry to be missing this one but another performance like Saturday and we should be OK.

 

I hadn't enjoyed a match so much for ages until then.

[ClntonBoulton]

Quietly confident although I always think back to what the Owd Fellah used to say..."You dunner get many doubles in a season unless you're top!" Thanks for that Ern! I just hope that saturday's performance will have generated a bit more confidence because people were definitely not hiding and the midfield wanted the ball. Head says 1-1, heart says 2-0 Vale........just don't lose!

[CambridgeDon]

Quietly confident although I always think back to what the Owd Fellah used to say..."You dunner get many doubles in a season unless you're top!" Thanks for that Ern! I just hope that saturday's performance will have generated a bit more confidence because people were definitely not hiding and the midfield wanted the ball. Head says 1-1, heart says 2-0 Vale........just don't lose!

 

'E were a good'un, your yewth - though 'ope 'ees wrong termorrer!

[Mario]

Those saying we should blow Yeovil away are being naive,we are one of the worst sides in the country and we should treat every team we play with respect.

 

The fact we won there comfortably has no bearing on tomorrows night game,Yeovil didn't lie down and get walked over a physical Lincoln,they will be fighting for their lives, so in my mind it's going to be a tough game.

 

I'm praying that we don't have the "After the Lord Mayors show" effect, the amount of effort we put in was immense and there will be tired legs,on the other hand Askey seems to be slowly turning us around and has stressed we need to repeat Saturdays performance the high pressure game we played was certainly more pleasing on the eye than Aspo's teams.

 

As long as we dont lose I will be delighted.