Match Thread - Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra

[onestepatatime]

I'm really pleased that 'tune' has gone. Someone from on high above the main body of Lorne Street shouted something at the crowd before the game which none of us could pick up properly but it was abusive and clearly directed at all the supporters. There was speculation that it might have been Smurf.

 

Think you'll find that the abuse was actually aimed at Artell as it continued throughout the game. One very loud person was shouting in decibels well over anyone else and it was also at the pathetic excuse of a linesman too.

[CambridgeDon]

Looking towards next season, and I know there's a lot in the balance at the moment. But I'd be quite happy with a back 5 that started the game yesterday in Brown, Crooks, Howkins, Smith and Clark. Conceding goals hasn't been a problem for us this season, and without checking, I believe we have the 6th or 7th best defensive record in the league. That takes some doing for a team that's been flirting with relegation. In midfield we're suddenly looking better with the return to form of Worrall. Aspin almost destroyed him but he's been given a new lease of life under Askey and needs to be one of the first names on the team sheet next season. I like Oyeleke but my God is the lad injury hit, and he can't be relied upon.

 

I said months ago that if you add a decent, pacey wide player to our team along with another capable forward, then under a manager that isn't absolutely clueless we would be challenging for the play-offs. I completely stand by that comment.

 

In terms of GD, we have the 9th best away record in the league (just -2) but in terms of away points, we are 14th. So not as good as I thought but enough to keep our heads above water. By contrast, our home record puts us in the bottom four.

 

https://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england4

[For Us All]

David Artell is to post match analysis what Theresa May is to strong and stable government.

 

It was for the few and not the many.

[darren1810]

Fair comment. But he's not a defensive midfielder and isn't particularly good at tackling or winning the ball either. He does have some ability and if he can add a few assists or goals to his game from midfield then it will make a world of difference.

 

I'm loathe to criticise anybody after our recent run and ' that ' wonder goal v Yeovil. But Sam Kelly only scored worldies.

 

My own belief and i'm sorry to be negative after our superb run. Conlon is nowhere near good enough.

He was blown on by a Tranmere player, fell over, 10 seconds later bang , Norwood 2-0.

Yesterday and i'm sure others saw it by the Bycars/Paddock corner flag he was outfought by that 3 foot pygmy who came on for them.

 

He is physically weak and as a squad player maybe okay but we can all get carried away. Half of these players were the worst in our history 6 weeks ago now people are saying we can challenge next season.

 

The defence and keeper is excellent, we are at least 2 quality midfield players and a striker shy .

 

Like i say apologies i'm not negative, just trying to be balanced.

[The Kalamazoo Kid]

Agree with what's been said above about Conlon - he's weak and doesn't influence games enough to be a regular starter in central midfield. Having said that he's clearly got talent and is still young, so is probably worth retaining as a squad/ bench option for next season.

 

My main gripe with him is that he 'showboats' and p1sses around on the ball, thereby slowing the game down too much at times.

[jeffers]

Agree with what's been said above about Conlon - he's weak and doesn't influence games enough to be a regular starter in central midfield. Having said that he's clearly got talent and is still young, so is probably worth retaining as a squad/ bench option for next season.

 

My main gripe with him is that he 'showboats' and p1sses around on the ball, thereby slowing the game down too much at times.

 

I think his problem is that he is too one footed. Rarely see him trust his right foot. Not good for a central midfielder, don’t understand how pro footballers cannot use either foot.

[For Us All]

In terms of GD, we have the 9th best away record in the league (just -2) but in terms of away points, we are 14th. So not as good as I thought but enough to keep our heads above water. By contrast, our home record puts us in the bottom four.

 

https://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england4

 

Another couple of interesting stats as well from that link CD is that away from home, alongside Oldham,we have kept the most clean sheets(9).

Away from home we have also conceded fewer goals than anyone else (15).

Not so good at home unfortunately.

[TylerB]

Another couple of interesting stats as well from that link CD is that away from home, alongside Oldham,we have kept the most clean sheets(9).

Away from home we have also conceded fewer goals than anyone else (15).

Not so good at home unfortunately.

 

Not that surprising really when most teams that play against us have one or even two quick wingers, whereas we haven't. No point having a wide pitch if you're not going to use it to your advantage.

 

Also, Bycars should be closed. Get our fans in the Paddock and Lorne Street, and as close to the pitch as possible, to create the best atmosphere possible.

[Jacko51]

As a side issue did anyone else notice that "Smurthwaite's tune" was NOT played yesterday as the players ran onto the pitch? Sign that he's vacated the premises? Yesterday was a good day for Valiants.

 

What is Smurthwaite's tune? Was it that noisy Motorhead thing?

[Santa]

Mr Loverman by Shabba Ranks

[JohnJames]

Watch mardypants moan in Technicolor

 

https://bit.ly/2K9hWIO

[CambridgeDon]

I'm loathe to criticise anybody after our recent run and ' that ' wonder goal v Yeovil. But Sam Kelly only scored worldies.

 

My own belief and i'm sorry to be negative after our superb run. Conlon is nowhere near good enough.

He was blown on by a Tranmere player, fell over, 10 seconds later bang , Norwood 2-0.

Yesterday and i'm sure others saw it by the Bycars/Paddock corner flag he was outfought by that 3 foot pygmy who came on for them.

 

He is physically weak and as a squad player maybe okay but we can all get carried away. Half of these players were the worst in our history 6 weeks ago now people are saying we can challenge next season.

 

The defence and keeper is excellent, we are at least 2 quality midfield players and a striker shy .

 

Like i say apologies i'm not negative, just trying to be balanced.

 

I tend to agree with this. The few times I've seen us this season, despite our recent good run, I'd say we are five or six players short of a promotion challenging side: two quality midfield players; two strikers (or one striker and a goal scoring winger); and a seasoned, specialist left back (given that Vassell and Crooks are more like centre-backs). We're doing well at the moment but we have little depth and to challenge effectively you need strength in depth - and I'm not talking about the ridiculous 30+ thin-on-quality squad that we've had for the past two or three seasons, more like 24-26 with a lot more quality. We're also a bit on the small side for League 2 where you need some physical strength. The other factor is that, sooner or later, sides will work out how we are set up and Arthur (if he's still with us) needs to be able to vary the shape and play, particularly with pace out wide and overlapping full-backs on both wings.

 

After this season though, it's amazing to see what Arthur has done with a squad he's inherited and no pre-season. For once, optimism is in the air.

[TJHValiant]

What is Smurthwaite's tune? Was it that noisy Motorhead thing?

 

Smurfwaite’s tune is “Money for nothing” by Dire Straights.

[TJHValiant]

Not that surprising really when most teams that play against us have one or even two quick wingers, whereas we haven't. No point having a wide pitch if you're not going to use it to your advantage.

 

Also, Bycars should be closed. Get our fans in the Paddock and Lorne Street, and as close to the pitch as possible, to create the best atmosphere possible.

 

Bycars is the easiest way to get access to the ground walking from Tunstall, so it always needs to be an option in my view.

[SFBT]

Agree with what's been said above about Conlon - he's weak and doesn't influence games enough to be a regular starter in central midfield. Having said that he's clearly got talent and is still young, so is probably worth retaining as a squad/ bench option for next season.

 

My main gripe with him is that he 'showboats' and p1sses around on the ball, thereby slowing the game down too much at times.

Conlon is definitely a player in progress.

In my view, he has an excellent first touch, which buys him time and space.

Rarely loses possession, even when under pressure.

Passed well.

Seems to have good awareness.

Fits into the high press.

Ultra left footed, so misses some simple passes.

Seems to be improving in his tackling.

Overall, I'm generally impressed and expect him to develop further.

Are there better players out there?

Of course.

Will they be playing for Vale?

If so, let Conlon go.

If not, keep him.