Match Thread: Port Vale v Walsall

[Alkie]

51 minutes ago, PVFC764 said:

Is this ref actually a qualified ref?  Can the officials check he is not a Walsall fan.  

Come on Vale, it's 10 against 12 by the looks of it.

9 against 12 if you factor in Amoo’s contribution.   Evans had a poor game as did Gibbons but at least they put the effort in.  

[TylerB]

 

Amoo was hopeless. He's dissapointed me in a Vale shirt so far considering his pre season and needs to get a <ovf censored> grip. 

[CAVALIER]

The changes made a huge difference. Mainly because our reserves aren’t good enough. Conlon was dire and Evans awful. I felt to keep balance maybe Lloyd should have started on the left but get that he’s under uncalled for pressure. Never mind. First loss at home this season in December. When did that last happen? 

[Bald Eagle]

30 minutes ago, Boslem's Brazil said:

When I saw the line up I feared the worst, and so it proved. Just not enough creativity and Pope was completely marked out of the game.

Very frustrating, but a great week nevertheless.

UTV. 

But I thought if Pope starts he is guaranteed to score (if you are to believe some on here).  Would have been harsh to drop him after his hat trick, but early in 2nd half his number should have been up.

Exposed his lack of movement even more than usual, where other changes left us totally lacking in pace.  

Pushing Monty forward left us slower at the back and we lost his attacking threat (he creates more from full back than he does on the wing).

Atkinson slower than Joyce, Conlon slower than Burgess, Monty less attacking than Browne/ especially Wozza, and Pope far less mobile than Bennett.

For me it is not is Bennett better than Pope, it is what suits the system.  They sat deep, knew Tom would never run in behind them, and muscled him out of the game (aided by the referee).  

Bennett is far from perfect, but it was only when he came on that they started to retreat and we created a bit of pressure round their box.  Tom still has a role to play, but more often than not that should be from the bench as an impact player (last week being the exception no longer the norm).  

[Boslem's Brazil]

11 minutes ago, philmpv said:

Why is it when pope plays garbage it's because he was 'marked our of the game' or 'had no service' yet any other of our strikers in the same situation are crap?

Nobody came out of that game with any credit. No creativity at all. Amoo was woeful.

No saying that at all. Pope is what he is, a lower league static target man, that is fantastic in the air. I think long term Askey will always sign a front man with a bit of pace. But for now, we have to play with what we have got, and you can’t leave someone out who has scored a hatrick the previous game. 

[Bald Eagle]

3 minutes ago, Boslem's Brazil said:

No saying that at all. Pope is what he is, a lower league static target man, that is fantastic in the air. I think long term Askey will always sign a front man with a bit of pace. But for now, we have to play with what we have got, and you can’t leave someone out who has scored a hatrick the previous game. 

Agree he had earns the right to start, but did nothing to justify being left on.  

[Guitar Ray]

We’ve got no depth in the squad, which, aligned with inconsistent performances from many of the players, means we’re going to have games like this.

The main negative for me today was that we were out-battled.  The ref didn’t help but that’s no excuse. Conlons red looked nailed on to me as he appeared to lead with his forearm.

There was a total lack of urgency and no quality.  No point in playing Pope if the crosses are rubbish.
 

Our best 11 is OK but beyond that we’re struggling.  To really push on we need a couple of players in Jan.  Fullbacks, another wide player and maybe a pacey striker plus, if Brisley is out, cover at centre back.

[Rampant Zebra]

Bennett did nothing to suggest he should start instead of Pope. I thought Cullen looked the pick of our strikers today.

[TheSage]

I disagree with this criticism of Pope.

Pope can't score if he hasn't got the ball.

I don't recall anyone giving him the ball in the box or putting a centre on his head in the six yard box. His service was dire.

The problem wasn't Pope but the service to him. The 2 wide men were awful. The midfield was weak and didn't help him one iota. If you leave Pope isolated and don't feed him the ball then he won't do much will he?

Midfield and out wide was our problem, together with a lack of drive, determination and sheer will to win effort. 

[Inny]

Poor team performance today. Gibbons Legge and Smith only ones who merit a wage.

Amoo was so poor, Conlon poor (he needs to watch Taylor and Burgess play - far more direct and quick, the front 3 were poor, so little movement which was evident every time we had a throw in.

Walsall were awful and its shows how bad we were when they beat us. The players need to have a serious look at themselves and prove next week it was a one off.

[Bald Eagle]

14 minutes ago, TheSage said:

I disagree with this criticism of Pope.

Pope can't score if he hasn't got the ball.

I don't recall anyone giving him the ball in the box or putting a centre on his head in the six yard box. His service was dire.

The problem wasn't Pope but the service to him. The 2 wide men were awful. The midfield was weak and didn't help him one iota. If you leave Pope isolated and don't feed him the ball then he won't do much will he?

Midfield and out wide was our problem, together with a lack of drive, determination and sheer will to win effort. 

So in summary if he scores he’s a world beater, and if he has a stinker it’s not his fault?
 

At home his lack of movement/pace is a distinct disadvantage, and in no way suited to the high press system with which we have had most success.  This was added to by the loss of Wozza / Joyce, moving Monty out of the back line and also adding Conlon who continues to slow the play

There were also a couple of crosses to the back stick late on, but the number 5 beat him to them

 

 

[Walka003]

We’ve got no depth in the squad, which, aligned with inconsistent performances from many of the players, means we’re going to have games like this.
The main negative for me today was that we were out-battled.  The ref didn’t help but that’s no excuse. Conlons red looked nailed on to me as he appeared to lead with his forearm.
There was a total lack of urgency and no quality.  No point in playing Pope if the crosses are rubbish.
 
Our best 11 is OK but beyond that we’re struggling.  To really push on we need a couple of players in Jan.  Fullbacks, another wide player and maybe a pacey striker plus, if Brisley is out, cover at centre back.

I feel that our starting 11 is more than OK, you only have to look at our league position, cup runs etc.

[Joe B]

Hoping people don't overreact to today.

Missing our two best players and had an in-form Browne out requiring a fairly big change in shifting Monty on the wing and Evans at LB. A litany of errors was compounded by Evans losing his man for the goal.

Today underlines several things

1. Luke Joyce is absolutely fundamental. Midfield was lost without him keeping the shape and we resorted to hoofball because no one could take the ball off the defenders
2. Left back is an issue; Evans, Monty, and Atkinson all played there today. We need a specialist, the first priority in January
3. Forward line ineffectual. Pope failed to follow up his heroics last week (even his hold up play below par for once, one dreadful pass when Monty was nearly clean through), Cullen continues to be anonymous, Bennett put a shift in but threatened little. Archer I feel is worth a go but has only actually played well once, in a sub appearance in the FL trophy vs Macc.

Been a good run but two consecutive league defeats means we've got a job on our hands over Christmas.

Good to see 5000+ in Vale Park and a modicum of atmosphere for the first time in a few seasons.

 

[mikey]

worst performance of the season at home, and underlines our lack of depth. Zero creativity with no shots on target isn't good enough even with a few players missing. Pope up front on his own at home doesn't work either as hes not mobile enough.

Our  unbeaten home record  was never going to last, but just a shame to lose it like that.

 

[whotobeakiller]

55 minutes ago, Boslem's Brazil said:

No saying that at all. Pope is what he is, a lower league static target man, that is fantastic in the air. I think long term Askey will always sign a front man with a bit of pace. But for now, we have to play with what we have got, and you can’t leave someone out who has scored a hatrick the previous game. 

Pope will not play next week. Change needed...Cullen should start