Match Thread: Morecambe v Port Vale

[Fosse69]

 A trip  to the Shrimpers at the seaside with strong home form, will be a tough nut to crack, check how  Posh did it to break their 10 match run. Take confidence from a win over Exeter. Keep a settled tight defence, expect more goals from more forward options, then  lets edge a win but likely settle for a draw.

[werstayinup]

Keep the same side for this one if Robinson is fit  imo although having said that it might be nice to see Harrison and Taylor link up together from the start if both are fit enough

[NorthwoodValiant]

Can see Harrison or Proctor starting this one considering they aren't playing on our pitch

[Andy Proctor]

I'd bring benning in for Robinson as he is actually left footed and is better defensively than Robinson is. Wouldn't be surprised though if Clarke made his normal 4 or 5 changes to the team.

[bomber]

An other tough game ! Would take a point now! Just hope we turn up we could do with something as we have two very difficult away games.

[Playa Amodores]

Agreed, I hope they keep the same starting 11 if possible. Some pressure has been relieved with the three points at the weekend COYW

[Walka003]

Harrison for Massey, otherwise same 11. 2-0 vale.

[Guppys left peg]

I’d probably go Proctor in for Massey then let Taylor play off him. Other than that same players but maybe switch sides for Worrall and Robinson as Worrall can play genuinely with either foot.

[valefan16]

Big game, its one that with a win puts on all but safe (would probably only need 2-3 more points max if we win tomorrow) so could have us dreaming of the beach.

Point would be acceptable though as these have a decent home form  but overall are in far worse form than the original fixture and are haemorrhaging goals (17 in 6!) so a decent attacking performance should yield chances.

Its a case now of just ticking the points over and we should trundle along to safety, a win here would go a long way to that and its a big opportunity to do that and build on Saturday, especially with Bolton up next.

With their weakness at the back would like to see Ellis start.

 

Interestingly its worth noting in the last 14 games, the opponents we face we took a huge 23 points off first half of the season (out of 33 from the first meetings from all 23) so despite our loose form in recent weeks from the first 9 we have played we are only 3 points worse off than we were against the same 9 opponents in the first half of the season.

[Valiant62]

You’ve hurt me head with those stats, I’m going for a lie down.

[PVFC764]

If no injuries - then stick to the starting 11.  It looked like a side who can do things.

No doubt they will now rest a few players and we will look weaker again.

[Trumpingtonvale]

2 hours ago, Guppys left peg said:

I’d probably go Proctor in for Massey then let Taylor play off him. Other than that same players but maybe switch sides for Worrall and Robinson as Worrall can play genuinely with either foot.

Regards Wozza agree, he can cross with either foot (cross for our goal in the Swindon playoff game at VP a prime example) whereas Sammy seems to have to cut inside to put it on his preferred foot for providing anything like a decent cross.  Think there was an element of Worrall being given a defensive job against Caprice on Saturday (being better defensively than Robinson) otherwise a switch between the two might have given a better offensive balance to us - they could potentially switch tomorrow night but with DC guess there’s no guarantee either will be picked even if fit.

[valefan16]

1 hour ago, PVFC764 said:

If no injuries - then stick to the starting 11.  It looked like a side who can do things.

No doubt they will now rest a few players and we will look weaker again.

Defeatist as this sounds I would go full pelt tomorrow and rest players if needed at Bolton.

[NorthwoodValiant]

5 minutes ago, valefan16 said:

Defeatist as this sounds I would go full pelt tomorrow and rest players if needed at Bolton.

I also agree with this approach,

And I promise it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm going to Morecambe tomorrow but missing Bolton on Saturday

[Warren]

Bolton are beatable. But this is a bigger game because it can massively reduce the risk of relegation if we win. With games running out a draw is also worth more than earlier in the season. 

I think it's essential we keep the back door shut. If we can do that, including soaking up early pressure, we have enough quality to win. Morecambe won't be easy though as until last Saturday's loss they were 10 unbeaten on their own pitch.