Stevenage (A) FAC2 match thread 2nd Dec

[JRC]

Watching the Derby and Shrewsbury game the lack of a left footed player is our biggest problem. Both teams were trying to push play over to the left and we just can't get quick balls into the box from that side. Benning isn't as good a footballer as Plant, Clark or Sang but he would have got more quick ball into the box. The players covering that position get into good positions but balls into the box take too long; if they go in at all. It might be worth putting Jones or Conlon over there, neither will hit the byline but at least there is a chance we could get quick balls in from slightly deeper positions; which is what Grant offered. I don't think it matters who plays up front if we don't get balls into the area until defences are fully setup.  Then get Sang on the right and at least we can get some balls into the box for a forward to actually attack.

I think I'd play 3 5 2.

Debrah Smith Lacovitti 

Sang Devine Ojo Arblaster Jones (maybe Conlon)

Garrity Uche

[PV1973]

2 hours ago, JRC said:

Watching the Derby and Shrewsbury game the lack of a left footed player is our biggest problem. Both teams were trying to push play over to the left and we just can't get quick balls into the box from that side. Benning isn't as good a footballer as Plant, Clark or Sang but he would have got more quick ball into the box. The players covering that position get into good positions but balls into the box take too long; if they go in at all. It might be worth putting Jones or Conlon over there, neither will hit the byline but at least there is a chance we could get quick balls in from slightly deeper positions; which is what Grant offered. I don't think it matters who plays up front if we don't get balls into the area until defences are fully setup.  Then get Sang on the right and at least we can get some balls into the box for a forward to actually attack.

I think I'd play 3 5 2.

Debrah Smith Lacovitti 

Sang Devine Ojo Arblaster Jones (maybe Conlon)

Garrity Uche

It’s probably stating the obvious. But any of the right footed lads playing on the left should be making sure they’re doing extra crossing practice on their left foot. 

[JRC]

21 minutes ago, PV1973 said:

It’s probably stating the obvious. But any of the right footed lads playing on the left should be making sure they’re doing extra crossing practice on their left foot. 

Very very few players at this level are beyond functional over 10 yards and being able to swing their weaker foot at the ball close to goal (Devine midweek). It would take years for most of our right footed players to be able to cross accurately from the left; particularly on a pitch the size of Vale Park. People tend to comment on left footed players being one footed but I don't think we have a single two footed player. Maybe Arblaster.

[sheffield61]

CrWHO game already PP tomorrow's due to a frozen pitch, boat load MORE will follow tomorrow for SURE.....

[Andy Proctor]

17 hours ago, andy jones said:

Anyone know how many we have sold for this?

Not many probably 300 be our lowest following of the season and it's understandable considering how <ovf censored> we are.

[Paul6754]

49 minutes ago, PV1973 said:

It’s probably stating the obvious. But any of the right footed lads playing on the left should be making sure they’re doing extra crossing practice on their left foot. 

I wish Vale would add some variety into the crossing, free kicks and corners.

Sang's whipped in stuff are dangerous but they're not the sort of crosses where the likes of Uche, Debrah, Loft, Garrity or anyone can attack them. Garrity did run across a defender and get on the end of one (Sang or Devine cross?) but that's the exception not the norm.

I'd like to see more of a variety, a few more Worral type floaty crosses for example.

[CambridgeDon]

6 hours ago, valefan16 said:

We are kind of where we were around this time in 2000/01, decent performances, lack of goals and it just not clicking... if we could just find a Stevie Brooker to sign we'd be flying like then but January is critical.

It might help to sign a decent forward in January but to be honest I haven’t any faith in Crosby to make it work. He shows absolutely no understanding of how to organise or set up a cutting attack nor how to create chances. We are slow and turgid going forward, move the ball side to side (or backwards) in preference to going direct at the opposition’s back line, don’t run the channels effectively, are too slow putting in crosses and show no inclination to overload the penalty box.

As someone has already posted on here, we could sign Haaland and he wouldn’t score. 

[MBE]

Respect to any fan travelling tomorrow. 

Win, lose or draw Crosby Out!!

 

[Trumpingtonvale]

8 hours ago, The French Connection said:

 

They say Love is Blind, and [to quote Grace Jones] Love is the Drug - put all that together and you've got the lot of a football fan.  I'm in my 60th year of supporting the Vale, and Drug is the best word I can think of to describe my addiction! 

Have not been getting the same ‘hit’ in recent weeks so am upping the dose and going tomorrow (it’s an easy fix since only 40 mins away).

UTV

[Brian Johnson]

1 hour ago, MBE said:

Respect to any fan travelling tomorrow. 

Win, lose or draw Crosby Out!!

 

In a bizarre twist, the prize money for winning tomorrow could be the money needed to pay off AC

[Rampant Zebra]

Let's hope he doesn't read this then, that might give Andy ideas...

[Brian Johnson]

18 minutes ago, Rampant Zebra said:

 that might give Andy ideas...

That would make a welcome change

[smithie]

1 hour ago, MBE said:

Respect to any fan travelling tomorrow. 

Win, lose or draw Crosby Out!!

 

This time tomorrow we could be in the 3rd round of the FA Cup as well as being in the QF of the Carabao Cup, and as previously stated we average a point a game away from home in the league. 

Put like that, wouldn't dismissing AC look ridiculous? 

[darren1810]

6 hours ago, Brian Johnson said:

We were poor on Tuesday, Make no bones about that.

I also think we gave Derby more of a game last season than on Tuesday. We had a good go at them last season.

On paper, Derby in my eyes are a much weaker side than last season too

I understand 2 min highlights on YouTube aren't the best gauge. But on the highlights they did actually have some really wasteful opportunities to bury us. Yet I didn't actually rate them much. 

At the game itself maybe because of the cold and boredom their chances somewhat passed me by. I know that sounds daft but at times my mind and focus was wandering as it was so dull. 

[Brian Johnson]

2 minutes ago, smithie said:

This time tomorrow we could be in the 3rd round of the FA Cup as well as being in the QF of the Carabao Cup, and as previously stated we average a point a game away from home in the league. 

Put like that, wouldn't dismissing AC look ridiculous? 

No

And if we lose tomorrow, do you agree that he needs to be removed before Vales next game?