Blackpool (H) match thread - 29th Dec

[Vtid]

1 minute ago, Wrex said:

After that first half on boxing day, and the news that Arblaster had gone, Crosby looking like a dead man walking, he names 16/17 year olds at wing back and we go and have the biggest win of the season against Blackpool.

Football doesn't make sense at times does it?

Keep the faith!

Was very brave tonight & he got it absolutely spot on 👌🏻 fair play to him he deserves that after a difficult start to his managerial career & his critics ( me included ) recently 

[Nippy Naylor]

I get your points vale forever but some of the recent performances haven't been nowhere near good enough that's why people have been putting their point of view across it's all about opinions, UTV 

[Nippy Naylor]

Tonight was a great win without a doubt but let's see how we go for the rest of the season there's still a long way to go .

[Alfie1962]

22 minutes ago, CambridgeDon said:

Well done, the Vale. After Tuesday's performance, where did that come from? Credit to Crosby for his team selection tonight, at last he's listened to us know-alls on OVF and played two upfront with Chizzy behind. Thought Uche and Wilson were immense tonight and the turning point was the interchange between Chizzy and Wilson with that wonderful Willo left foot finish into the top corner. Sandwiched between Gazza's great opener and Smudger's tap in, it made for a great scoreline.

Credit to all the lads tonight -  even Lofty - for digging in after a slow start. Thought they really fought for each other and the two youngsters, especially Shorrock, were a credit to the Academy (take a bow, Will Ryder!). The difference between the two sides was that their defence simply couldn't get to grips with Uch and Willo and they therefore struggled to build from the back. The wisdom of playing two up front, Willo and Uche - the Beauty and the Beast.

And all this with Ojo and Arblaster missing - who'd a thunk it?

Both those youngsters were at Vale well before Ryder took over. Well done Sevvy 

[Vtid]

2 minutes ago, Nippy Naylor said:

Tonight was a great win without a doubt but let's see how we go for the rest of the season there's still a long way to go .

let's just enjoy tonight 

[Biddulph_PV]

7 minutes ago, WV said:

Hope you’re ok bud 

Me & Mrs Biddulph_PV are having a lovely evening thanks for asking. Made even better for the Vale result. Hope you’re doing ok too hun?? Xx

[Fosse69]

When was the last time we beat all 3 teams, relegated from the Championship the previous season, at home ?

Sent from my SM-A715F using onevalefan mobile app

[Vtid]

Just now, Fosse69 said:

When was the last time we beat all 3 teams, relegated from the Championship the previous season, at home ?

Sent from my SM-A715F using onevalefan mobile app
 

2023? 

[sheffieldclayhead]

Well just goes to show I know Jack s**t about football 😂.

I do know supporting the Vale is one hell of a roller coaster.

Well done to the lads and AC tonight - just please keep it up

VTID

[ValeForever.]

7 minutes ago, Nippy Naylor said:

I get your points vale forever but some of the recent performances haven't been nowhere near good enough that's why people have been putting their point of view across it's all about opinions, UTV 

How recent we talking, Nippy? Last 5 games? Won 3, drawn 1, lost 1. 10 goals scored.

It is all about opinions. Just think Crosby deserves a break & those calling for his head need to calm down.

[Conrad]

3 hours ago, Vtid said:

he's been recalled what don't you get?

So he goes out on loan then 2 days later he’s recalled?

[Vtid]

Just now, ValeForever. said:

How recent we talking, Nippy? Last 5 games? Won 3, drawn 1, lost 1. 10 goals scored.

It is all about opinions. Just think Crosby deserves a break & those calling for his head need to calm down.

Granted 👍🏻 i've been calling for his head, yes performances haven't been great at times but i have to take into account & look at the table. We're joint on mid table with charlton now & when we do turn up we're a bloody good team. Im not saying i'm convinced he's the man to take us forward but he deserves some slack & will be getting it from me for now. We all love this club so i understood the reactions recently but 1 more win & were top half! I have to hold my hands up when i'm in the wrong & i've definitely overreacted at times this season. Onto the next 💪🏻 

[Lornelounger]

3 minutes ago, Conrad said:

So he goes out on loan then 2 days later he’s recalled?

Was it a result of Blades recalling Ollie?  We needed him back straight away?

 

[Packmoor_vale]

17 minutes ago, Biddulph_PV said:

Just seen the result…. wowsers. Amazing what happens with two strikers on. More of the same on Monday please! UTV!

10.10pm before u knew the result of tonight’s game?? 
 

[JoeB2]

That last 20 minutes at Barnsley could be huge.

Crosby appears to have found a few solutions:

- Athleticism in the flanks, led by the absolutely outstanding Shorrock. I've not seen a more composed 16 year old in football at this level. 

- Devine playing deeper, allowing him to control the game and play more direct passes than Ojo would in the same position

- Two up front, a physical player and a more mobile/technical one, giving us an outlet for our longer balls

- Chislett and Garrity as grafting '8s', one to create and one to rat away. Both worked exceptionally hard without the ball and combined delightfully for the opener.

- Debrah, Lowe, and Smith being the best back three combination.

Was really heartened by the energy, commitment, and aggression of the second half. We stopped faffing about with it and did what we do best - up and at them, into these football. The fans responded.

We need to use this as a springboard. I, as have others, have had major doubts but have tried to balance it with an acceptance that our league position was just about OK. Crosby has to be credited with placing faith in this crop of youngsters. 14th on New Years Day is pretty decent, if not outstanding. If we use the window to bring in 2-3 physical players in the right areas, we can build on this nice run of 10 points from 15. Anything above 12th is an outstanding season.

Will cool off on the desire to see managerial change. He's at least earned a fair run now, and I sincerely hope the DoF backs him with signings as astute as Debrah, who continues to impress.

The last point is that I've never seen us play more than 1-2 youngsters. To have seen Plant, Shorrock, Dipepa, Lomax and Walters contribute is honestly brilliant. I hope McDermott re-enters the fold. I'd rather these lads out there, grafting and making mistakes, than the experienced lads who have tried and failed to deliver.

Cracking night. Will pipe down and let Crosby cook for a bit.