56 minutes ago, darren1810 said:

The thought of CJ Hamilton steaming at Lomax makes me very nervous. 

Thought Hamilton played on the right - so steaming at Grant 🫣. Whatever side it is,  the wingbacks might have their hands full if he decides to put on a show.

So much negativity on on this forum and I do understand why. But very few Vale fans have seen them win as few times as me over the years and I normally come between six to ten matches per season due to refereeing commitments. But when I do my fifty mike commute to the Vale I always believe I may possibly see them win. Since beating Swindon in the Division Two Play Off Semi Final two seasons ago I have attended a dozen matches with one victory v Carlisle earlier this season. Yes the football is not particularly exciting to watch and Andy Crosby may well not be most people's choice. But how many managers in the past ten years have fans liked? I am not a fan of Andy Crosby but who would replace him and would be prepared to come to Vale Park. This IS NOT THE PREMIER LEAGUE or even THE CHAMPIONSHIP. Take for example Steven Schmaucher leaving Plymouth to go to STOKE CITY who have a multi billionaire Chairman, who appoints a manager who took Plymouth from League One to The Championship and according sources from Argyle Fans Forum, STOKE have quadrupled his wages. That unfortunately unless Vale can get Robbie Williams on board will NEVER happen at Vale. YES we all want success and to play attractive football, but this is PORT VALE.

 I live on Shropshire/ Staffordshire border and many of my friends are avid Shrewsbury Town fans and ninety per cent of them want Matt Taylor sacked. But again it's down to a lack of finance and who do you replace him with. Reality is there are NO GUARANTEES of success in football. STOKE CITY are the proof of the pudding in recent seasons, six managers and some with a reallygood reputation, but still they have failed not only to finish in the top half of the Championship, but not got anywhere near a return to The Premier League.

 Again tonight I am dreaming that Vale might possibly beat Blackpool. But again according to their fans forum many of their fans are disillusioned with away performances and their manager. Who according to their fans forum has had an interview for vacant manager's position at Plymouth Argyle.

 One more sobering though for fans moaning and YES this particular club who are currently bottom of League One and have some investment coming their way in January from new American owners, Carlisle United have sold inexcess of 4,000 tickets for tonight's game at Wigan Athletic. I think that is fantastic and even Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has received verbal abuse from some fans in recent matches. It's a fans perogative to moan when their team are not brilliant and we all want to see  our teams being successful. But for me if Vale win tonight and avoid relegation I will be happy.

UTV

If the players bother to turn up and show half the passion and commitment of Oli we will be OK. Never over confident with Vale but just hope we can do something. 

3 hours ago, Hoppers said:

just hope he breaks habit of a life time and puts 2 strikers on (at the same time 😮🙈😍)

Serious question. How many teams actually play with 2 strikers up top? 

I know the young lads did well when they came on, but I'd be really concerned about them starting against Blackpool's attack.

There again I would be if Grant and Massey started, so 🤷‍♂️

39 minutes ago, PV1973 said:

Serious question. How many teams actually play with 2 strikers up top? 

No idea but I know what happened against Barnsley in the 2nd half when we had two on 😍😍😍😍

2 hours ago, Trumpingtonvale said:

Thought Hamilton played on the right - so steaming at Grant 🫣. Whatever side it is,  the wingbacks might have their hands full if he decides to put on a show.

Yes, on the right.  From memory we had Planty up against him in the reverse fixture.

1 hour ago, bomber said:

If the players bother to turn up and show half the passion and commitment of Oli we will be OK. Never over confident with Vale but just hope we can do something. 

The ones who finished Tuesdays game certainly showed passion and commitment. Hopefully some of the fans can do likewise and collectively we may get something out of tonight’s game. 

Like it Big Uche and JW - christmas has come late but better late than never 😍😍😍😍

Really concerned about the two young lads playing. It’s one thing playing 20 mins against a team that’s on the defensive. It’s a whole other being dropped into a game like this, with one of them up against CJ Hamilton.

Only time will tell if it was the right team I personally think he as gone with bar Smith the best side he could play .

Let's hope defence do there jobs properly this evening .

All the players benched deserve be .

I'd rather see a team running hard Lomax and Shorrock deserve there place and anythings better than going with same old .

Let's hope we get the win .

Enjoy the game fellow Valiants 

He actually went and did it and gone with Lomax and Shorrock. Go well to both of them is all I can say.

Feels to me somewhat like a thinly veiled ‘look Carol how I’ve promoted youth which is just what you want so don’t sack me’. 

4 minutes ago, Quebec_Valiant said:

I actually like that! Into em Vale, people moaning about playing the kids at wing back. Massey is fuckin useless & Grant isn't much better. Poor signing regardless of his pedigree. Uche has willo to play off alongside him. come on Vale 

Pretty bonkers and risky decision to start both of the young lads. We could potentially be hanging them out to dry here.

Is it really any good for them being thrown in for a game like this?