1 minute ago, Walka003 said:

Under every other manager he's had at vale, Smith has been the best player in the team, even Bruno. Crosby comes in and suddenly he's looking ropey, I wonder what the connection is?
 

I don't think it is that simple to be honest. Out of position or not, when you are defending in your box deep into the game, you don't do what he did today. We can look at tactics and formations, and I don't doubt Smith can have his good games (mainly in League 2) - I just think at this level we need a player who isn't a liability. 

1 minute ago, Walka003 said:

Under every other manager he's had at vale, Smith has been the best player in the team, even Bruno. Crosby comes in and suddenly he's looking ropey, I wonder what the connection is?
 

Pushed further out wide and is asked to play a role where he actually has to play football. Smith is an old fashioned CB who likes a tackle and wins a header, he's no ball playing defender.

I don't think it is that simple to be honest. Out of position or not, when you are defending in your box deep into the game, you don't do what he did today. We can look at tactics and formations, and I don't doubt Smith can have his good games (mainly in League 2) - I just think at this level we need a player who isn't a liability. 

But my point is he's never been a liability for us, ever. Why suddenly under this manager has his form dropped off a cliff? For me it has to be on the training ground.

Smith's always been awful. No pace crap in the air crap on the ball. Gets away with it cos 'he's one of our own' interesting how no one has ever come in for him.

Pushed further out wide and is asked to play a role where he actually has to play football. Smith is an old fashioned CB who likes a tackle and wins a header, he's no ball playing defender.

Clarke played this exact formation with Smith in the middle and he was rock solid last year. Why continue to play someone in a position he's not comfortable with, just to accommodate Jason Lowe?

Absolute garbage from Bing . From selection to substitutions to game management. The bloke is inept needs to go tonight after that u10s management performance 

I feel Crosby substitutions have cost us 15 points this season. I know that's a guess. Clone subs of Uch and Loft, swap defenders for attackers and invite pressure, take off experience and bring on inexperience / worse players et al. Crosby is a masterclass in getting it wrong over and over. And it is really annoying.  

Edited January 1, 20242 yr by Warren

Is it maybe because because the current manager hasn't got a clue , walka 03

1 hour ago, Nippy Naylor said:

I just despair ,How can a guy who couldn't manage the proverbial in a brewery and continues to enforce the same safety first tactics every game stay in a job ? 

I thought that you were waiting until the end of the season to see how it pans out?  That lasted long.

Edited January 1, 20242 yr by NellyTheValiant

3 minutes ago, Walka003 said:

6 minutes ago, Sam Kelly said:

Pushed further out wide and is asked to play a role where he actually has to play football. Smith is an old fashioned CB who likes a tackle and wins a header, he's no ball playing defender.

Clarke played this exact formation with Smith in the middle and he was rock solid last year. Why continue to play someone in a position he's not comfortable with, just to accommodate Jason Lowe?

Only 1 man can answer that

Surely Carol wont be happy with how we play in these games

The dynamics have changed nelly can you honestly say you think Crosby is the right manager for the vale , do me a favour .  

3 minutes ago, Warren said:

I feel Crosby substitutions have cost us 15 points this season. I know that's a guess. Clone subs of Uch and Loft, swap defenders for attackers and invite pressure, take off experience and bring on inexperience / worse players et al. Crosby is a masterclass in getting it wrong over and over. And it is really annoying.  

We've also lost points by yet again conceding goal after 90th minute! When will we ever learn?

Or is carol watching the football matches through rose tinted glasses ,werestayinup

1 hour ago, darren1810 said:

Plant in a sling bad injury. Ojo possibly shouldn't of played v Boro. Done more damage. 

The annoying one for me is Jones. Where the hell is he. I'm not a huge fan. But in this sieve and mismatch of a defence he'd of had a look in by now. Think he's had 3 successive Crimbos off. 

Think it’s time we cut ties with Jones now. He goes AWOL for months every season. He’s also another calamity waiting to happen too.