2 hours ago, valiant_593 said:

Huge misses. Byers is one of the best players in the division and John has been excellent. I wonder if we may see Connor Grant in the coming weeks 

I spoke to one of the new players after the Notts County game and enquired about Smudger and also Grant.

He said Smith is fit but being overlooked while Grant has been fit for about 5 weeks at least and been really impressive in training and all the new  players can't understand why he is never selected. 

So it sounds like they are out the door January 

UTV

2 hours ago, NortonValiant said:

John & Byers big misses, but they'll be back soon enough.

We have a squad good enough now to replace them which sounds bizarre for us.

                           Ripley

   Debrah       Heneghan        Hall

Cover      Croasdale    Garrity    Curtis 

                            Chiz

                   Tolaj          Stockley

2-1 Vale.

I’m a Curtis fan but not at LWB….asking for trouble. It’s a big problem to solve for DM. 

Some good news. Gareth spotted Hart at training today. At least we know he’s only two weeks away😉

36 minutes ago, MBE said:

Some good news. Gareth spotted Hart at training today. At least we know he’s only two weeks away😉

Big test for all concerned next couple of weeks! We will be able to have a clearer picture of our squad depth that’s for sure.

Recall James Plant, he's never let us down, ideal replacement for Kyle John.

6 minutes ago, billbee33 said:

Recall James Plant, he's never let us down, ideal replacement for Kyle John.

Good call. Will Grant get a chance he could come good with better players around him!

I personally feel the work chizzy and Curtis goes unnoticed,one door closes one opens whoever selected better be ready because last week we got away with letting balls come in from the oppositions flank Kyle Johns side he usually plays especially with Shorrock having not being involved since Barrow (cup),he did ok but was relieved see him replaced .

We might not be as fortunate if we do not close down cross quicker 

We must go to MK with a positive can do attitude .

If we do we can win the game .

Sore throat today doesn't seem to want shift,people are walking illnesses ,going work when ill ,swimming etc going gym when ill ,I don't want be ill (sorry for rant ).

I'm.surprised no update on tickets sold unless it's still 722 and no one else is going which is still a respectable following

UTV 

 

 

Edited October 10, 20241 yr by Dipepa delight

I feel that Jack Shorrock will be the deputy in John's absence, and I think he'll be absolutely fine.

John a massive miss though.

22 minutes ago, billbee33 said:

Recall James Plant, he's never let us down, ideal replacement for Kyle John.

Can we recall him at the moment? I thought we couldn't recall during the first month?  Perhaps someone who is more au fait with the loan rules can correct me if I'm way off the mark.... I often am !!

Byers is absolute quality but I mentioned in the summer that his availability is really not good. He never hit 25 league games for Weds. He's never played more than 50.8% of league minutes in a season.

Last season he played 33% of league minutes; the season before, 38%; the season before that, 42%. 

I've glad we've got him but I feel he's going to be a 'added bonus when he's fit' rather than a player to hang your hat on. He's now missed the entirety of pre-season and will miss several weeks again now. If he hits anywhere near half of the minutes, he's hitting his all-time peak.

He'll win us the games he plays but we need to build a squad that can function for half of the season without him, as that's at best what we're going to get.

44 minutes ago, billbee33 said:

Recall James Plant, he's never let us down, ideal replacement for Kyle John.

It’s an option but I’m guessing that would depend on the fitness of Connor Grant and how far away Sam Hart is.

The other option would be a back 4 and put Hall at LB.

25 minutes ago, JoeB2 said:

I feel that Jack Shorrock will be the deputy in John's absence, and I think he'll be absolutely fine.

John a massive miss though.

We can’t rely on Shorrock. He’s a kid and I don’t think he’s managed beyond 80 minutes in a senior game.

Might get away with it in an odd game but not for a few weeks.

18 minutes ago, MBE said:

We can’t rely on Shorrock. He’s a kid and I don’t think he’s managed beyond 80 minutes in a senior game.

Might get away with it in an odd game but not for a few weeks.

I think we're going to have to. We have 4 players who can play left back (Hart, Clark, John, Grant) injured/not fit. Every team would have to rely on a young lad in that scenario. We're in 5th choice territory.

1 hour ago, MBE said:

Some good news. Gareth spotted Hart at training today. At least we know he’s only two weeks away😉

On paper Port vale have a very strong squad and are unbeaten in six games. In contention for promotion at the moment. However, some teams start to fade away after the Xmas fixtures. I would like to know from a devoted port vale fan the following question, "is your glass 🍸 half full or empty at this moment in time". 

8 minutes ago, JoeB2 said:

I think we're going to have to. We have 4 players who can play left back (Hart, Clark, John, Grant) injured/not fit. Every team would have to rely on a young lad in that scenario. We're in 5th choice territory.

Maybe he gets another start Sat but who’s coming on to replace him when he’s fatigued?

I expect us to find a different solution.

One thing we’ve learnt is DM is not afraid of making changes or a big call