4 hours ago, jjvale_03 said:

Massive over-reaction from most to a narrow defeat.

I think being soaked wet through on a miserable December lunchtime has increased the annoyance of the match going fans. For the armchair lot (the group to which I belong nowadays), it was a nothing game where both sides huffed and puffed to various degrees in awful conditions, which looked destined to end 0-0. Their big striker scored a freak header from a corner, our big strikers watched from the bench as we booted the ball out of play from our corners. Fine margins. 

Our short passing was poor across the team, we didn't create enough and some of the lads looked jaded in the last 30 mins (again). However, defensively we gave them nothing bar a free header from a corner, we created a similar amount of chances as them (few) and the midfield battle was tit-for-tat. Their subs didn't make much of an impact, neither did ours. 

Moore needs to stop tinkering quite so much, but the wheels haven't exactly fallen off. We've got some tricky matches coming up but our points total means we'll still be in the mix come January... when Carol may flex her financial muscle once more and we tweak the squad again - a luxury some of the other sides currently towards the top won't have. 

Easy to say from my armchair but chill out guys - don't turn this into a typical Vale fan mid season 'wobble' - we'll be absolutely fine. 

 

2 points from the last 12 and 5 goals in 7 games is no over-reaction. It's awful form and something needs to be done about it. Yes, we're still in a great position. But right now we look a team lacking ideas and a manager that has no idea what his actual best side is. I do agree that we'll be fine in the end, but 1 point from 6 at home to two teams just below us (at the time) is a really poor return however you look at it and we seem to be every bit in a mid-season wobble.

 

Edited December 9, 20241 yr by Valiiant

2 minutes ago, Valiiant said:

 

2 points from the last 12 and 5 goals in 7 games is no over-reaction. It's awful form and something needs to be done about it. Yes, we're still in a great position. But right now we look a team lacking ideas and a manager that has no idea what his actual best side is. I do agree that we'll be fine in the end, but 1 point from 6 at home to two teams just below us (at the time) is a really poor return however you look at it and we seem to be every bit in a mid-season wobble.

 

Agreed, but a quick scan at this shows that other than MK Dons quite a few others are treading water too. 

Have to look at the fact we're 2nd. If we'd of been 15th in October and then done an MK this place would be bouncing. 

 

6 minutes ago, darren1810 said:

Agreed, but a quick scan at this shows that other than MK Dons quite a few others are treading water too. 

Have to look at the fact we're 2nd. If we'd of been 15th in October and then done an MK this place would be bouncing. 

 

 

I just feel we've become a bit of a negative team again, trying to nick games. For me it's infuriating that we have some quality attackers and yet I can barely remember the last time we played really well and put a team to the sword. I felt Walsall were extremely ordinary on Saturday and were there for the taking, but they deservedly got the 3 points because we managed to be even more crap they they were on the day. And the shocking condition were obviously against both sides. I'm sure we'll go on another run sooner or later, it's just all a bit of a grind at the moment.

7 minutes ago, Valiiant said:

 

I just feel we've become a bit of a negative team again, trying to nick games. For me it's infuriating that we have some quality attackers and yet I can barely remember the last time we played really well and put a team to the sword. I felt Walsall were extremely ordinary on Saturday and were there for the taking, but they deservedly got the 3 points because we managed to be even more crap they they were on the day. And the shocking condition were obviously against both sides. I'm sure we'll go on another run sooner or later, it's just all a bit of a grind at the moment.

We definitely have, he just needs to take the shackles off. Let them attack, 5 shots on target in 5 games is beyond bad. We really only score belters or set pieces. In my opinion we’re struggling up top not just because of the safe outlook but the constant swapping of attackers. Let the same players play 3/4 games in a row and build some partnerships. Chislett, tolaj, Curtis, Stockley and Paton should be killing this league but 4 of those are being held back

Just now, Valiiant said:

 

I just feel we've become a bit of a negative team again, trying to nick games. For me it's infuriating that we have some quality attackers and yet I can barely remember the last time we played really well and put a team to the sword. I felt Walsall were extremely ordinary on Saturday and were there for the taking, but they deservedly got the 3 points because we managed to be even more crap they they were on the day. And the shocking condition were obviously against both sides. I'm sure we'll go on another run sooner or later, it's just all a bit of a grind at the moment.

League games only I don't think we've played well since the first 20 v Wimbledon,  we are definitely limping along. 

I just think we've got to trust in what we're doing. I think it was Joe who posted about indifferent form from the likes of Stockport and Mansfield last season. 

It does happen. We had it ourselves pre Christmas last promotion season. 

We're hanging in there, MK can't keep winning it's impossible. Suddenly lose a couple and we managed to win we'd be 8 clear again, obviously all hypothesis. 

I think DM caught between rock and hard place with the squad. You can never have too many options but at times there is no doubt there's been weird selections.

In the main he's been vindicated though.

Walsall were better than us on Saturday but almost seems that even if they were 20th it's irrelevant, a berserk hoodoo.

I'm convinced that come mid January we'll be looking solid and in a great position with another 7 or 8 games ticked off. 

Definitely cause for concern but not for panic. 

 

Agree with Darren, I'd probably say a bit longer than 20 mins against Wimbledon, we had a decent spell after they got back to 2-1 and Stockley then got the 3rd but we tried to (almost stupidly) shut up shop last 15 mins or so and nearly paid the price. That said it was a good game and entertaining(more so for the neutral at the end!) for the most part and they weren't a bad side so a good 3 points.

Before that we've probably played well-very well or controlled games against Newport, Chesterfield, Swindon and Fleetwood.  The 2 wins away at Notts and MK were more dogged performances although we were good and should have scored more than 1 at MK 2nd half imo.  Notts I didn't see a lot of it as I was on holibobs in Portugal.  Harrogate and Morecambe were again more ground out wins.  I went to Morecambe and we only really got going the last 20 mins before that it was a poor game on a knife edge(much like Saturday but Walsall are a bit better than Morecambe).  Crewe I actually thought we played well 1st half and it had the makings of a good game but the sending off killed it as a contest and we again went in our shell like the end of the Wimbledon game.  Who knows what would have transpired but for that?

3 hours ago, Valiiant said:

 

2 points from the last 12 and 5 goals in 7 games is no over-reaction. It's awful form and something needs to be done about it. Yes, we're still in a great position. But right now we look a team lacking ideas and a manager that has no idea what his actual best side is. I do agree that we'll be fine in the end, but 1 point from 6 at home to two teams just below us (at the time) is a really poor return however you look at it and we seem to be every bit in a mid-season wobble.

 

Would be a good point, but it's actually 5 points from 12 over our last 4 games. As wobbles go, we've had much much worse over the years.

During the 12/13 promotion season between game 14 and 18, out of 15 possible points we got 4.

During the 21/22 season we had some shocking spells over 4 games. First 4 games we got 3 points from 12. Game 15 to 18 we got 4 points. Game 21 to 24 we got 1 point. 

They are bad spells in promotion seasons. You'd think we're on the worst run ever...far from it.

Edited December 9, 20241 yr by Family Stand Terrier

I've done it myself but it's disingenuous to just cut off at an arbitrary date to make the stats look worse.

The reality is we've played 19 and we've got the second most points of anyone. You can draw a line wherever to fit a narrative.

17 hours ago, Valiiant said:

 

I just feel we've become a bit of a negative team again, trying to nick games. For me it's infuriating that we have some quality attackers and yet I can barely remember the last time we played really well and put a team to the sword. I felt Walsall were extremely ordinary on Saturday and were there for the taking, but they deservedly got the 3 points because we managed to be even more crap they they were on the day. And the shocking condition were obviously against both sides. I'm sure we'll go on another run sooner or later, it's just all a bit of a grind at the moment.

Points wise over the season we’re in a great position and hopefully that form will continue over the season and see us promoted.

However the fact still remains that we have only outplayed one team which was Newport away.

The other performances have been huff and puff - all heart but no real quality.

It would be nice to see some more attacking impetuous but if we get promoted who cares, right?

If we don’t however fingers will be pointed to this problem.

Edited December 10, 20241 yr by PV1993

I’ve been a DM fan since day 1 but really concerned about his press conferences and view of games. Every game is a tight match, nothing in it, we learn and go again, yet I’m looking at the resources available to him and thinking WHY are so many games tight with nothing in it. This is the issue for me, we can all see they are tight cagy affairs, but should they be? You’re explaining the outcome, yet not addressing the cause, which imo is the lack of confidence or willingness to attack. Formation, players, rotation, I don’t know why we are not dominating some games but unless DM starts addressing the cause not the explaining the outcome I fear our potential will not be realised.

18 minutes ago, PV1993 said:

Points wise over the season we’re in a great position and hopefully that form will continue over the season and see us promoted.

However the fact still remains that we have only outplayed one team which was Newport away.

The other performances have been huff and puff - all heart but no real quality.

It would be nice to see some more attacking impetuous but if we get promoted who cares, right?

If we don’t however fingers will be pointed to this problem.

When you say outplayed are you talking just hammering them on the scoreboard in which case yes. That said we were much better than Fleetwood, Harrogate we could and should have scored far more especially first half. Even at Notts and MK though they had the bulk of the territory and possession it was us with the majority of the clear chances. I guess when you talk outplayed it’s what metric you’re using. It’s not a fluke we are where we are at almost halfway though I do agree we need more cohesion in possession than we’ve shown of late.

Edited December 10, 20241 yr by Guppys left peg

9 minutes ago, Guppys left peg said:

When you say outplayed are you talking just hammering them on the scoreboard in which case yes. That said we were much better than Fleetwood, Harrogate we could and should have scored far more especially first half. Even at Notts and MK though they had the bulk of the territory and possession it was us with the majority of the clear chances. I guess when you talk outplayed it’s what metric you’re using. It’s not a fluke we are where we are at almost halfway though I do agree we need more cohesion in possession than we’ve shown of late.

I thought we were really good against Chesterfield as well mate. One of my fave performances of the season so far. 

5 minutes ago, VTID-New said:

I thought we were really good against Chesterfield as well mate. One of my fave performances of the season so far. 

Yes forgot about that one. Byers and Garrity put in a masterclass in midfield that day. Won’t be long before we have both of them back in the middle of the park and I guess what I’d say is let’s just see how we look then. Not that am jettisoning Croasdale at all or Harper for that matter. 

On 08/12/2024 at 02:09, saddlesore said:

Mate, most of us wanted DC gone. He was an arrogant disgrace. If you don't know the history between both sides, going back 40+ years, then I'm guessing you're a young 'un.

You might have wanted him gone, but your fans never shut up about him all the time he was our manager. 

Just now, ValeFanInBrum said:

You might have wanted him gone, but your fans never shut up about him all the time he was our manager. 

Yet Walsall have hated us ever since we took him and made a big rivalry from their side out of it? Makes no sense to me that if they didn't want him.