It’s getting into strange territory because we are calling for a settled side but then probably picking something DM wouldn’t.

So do we stick with his side from the last match and let them gel?

For me, I wouldn’t be playing Debrah, Heneghan and Hall as a back three. Without Sang we’re just not good enough on the ball there.

Hart was on the bench so hopefully he will be fit enough for a start. Shame there’s still no Sang though.

A back four of John, Debrah, Hall, Hart gives you the four out of possession whereas in possession if one of the full backs pushes up the others can form into a three. That would be my starting point. Debrah has been poor but has the pace, but I’d be tempted to swap him for Smithy.

Keep Chislett deeper in a two with. Croasdale and let them gel.

Tolaj back in the 10 (where he has played his best football) flanked by Richards and Curtis. Encourage Curtis to cut in and shoot whenever possible, because he’s good at it and we haven’t let him to do it enough.

Paton up top. Give him a run and if we are hitting it long (which we shouldn’t in that side) at least aim it at his chest and not his head. But preferably keep it in the ground.

Time for Amos to get a run or do we stick with Ripley. He has been decent apart from Grimsby which was a stinker. I’d be tempted to stick

Team in full

4-2-3-1: Ripley; John, Debrah, Hall, Hart; Croasdale, Chislett; Richards, Tolaj, Curtis; Paton

Amos 

Clark

Debrah

Smith

Hall

John

Croasdale

X

Chis

Tolaj

Curtis

Stockley

Putting an X for whichever other central midfielder is fit enough to play. 

I do think a settled side is a must. We look so disjointed and nobody seems to know what they are doing. 

4-2-3-1

Amos

Clarke - Smith - Heneghan - John

Croasdale - Cover

Richards - Chislett - Curtis

Tolaj

Attack them.

Fullbacks overlapping.

Richards/Curtis running at defenders.

Get the ball forward quickly (NO HOOFING).

On 28/12/2024 at 09:41, robf said:

Can Vale start 2025 on a winning note? Here's the place to discuss the New Year's Day fixture against Cheltenham...

No

I think we might get a victory here, but it'll be crap, obviously.

Personally, I'd play 352. But not with 2 holding midfielders. You shouldn't need 2 CDM if playing 352 in possession and 532 when not on the ball. I also want to see 2 upfront. This gives us the chance to play Paton & Tolaj as strikers (not out wide). That's where they got their goals from last season. 

My 3 midfield would be a holding midfielder, box to box midfielder and an attacking/gets in the box/goal scoring midfielder. Certainly, not 2 holding CDMs.

Wing backs to defend when necessary but who can get down the down, carry the ball, get a cross in to the forwards.

Forwards: Two up top, playing off of each other and looking to get on the end of crosses.

When fit and on form (not like at the moment)for example
                                       Ripley

          Smith                 Heneghan              Hall

                                     Croasdale

Mitch                      Byers                                       John

                                             Garrity

                           Stockley               Tolaj/Paton

Curtis used to change things up. Anyone else half-decent on the bench

              

                                       

16 minutes ago, valeparklife said:

4-2-3-1

Amos

Clarke - Smith - Heneghan - John

Croasdale - Cover

Richards - Chislett - Curtis

Tolaj

Attack them.

Fullbacks overlapping.

Richards/Curtis running at defenders.

Get the ball forward quickly (NO HOOFING).

That works for me. The only slight thing I’d do is I think I’d rest Croasdale as the poor bloke must be running on fumes at this point. It’s risking an injury to him so assuming he’s not injured Grant in at CM for him. If Shorrock is in the squad to use him on the left of the three behind Tolaj and not at fullback.

Is Amos another one of those players who gets better the less he plays? He didn't look that amazing in the Vertu trophy game which was played at snails pace compared to a league game.

7 minutes ago, Rampant Zebra said:

Is Amos another one of those players who gets better the less he plays? He didn't look that amazing in the Vertu trophy game which was played at snails pace compared to a league game.

Doesn't look capable of playing for Port Vale.

25 minutes ago, Diego Maradona said:

Personally, I'd play 352. But not with 2 holding midfielders. You shouldn't need 2 CDM if playing 352 in possession and 532 when not on the ball. I also want to see 2 upfront. This gives us the chance to play Paton & Tolaj as strikers (not out wide). That's where they got their goals from last season. 

My 3 midfield would be a holding midfielder, box to box midfielder and an attacking/gets in the box/goal scoring midfielder. Certainly, not 2 holding CDMs.

Wing backs to defend when necessary but who can get down the down, carry the ball, get a cross in to the forwards.

Forwards: Two up top, playing off of each other and looking to get on the end of crosses.

When fit and on form (not like at the moment)for example
                                       Ripley

          Smith                 Heneghan              Hall

                                     Croasdale

Mitch                      Byers                                       John

                                             Garrity

                           Stockley               Tolaj/Paton

Curtis used to change things up. Anyone else half-decent on the bench

              

                                       

 

Win or leave in my view. We are playing a deeply mediocre Cheltenham Team at home. If Moore can’t mastermind a win here, he won’t anywhere. 

Moores team

Ripley

Debra

any other out of form players playing out of position

Hackford

 

I’d go for

Amos

Clark Smith Hannagan John

 Curtis croasdale Richards Shorrock 

tolaj paton

 

 

I think we’ll see a pressing and high intensity for at least the first 10 minutes. 

 

what I don’t understand is Ripley is arguably at fault, at least in part, for all 5 of the last 5 goals. Moore says he has “2 number 1 goalkeepers” but Amos hasn’t played a minute in the league. If he’s just going to sit on the bench all season we might as well have kept Leutweiler (?) for a fraction of the price. Money for nothing again. 

Edited December 30, 20241 yr by 1