Credit to Harrogate for getting what they came for. Everyone behind the ball and never stopped running. When the onus is on us to break them down we need to have our most creative players on the pitch. Chislett or Richards should have been on from the start in the more advanced position of the midfield 3. DM just doesn't seem bold enough to do it.

9 hours ago, valiant_593 said:

I keep saying this but, how many games this season has everyone come away from and thought that was a good game. We played some good stuff there. And that you actually enjoyed? 
 

Were 35 or so games in and I’m at 2. 

I think you're being generous there 

9 hours ago, SuperHuman said:

He was completely disinterested in that second half. Last two games have been time for him to step up. He hasn’t impressed me since he’s returned from injury.

Still looks injured to me , tbh 

What a frustrating evening as a Vale fan – we never do things the easy way, do we?

It’s becoming clearer that we’re probably heading for the play-offs.

I like Darren Moore. He’s changed this football club over the past 12 months and put together a squad that’s tough to beat – you can see that with only six league defeats, the least in the league. So, you can’t really fault him for that.

But his focus on keeping things tight at the back and trying to nick a goal is going to cost us a top-three finish, as we are drawing a lot of games which we should be winning. Draws at home against teams like Carlisle, Cheltenham, and Harrogate in the last few months just isn’t good enough.

The last two games have been nowhere near the standard needed to push for the top three.

I thought the team selection was wrong last night. The midfield three on Saturday got bullied and didn’t offer enough support to the front two. Byers hasn’t been good enough and looked half-arsed last night. He needs to start earning that big wage. Harper was strolling around like he’s Jude Bellingham, and Croasdale looked like he was running on empty. I would’ve started Rico or Chiz last night, someone who can drive centrally and create more space for the wing-backs, and link the midfield with Tolaj and Curtis. But that didn’t happen, and Tolaj had to drop deep to get the ball, leaving Curtis isolated up top. Shorrock and Hart just aren’t up to scratch, so the sooner Headley’s back, the better.

Thankfully, results went in our favor last night, so the automatics are still possible. But after these last two games, I’ve come to terms with the fact that we’re probably headed for the play-offs.

Now I'm not usually one for conspiracy theories but it looked to me that at half time every one of our players was replaced by their identical twin.

Who has never played football in their life.......

Came out feeling very flat.

 

 

 

9 hours ago, MBE said:

On Byers I think the midfield balance is hurting his game. The amount of times he looks forward for pass and nothing is on so he has to go backwards is criminal

I really can’t believe DM watched that midfield 3 on Saturday and thought it was a good idea to play them together again tonight. 

I conner believe some fans still think Darren Moore is the best thing since sliced bread # Alan Vitt take a bow , son 🤓

Edited March 5, 20251 yr by Nippy Naylor

9 minutes ago, Portvale4 said:

What a frustrating evening as a Vale fan – we never do things the easy way, do we?

It’s becoming clearer that we’re probably heading for the play-offs.

I like Darren Moore. He’s changed this football club over the past 12 months and put together a squad that’s tough to beat – you can see that with only six league defeats, the least in the league. So, you can’t really fault him for that.

But his focus on keeping things tight at the back and trying to nick a goal is going to cost us a top-three finish, as we are drawing a lot of games which we should be winning. Draws at home against teams like Carlisle, Cheltenham, and Harrogate in the last few months just isn’t good enough.

The last two games have been nowhere near the standard needed to push for the top three.

I thought the team selection was wrong last night. The midfield three on Saturday got bullied and didn’t offer enough support to the front two. Byers hasn’t been good enough and looked half-arsed last night. He needs to start earning that big wage. Harper was strolling around like he’s Jude Bellingham, and Croasdale looked like he was running on empty. I would’ve started Rico or Chiz last night, someone who can drive centrally and create more space for the wing-backs, and link the midfield with Tolaj and Curtis. But that didn’t happen, and Tolaj had to drop deep to get the ball, leaving Curtis isolated up top. Shorrock and Hart just aren’t up to scratch, so the sooner Headley’s back, the better.

Thankfully, results went in our favor last night, so the automatics are still possible. But after these last two games, I’ve come to terms with the fact that we’re probably headed for the play-offs.

You say Moores put a squad together that’s tough to beat- is say it’s tough to watch 

1 minute ago, osprey said:

You say Moores put a squad together that’s tough to beat- is say it’s tough to watch 

You can’t deny we’re tough to beat though. We’re unbeaten in 2025 and have only lost six games all season. I get what you’re saying about it being a tough watch, and maybe that’s down to the manager who put the squad together and his lack of attacking intent.

We have got no killer instinct at the club.  No mean streak and there is a lack of winning mentality.  We are at the business end of the season playing a struggling side and we should have the win at any cost mindset...  we are too nice, from top to bottom.

Referees must love doing our games, we don't put them under any pressure whatsoever and just graciously take whatever crap they serve us up.  Moore should have been fined a couple of times this season for some of the decisions we have seen but he just accepts it and that sets the tone.  Great, we are lovely and respectful - it's getting us nowhere.

Other teams must love coming to Vale Park, from the boardroom to the players, we roll out the red carpet and treat them like royalty, we don't even attack them on the pitch with any conviction.  

Too nice.

The last 2 promotions we have seen were built on a siege mentality, a togetherness of us against the world.  We seem more concerned with being everybody's friend.

first half was a good watch imo.

Also, credit where it's due, a much more committed cameo from Gerry, showing there's a bit of quality in there.

Just switch all our home Tuesday games to a Wednesday. It's not rocket science !! 🙃😆

1 hour ago, osprey said:

You say Moores put a squad together that’s tough to beat- is say it’s tough to watch 

Good post.

I’ve calmed down a bit. Now I’m no expert on football, I tend to follow the Billy Connolly school of thought, you pass to you, you pass to him, all move in that direction and when you get bored kick it into the net. Seems to me we don’t have a way to link back to front, Curtis and tolaj are clearly good enough, but the service is awful. Our midfield on paper is clearly good enough, so why’s it not working. It’s got to be the way they are set up?? With 3 CB and 2 WB 1 defensive mid should be enough, that’s 6 primarily defending, surely one CM  and one attacking cm with a bit of guile about him is needed. Surely that man is Chiz. Not sure what I’m missing and if you have to drop a big name the. So be it. 

Chislett gives Vale the drive and purpose he is also a very talented player 

I'm going be Jerry's biggest fan least when he come on second half the hamil hamil woke up a bit like I say he will finish 1 then watch him go .

Because of results no major harm done ,no issues with perspiration when got home as match didn't get the blood flowing at all .

We move on from it after last night think Clark needs be the one back and John be the one who tries take off as Clark did not take off and I personally thought he would do and should do ,headleys the biggest miss .

You have to score goals be in top 7 Harrogate were not second half pressed enough and not enough players stepped up and in the end they could easily have taken the game with thst situation where 2 players get outmanoeuvred in middle and he slid it through and there player unbelievably messed up 

Whether penalty or not I'd have watch it again the Curtis shot it's so Vale not get a decision go in there favour.

 

Edited March 5, 20251 yr by Dipepa delight