46 minutes ago, JoeB2 said:

But the players picked are significantly worse than the players they replaced - and they were picked through choice.

The drop from Clark, Tolaj, Walters, and Croasdale to Sang (at RWB), Hackford, Harper, and an unfit Garrity is a chasm. There's a division's worth of quality between them.

It's not rocket science. We played badly when 40% of the outfielders were not good and better when they were replaced for good players. Good players also make the rest of the team better. Messi would have struggled in that side tonight.

Even this is only part of the story, as we've seen on countless occasions.  A significant aspect throughout the season, has been the cagey, over cautious way that Moore starts games, which has dictated his reactionary, rather than a proactive style (and I use the word style, loosely) of play.

Some may defend him by citing our league position, but I reckon that most teams would love to have a Stockley, Byers and Garrity in their side, with the added resources that we have, for a league 2 team. 

Any team can look better, if they're chasing the game in later stages, especially at home, however, we've been subjected to this uninspiring dross all season, characterised by aimless flick ons and a reluctance,  if not inability to play any sustainable attempt, through our, supposedly peerless midfield. 

Unfortunately, we all know that his vision of the game isn't going to change and that is the depressing reality of what we have to look forward to, under Moore's tenure, as manager of Port Vale. 

Another point I suggest Deborah watches Sam Foley at right back watch how quickly he moved into the space and didn't just hopefully lump it up not bad for a 39 year old.

First half was as bad as ive seen all season. It was an utter garbage selection and set up. Ive always believed that in a promotion run in, with 9 games left that you have to play your best team. The next game is the most important one, and not to look ahead 2/3 games. 

  Barrow played the lad up front alone, so i would've liked a back three of sang, smith and hall. sang and hall to carry the ball out with clarke and john in front of them. We did not need Jesse for that game tonight at all. Stockley and Tolaj have to play as a pair down the middle. 

That half killed us as the second half was a good performance the ball just wouldnt go in. We played much quicker and got the ball forward and quick which caused them a lot of problems. Im annoyed at Moore again as hes costing us wins in this race for promotion. 

It piles the pressure on now to go and get something at Crewe and against Bradford. We have to get 6 points in the next two games to have a chance now.

i thought Rhys Walters was superb also when he came on. 

Tuesday night curse continues at home, lets hope it ends against bradford city. Also midweek games arent greatly attended but i thought the crowd was very disappointing considering a win wouldve moved us up into 3rd place.

7 hours ago, philpvfc said:

No….the table suggests play offs. 

Which is a chance of promotion yeah? 

5 hours ago, Phantom Lord said:

If we don't go up this season I strongly believe that we won't next either. The combination of Moore and the fact that I can't see there being another league as weak as this one makes me think that we had better make ourselves comfy if we aren't in Div 1 next year

If we don’t go up this season i strongly believe Moore will be gone.

5 hours ago, MBE said:

The top 8 must be having a right laugh at us tonight.

The same top 8 that are just as inconsistent as us right now & also dropping crucial points of late. 

7 hours ago, fraggle said:

A real joke of a performance tonight, Moore totally messed that up, you can’t turn up for 45 mins at 1 nil down, for the 2nd game in a row, he’s made the team play with that same mentality 

He does it all the time. It’d be eye opening to go back and tally up how many games the same thing has occurred, crap first halves with the wrong side and tactics necessitating massive 2nd half changes.

Moore Moore Moore

How do you erm it how do you erm it 

Moore Moore Moore 

At what point does this rotation/load management pay off?

We’re rotated all season on the basis that it’ll pay off when the players are fresh in the final push.

We’re at that final push and still making 4 changes after back to back wins.

I'm not particularly Moore in or Moore out. I think he's doing well, both the league table and our unbeaten run in 2025 suggest that. However, given the money he's been allowed to spend and squad (or best XI anyway) he's got at his disposal he should be doing well in this league.

His style of football is cautious, but so far this season, it's working. 4th in the league level on points with 3rd with 8 games to go is a great spot to be in. I can live with cautious football that gets us up (if it does). 

That being said, last night was completely his fault. If the team that started the second half started the game, I honestly think we win at least 2-0. We blew them away second half and on a different night a few of those chances that hit the woodwork go in and we are all coming away happy.

I suggest he was guilty of thinking last night was a gimme compared to the tough tests ahead. I'd like to see us switch back to the formation that has seen us have the most success this year, three in the middle and two up front. We look infinitely better with Gaz, Walter and Croas in the middle. 

What it does highlight to me is the fact that the squad is paper thin below the best 14-15 players. In any game where we need to play some combination Harper, Hackford, Jerry, Hart, Hen, Lowe or Amos and we go from promotion contenders to league 2 also rans. We better hope everyone decent can stay fit for the next 8 games. 

Edited March 26, 20251 yr by Walka003

I wonder if there is a single person on here that would have gone with that starting 11. And I also wonder if there is a single person on here that is surprised by the result of playing that starting 11.

An absolutely mind boggling selection for a home game and last night's result is all on Moore. What on earth was he thinking that team would give him (other than defeat)?

Opportunity lost through our own poor decision making.

I've been critical of Moore's defensive approach for quite some time. I just don't think the fans connect with him. 4th in the league and most would swap him in a heartbeat.

Again, another team selection that looked like he'd drawn names from a hat.

After the first half, I thought "here we go again, exactly the same type of performance we're used to seeing".

But 2nd half, to hit the woodwork 4 times is just downright bad luck. On another day we'd have turned that round.

Darren - please stop trying to overcomplicate football - pick your best players and get after teams.

Approaching every single game looking like we're terrified of what the opposition can do to us is just criminal on our budget.

how far the standard of the football and players at this club has fallen since 2000. that first half was a disgrace.

What’s happened to Curtis recently?? Ok, scored a screamer but prior to that and for the time he was one yesterday he was absolutely dreadful. He seemed to be at his best when he played up front.

Well had nightmares last night. WTF was that performance first half ? I really struggle to remember a performance as bad as that. I hope this result is a real kick up the ass because we need it. That was totally unacceptable! I sincerely hope for the appropriate response or our season is going to be quickly over.

Mooreball boreball yet again. This result and performance is entirely on Moore. That starting lineup was a disgrace. If by some miracle we do go up it will be despite Moore, not because of him.

Utter garbage like just about every other match this season. 

Moore out.