11 minutes ago, DazFred said:

Fair play to the fans who kept going all second half

Their fans were looking at their phones most of the second half

Got to say their support was poor. We kept going all game. 

On the way back. Haven’t read the thread yet so just some initial thoughts. I’ll preface this by saying I’ve not seen any pre season games bar Newcastle town, so it was my first time seeing most of the new players.

I said when we extended Debrah’s deal that if he’s one of our starters we are asking to be relegated, since he was diabolical last time we were in league 1, and also struggled in multiple games last year. Most disagreed with me. Today just further supported my thoughts. He was dogshit first half. Dreadful for the first goal. He cannot be a starter.

Humphries looks decent on the ball but I don’t think he’s good enough in the air to play in the middle. I’d move him into debrah’s spot and play someone else in the middle. Personally I think Heneghan in the centre is better than Debrah, so I’d do this, but it shows to me we need another good centre half.

I saw most people complaining before the game that we were playing 3-4-3, with Tolaj on the wing, and I was also not happy. And surprise surprise, it was <ovf censored> awful. Tolaj completely wasted, midfield overrun, Stockley isolated. Play 3-5-2 for the love of god.

Wasn’t overly impressed with Shipley either. Croasdale was far better when came on.

Same applies to Waine. Curtis was miles clear.

The blame today for me ultimately lies on moore. He got it totally wrong and we started with what in my opinion, is clearly not our best team. Cardiff we have to play 3-5-2, with Tolaj up front. Midfield of Walters, Byers, croasdale. 

We were unlucky not to come away with a point, and we showed good fight to almost come back having played so long with 10 men. If we’d started with the right team we could’ve won that for me.

Also a note on our support. Second half I thought we were phenomenal. Seemed almost like we were going to pull the ball into the net. Reminded me of Carlisle away. I really felt like we were gonna do it, and we came so close with Tolaj hitting the bar at the end. Shame we couldn’t do it.

6 minutes ago, philmpv said:

Very proud of the way we reacted to adversity in the second half. Lessons to take from that I think are:

1. Regardless of the formation, we need a Croasdale or Walters style grafter in there.

2. We simply cannot just expect to turn up.

3. GK and defenders need to work on their communication.

Encouraging overall and I think we'll beat Cardiff

We didn't just turn up and expect to win the formation Moore chose made it look that way.

10 minutes ago, philmpv said:

Very proud of the way we reacted to adversity in the second half. Lessons to take from that I think are:

1. Regardless of the formation, we need a Croasdale or Walters style grafter in there.

2. We simply cannot just expect to turn up.

3. GK and defenders need to work on their communication.

Encouraging overall and I think we'll beat Cardiff

Regardless of formation? It doesn't matter which 2 centre mids you play, if they are up against 3 they will get overrun.

3 minutes ago, Stockleys_socks said:

Regardless of formation? It doesn't matter which 2 centre mids you play, if they are up against 3 they will get overrun.

Whilst absolutely true, it can also be true to say that if you are going to play this way, the choice to leave Walters and croasdale out makes it even more ridiculous. The more I think about it the more crazy that starting line up appears. 

DM got it wrong formation wise,how does he not realise Tolaj has to play up top in a 3-5-2,Waine missed a sitter with the header.2nd half we battered them without the rewards,i'll be happy with a season without relegation flirtation but the manager has to play to our strengths

1 hour ago, Guppys left peg said:

Yeah I don’t want to hear any more “Croasdale is only a L2 midfielder”. He was a major reason we switched the momentum in the game.

Croasdale is only a L2 midfielder.

1 hour ago, Alan Vit said:

On calmer reflection, my over-riding feeling is of being encouraged by the performance overall.

Of course there is a much tougher test coming on Thursday, against one of the promotion favourites, and we'll gain a clear impression of how EFL1-ready we actually are.

You should still feel confident with your bet.

24 minutes ago, Biddulph_PV said:

Nope, I think there’s a lot of us with those same thoughts. If it was a rookie manager you’d put it down as very naive going away on the opening day in a higher league with two not-exactly-mobile CM’s. But he’s been round the block and aside from the mind-numbing performances last year when we tried it (think Walsall and home) should have known that we’d struggle in midfield.

Yep, been said for donkey's years that games are won & lost in midfield and today was a classic example.

A problem with 3-4-3 when you're getting overrun in midfield is that its tough to get quality ball to the front 3 and we saw today that Vale resulted mostly to long hopeful balls which Roveram dealt with easily and won possession of the ball back.  The 3 Vale forwards were fighting for scraps 'til the shape change and in effect were on the periphery of the game.

The game changed when DM changed the shape although he didn't say so in his post match interview.

Who am I to suggest DM didn't get the tactics right from the start but it was clear to see as the game progressed and the subs/shape change was made.

Real positives for me although it is just one game is that Tolaj and Croasdale looked very comfortable at this level and Tolaj looked a real handful.

So once again Moore displays his bewildering choice of team and tactics, with the inevitable result. 

39 minutes ago, VantaaVale said:

A little concerned that DM doesn't think the starting formation was wrong

Well if we get it again on Thursday it will be footballing suicide

Unlucky guys you deserved a point for your second half alone, good exciting season opener & christ you fans were loud. Good luck for the rest of the season.

Think Vale will be just fine.

We have great character amongst the squad 

2nd half today very impressive deserved a lot more than got 

Croasdale Curtis and Ojo impressive along with Tolaj in fact what i saw second half it was a ridiculous scoreline in the end we kept coming there was a lot be proud of .

Great encouragement from Vale support and im buzzing for Cardiff .

Not going criticise too much 

Early days 

Vale will do very well once players connect 

UTV

 

 

Edited August 2, 2025Aug 2 by Dipepa delight

19 minutes ago, Paul6754 said:

Croasdale looked very comfortable at this level

Yet it's hard to believe that he's spent most of his career playing the National League North/National League and is a player massively underrated IMO. A true professional. 

Edited August 2, 2025Aug 2 by ValiantHan