1st Matches of 2021-22 Season: 7th August 2021

[leedsvaliant]

Thought Vale were pretty shite today. Didn’t really seem to have an idea going forward, everything was pretty slow and there wasn’t much penetration from them.
Not sure what the keeper was doing for the red, absolutely screaming out of his area, but a comfortable win in the end

I think this was our concern before the season started. We've got no real pace or x factor, so if we go a goal down we're going to struggle.

I suspect we'll grind out a few 1-0s but it ain't going to be pretty.

I agree. I don't like keepers who think they are part of the outfield. Just be boring and boot it out of play if necessary.

It's a shame because for the 1st 15 minutes I thought we were all over you and a goal was coming. It went downhill from there!

Long way to go yet though but we need a couple of pacy signings I think.

 

[AdamStag]

I thought today a point was fair, though the mansfield crowd got increasingly frustrated with the play acting of rovers which at times bordered the embarrassing.

I thought rovers were more than fair for a point but their approach eventually caught up on them with a senseless red card and then a daft shirt tug on hawkins which wasn’t necessary for the penalty.

i was impressed with their play and the goal was magical one for the weekend. More than a match for mansfield.

 

[valefan16]

I think this was our concern before the season started. We've got no real pace or x factor, so if we go a goal down we're going to struggle.

I suspect we'll grind out a few 1-0s but it ain't going to be pretty.

I agree. I don't like keepers who think they are part of the outfield. Just be boring and boot it out of play if necessary.

It's a shame because for the 1st 15 minutes I thought we were all over you and a goal was coming. It went downhill from there!

Long way to go yet though but we need a couple of pacy signings I think.

We got drawn into a long ball game after battering them for 15 minutes, once the goal went in we lost the momentum and kept lumping it to Rodney. Pointless having all that quality in midfield that we now have if the ball is 30 metres above it.

A few concerns after that but hopefully just need to gel.

Can’t really complain about the red, I guess you could say he was far enough away maybe to have been yellow (that’s how far he came out!) but referees when it’s a keeper tend to brandish the red so can’t really complain.

What is it with South American keepers struggling to not try and dribble past players!

Could do with getting that fourth striker in though as Rodney didn’t look fit and was kicked all over the place today so lose him and we are stuck.

 

[Moomin]

A really entertaining 0-0 at SJP today. Firstly, it was so good to see fans back and the atmosphere was excellent. Bradford fans travelled really well, too.

First half Bradford were better. I thought that Lee Angol looked a real threat and moved well with the ball. That save from Dawson at the end of the first half was top drawer, so I was pleased to go in at 0-0.

Second half, we improved and got into some excellent crossing positions but the final delivery wasn’t always the best. Tim Dieng had a decent shot saved but how Atangana missed from about 1 yard with no one to beat us beyond me!! It was a shame as he played well.

Overall a draw was totally fair and I think Bradford looked ready for a top 3 push. They moved the ball really well, particularly in the first half. We looked good at times but our bench was very weak, so still work for Taylor to do.

 

[EricSabin]

I think this was our concern before the season started. We've got no real pace or x factor, so if we go a goal down we're going to struggle.

I suspect we'll grind out a few 1-0s but it ain't going to be pretty.

I agree. I don't like keepers who think they are part of the outfield. Just be boring and boot it out of play if necessary.

It's a shame because for the 1st 15 minutes I thought we were all over you and a goal was coming. It went downhill from there!

Long way to go yet though but we need a couple of pacy signings I think.

Yeah agreed that you came flying out the traps and had us under pressure but once we weathered that storm I thought we were the better side

Must say i met some sound Vale fans both in town and at the pub before the game. Hope they have a good season.

 

[Casey]

A bit concerned when I saw our line up today. Shit happens and two of our three forwards out injured but Nadesan on his own up front was never going to work. Think I would have got Sam Ashford on up front. Said to be a deep lying forward but he does get into the box.

Well done Hartlepool. Good luck for the rest of the season.

Casey

 

[E10rifle]

Pleased with a point. Will wait for The Terminator to post a full report, but seemed like we had the better of the first half, whilst Nerdford controlled the second. Shit sub-2,000 crowd.

 

[Huntsman94]

I thought both Tranmere and Walsall were solid sides tbh. Both have obvious threats whilst being solid enough at the back. Can see both being there or there abouts come the end of the season.

As has already been determined it was never a red. Merrie played really well I thought. Overall a great day out. Walsall absolutely battered us at home last season so that’s 3 points up from a year ago. Onwards to Oldham in the cup!

 

[saddler78]

I thought both Tranmere and Walsall were solid sides tbh. Both have obvious threats whilst being solid enough at the back. Can see both being there or there abouts come the end of the season.

As has already been determined it was never a red. Merrie played really well I thought. Overall a great day out. Walsall absolutely battered us at home last season so that’s 3 points up from a year ago. Onwards to Oldham in the cup!

Agree it wasnt a red for me either.

 

[kieran_vale]

We got drawn into a long ball game after battering them for 15 minutes, once the goal went in we lost the momentum and kept lumping it to Rodney. Pointless having all that quality in midfield that we now have if the ball is 30 metres above it.

A few concerns after that but hopefully just need to gel.

Can’t really complain about the red, I guess you could say he was far enough away maybe to have been yellow (that’s how far he came out!) but referees when it’s a keeper tend to brandish the red so can’t really complain.

What is it with South American keepers struggling to not try and dribble past players!

Could do with getting that fourth striker in though as Rodney didn’t look fit and was kicked all over the place today so lose him and we are stuck.

One thing we will need to think about (and I’m not saying right now) is whether Rodney and Wilson can work as a front pairing or it’s a case of get Proctor on do the ugly stuff and let one or the other work off him. Both have a lot of talent and hopefully they make it work but I’m personally not seeing how they complement each other so far.

 

[Casey]

Another reasoned, articulate response from John Yems on YouTube.

I must admit I do like them.

Casey

 

[Chief Rocka]

Another reasoned, articulate response from John Yems on YouTube.

I must admit I do like them.

Casey

That poor media guy having to try and do his job and that's what he gets back, a minute and a half of petulance.

 

[kieran_vale]

Another reasoned, articulate response from John Yems on YouTube.

I must admit I do like them.

Casey

Just gave that a quick watch. He gives the best post match interviews bar none. DC can be a bit abrasive at times but he’s nowt on Yems.

 

[Big Bird]

Wish i was there today but can't wait for Carlisle at home next week. Imagine the home crowd will make some noise. Great positivity around the place again.

Seems we played quite well today. Can't fault the start.

 

[Conker]

I thought today a point was fair, though the mansfield crowd got increasingly frustrated with the play acting of rovers which at times bordered the embarrassing.

I thought rovers were more than fair for a point but their approach eventually caught up on them with a senseless red card and then a daft shirt tug on hawkins which wasn’t necessary for the penalty.

i was impressed with their play and the goal was magical one for the weekend. More than a match for mansfield.

Disagree, we didn’t dominate but were clearly the better team throughout, had two solid chances to win the game before the penalty too.

Nice to get a win to start the season, think it’s fair to say both sides should only get better.

 

[Robshep]

Do they still do that? I remember the season it was introduced but haven't seen a retrospective ban applied in a couple years now.

Never heard of it being rescinded but they probably keep it under wraps tpo prevent half of the PL players being out at some point.
When Callum McManaman was booked for diving most of us in the Johnny King Stand agreed with it. All cheating is wrong.
Labadie had a few of his screaming episodes.

 

[Robshep]

I thought it was a decent game at Prenton Park today. Walsall looked a reasonable side and had plenty of possession, but were lacking in the final third; our centre halves were excellent and Joe Murphy did not really have a save to make.

I thought our extra quality and experience just about made the difference in the end, as epitomised by the winning goal, which was a great move finished by MacManaman.

Walsall look like team with plenty of pace.

 

[valefan16]

One thing we will need to think about (and I’m not saying right now) is whether Rodney and Wilson can work as a front pairing or it’s a case of get Proctor on do the ugly stuff and let one or the other work off him. Both have a lot of talent and hopefully they make it work but I’m personally not seeing how they complement each other so far.

Have to be honest I’ve always preferred Rodders out wide cutting in and unleashing a strike to get best use of his pace. Once he moved there the Cobblers defenders just had to hack at him as he was too pacey for them.

Even last season he didn’t really do much in the striker role compared to coming in from out wide.

3-5-2 just didn’t work today either, it was great last season when we went on the nuts run with it but different players this season, only way I can see that working is with Benning and Gibbons fit and starting at wing back. Wozza isn’t a RWB and kills his main quality

 

[Robshep]

Tranmere and Walsall both fairly average. They scored from the same kind of attack that we had created three times in the second half but wasn’t able to capitalise from. Just that spark of quality was the difference.

Great noise from us I felt, even after being a goal down.

How many debutants did Walsall have today. We had 7 and its not going to click into place straight away for either side.

 

[RLC]

Walsall look like team with plenty of pace.

Yes, both the wide men caused us problems, particularly in the first half.

I think their problem was that Wilkinson was playing as a lone striker. He is a really good player but does not seem suited to that role. As a result, they did not create much despite some good approach play.

 

[Andy Proctor]

Ww got nothing from the game and that's what we deserved. Northampton looked OK but didn't have to do much to beat our piss poor side. Covolan is a liability I fine him and transfer list him its unexucasble to be sent off 2 games in a row. Johnson was shocking at the back aswell. We did too much sideways passing lack wingers or exciting players that will run at you and create barely anything. I know it's only 1 game but we looked so poor that I'd say we're more likely to be in the bottom 6 than the top 6. At the end of the day if you can't keep clean sheets, don't create much and can't score enough goals then your going struggle. From what I've seen of vale in this games and the friendlies we don't look like we have anything to hurt an oppositions team. Only decent part of the game was when vale fans sang there's only one Lee collins and it drew a round of applause from some of the Northampton fans. At least we won't have any drunken knob fans at our next few away games stevenage and forest green hate it when we take over 1000 as too many pricks go then.

 

[Robshep]

Just gave that a quick watch. He gives the best post match interviews bar none. DC can be a bit abrasive at times but he’s nowt on Yems.

Honest but moody.

 

[kieran_vale]

Have to be honest I’ve always preferred Rodders out wide cutting in and unleashing a strike to get best use of his pace. Once he moved there the Cobblers defenders just had to hack at him as he was too pacey for them.

Even last season he didn’t really do much in the striker role compared to coming in from out wide.

3-5-2 just didn’t work today either, it was great last season when we went on the nuts run with it but different players this season, only way I can see that working is with Benning and Gibbons fit and starting at wing back. Wozza isn’t a RWB and kills his main quality

Have to agree about the 3–5-2. It’s not that Worrall is bad there as he can do a job but when you have someone who is so good creatively it’s wasting him at RWB. He is at his best getting to the byline and then getting the ball over whereas now he is coming from deep all the time and it’s not as difficult to defend. The other thing dare I say is he’s now over 30 and it’s asking a lot of him to play what is a very physically demanding position.

This is why I liked the 4-2-3-1. Maybe once Gibbo is back we can switch to it.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Well we defended well and restricted Bradford to very few chances. Really impressed with Dawson and Sweeney had an excellent game.
But marred by Atangana missing an incredible sitter at the end.
Very frustrated at that. With a bit more creativity we could cause teams problems though

Definitely more optimistic than I was at 3pm. A few injuries and we are truly fecked though. Imagine Nombe being injured.

 

[hellogregory]

Wish i was there today but can't wait for Carlisle at home next week. Imagine the home crowd will make some noise. Great positivity around the place again.

Seems we played quite well today. Can't fault the start.

Skybet have you as underdogs for that game next weekend. If I were you I’d lump on your team. I’m certainly going to.

 

[GTFCfish]

There will be a tense 15 minutes as we get closer to the answer of the question on everyone's mind: Who's starting the relegation thread this year?

It’s not called the relegation thread this year it’s called the ‘Who’s going down with Scunthorpe’ thread.

 

[leedsvaliant]

splash the cash on a proven CF and we could cause some real problems
for teams.
3 or 4 nil would not of flattered us.

Ground bouncing before and during the match.

Is this talking about Northampton? You maybe could have scored one more against 10 men but I wouldn't say you looked like running away with it. I think you looked well organised but not overly creative. I'd imagine you'll do well at home by replicating today's performance. Get a goal and then see it out well.

Much like us I think there will be more 1-0s than 3-3s.

 

[Stringy]

Disagree, we didn’t dominate but were clearly the better team throughout, had two solid chances to win the game before the penalty too.

Agree with Adam on the daft Rovers' discipline but in agreement with you here. If we didn't get the win I'd have thought two points lost albeit a close game.

 

[GTFCfish]

FOR SALE:

Large Port Vale flag with ‘HMS piss the league‘ emblazoned on it.

For more details please contact Dan Phillips.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Is this talking about Northampton? You maybe could have scored one more against 10 men but I wouldn't say you looked like running away with it. I think you looked well organised but not overly creative. I'd imagine you'll do well at home by replicating today's performance. Get a goal and then see it out well.

Much like us I think there will be more 1-0s than 3-3s.

He's a Pools fan on about our game today.