Boxing Day: - 26th December

[Grimsby Road]

Harrogate haven't got that Odoh anymore who seemed to terrorise us so I'm more confident of a win than last season - another home defeat incoming

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Walsall away, home win banker.

 

[lordofthepies]

Where's Whadden Road?

Oops, sorry! I'll blame that one on typing just before I went to sleep

 

[valefan16]

Not the ideal fixture when in need of a win going to Bradford despite us having a great recent record at Valley Parade with 2 defeats in 11 visits.

Key Players injured, other key players out of form and we've lost our way, 1 win in 7 despite only 2 defeats in 17 is a quirk but draws are seeing us just trundle along.

We have a great away record, best in the division and will need to improve to keep that going here, we will come to avoid conceding firstly and look to nick a Darren Moore 1-0 I expect, which had been working a treat but we've not been scoring or creating lately and the issue with this game is Bradford unlike most of our opponents have a striker capable of not letting us off the hook when we concede chances so I fancy a dire, dull 1-0 defeat in this one.

Harper appeared to limp off Saturday so may only have 1 fit midfielder (Croasdale) who looks knackered at the minute unless George Byers is finally fit enough to play in which case then we improve massively.

We also have a crisis at full/wing back again with Hart injured within 2 games of return, Clark no where to be seen since the Vertu Trophy win after his neck break, John injured again after 2 games of return and may have to rely on 17 year old Jack Shorrock who was awful at the weekend.

Can't wait! Need to scrape through until Garrity is back in a week or two and hope we go for it in January and are still in a position to keep our top 3 spot at that point it feels.

 

[LS Bantam]

Going up against us in poor form is meaningless given how we’re unable to ever take advantage of such things but it’s slightly better reading a pessimistic opponents view even though it’s all but certain I’ll read ‘Vale turn tide on poor form/best performance in ages’ on Boxing Day night.
Wins for us at the minute are ‘down to luck/poor opponents’, apparently where as losses are entirely our fault and the desperation to pin things on Alexander is causing me to lose interest in all things club related, something which all stems back to the rudderless crippling running of the club that ultimately mean any changes below squad/management wise is just a huge waste of time, cost and effort - everything feels overbearingly ‘what’s the point in any of it?’.
The one thing I am looking forward to is the return of Darren Moore and Wayne Jacobs (10th highest appearances in our history), half our back four that were promoted to the Premiership. Jacobs at Vale Park gives me a flash back as a kid to a game on Sky 1-1 maybe on a Sunday dinner time when he stuck a free kick in the top corner I want to say, ‘96/97.
On to this match, it’s fair to say worry about Andy Cook but he gets so little service we deal with you not having to worry about him ourselves. We built a team big on number 10’s in the summer but we’re yet to see them working as a unit and only Alex Pattison carries any threat but he could well still be suspended I think which at least makes a change from the rest of the time when he’s out injured.
A game we’re turning up to as fans expecting absolutely nothing, a scrappy draw at absolute best but we’re neither solid enough in defence or creative enough going forward to sway the game in our favour, 0-2 feels about right.

 

[Coalite]

Chesterfield team picks itself as basically the only lads who aren’t injured.

Hobson in for Colclough, Drummond in for Grigg from Saturday if both are injured. Can we name a full bench? I don’t think we can.

We are going to need some short term reinforcements in the new year.

 

[valefan16]

Going up against us in poor form is meaningless given how we’re unable to ever take advantage of such things but it’s slightly better reading a pessimistic opponents view even though it’s all but certain I’ll read ‘Vale turn tide on poor form/best performance in ages’ on Boxing Day night.
Wins for us at the minute are ‘down to luck/poor opponents’, apparently where as losses are entirely our fault and the desperation to pin things on Alexander is causing me to lose interest in all things club related, something which all stems back to the rudderless crippling running of the club that ultimately mean any changes below squad/management wise is just a huge waste of time, cost and effort - everything feels overbearingly ‘what’s the point in any of it?’.
The one thing I am looking forward to is the return of Darren Moore and Wayne Jacobs (10th highest appearances in our history), half our back four that were promoted to the Premiership. Jacobs at Vale Park gives me a flash back as a kid to a game on Sky 1-1 maybe on a Sunday dinner time when he stuck a free kick in the top corner I want to say, ‘96/97.
On to this match, it’s fair to say worry about Andy Cook but he gets so little service we deal with you not having to worry about him ourselves. We built a team big on number 10’s in the summer but we’re yet to see them working as a unit and only Alex Pattison carries any threat but he could well still be suspended I think which at least makes a change from the rest of the time when he’s out injured.
A game we’re turning up to as fans expecting absolutely nothing, a scrappy draw at absolute best but we’re neither solid enough in defence or creative enough going forward to sway the game in our favour, 0-2 feels about right.

Jacobs seems the most happiest man, he was interviewed in Pre Season after and awful defeat at Bath and he was buzzing! Imagine he is great in the dressing room to be fair!

We are similar, Stockley is out of form but getting little service and have loads of number 10's but none or in form or we for some reason shoe horn a striker in there like we did Saturday with Paton and Tolaj despite having Curtis on the bench, Chislett is out of form and Rico Richards is either unplayable or terrible and not much in between (seems more unplayable as a sub).

We have about 20-25k a week of talent in the treatment room and have had for months and fans are pretty cheesed off, granted it does seem like "1st world problems" as the Carlisle press saw it considering our position and 2 losses in 17 league games but the expectation has been built by the spending.

It will be a dire watch either way as we are boring and when its working (Notts/MK/Harrogate/Saford etc) its great... but when its not, especially at home like Saturday its a tedious 90 minutes. Travelled up to Burslem Saturday, left at 11:30 got home at 7pm and spent 90 minutes just sat bored again, bar 10 minutes after half time we didn't have a go against bottom of the league who had half their team out ill and it was thoroughly mind numbing.

Only bonus is if we do drop off like last Season we have more than enough points to ensure we don't drop this time out the league!

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I know we're built on a good defence and unbeaten in 12 but feel like a positive spin is needed on the "too many draws" angle.

3 of those came against the Top 3 although we led in 2 of those games. 1 came in horrific and abnormal conditions vs Bradford. 1 came against a side who haven't conceded in over 10 hours of football. The other two, now they came against Salford and Carlisle sides where we were pretty poor in both games and could easily have lost both.

We've also been light on available strikers for the entire run. Bogle in and out of the team with a recurring injury. Long missed most games through injury, illness and suspension. The last league game we lost was when Hemmings was injured too. A lot of teams would plummet down the league with those problems even with an above average defence. Thankfully, our defence is the best in the division and has bailed us out and even got us to nick a few wins along the way too.

The attack needs to improve absolutely and the Colchester performance was turgid on our part. But with bodies coming back up top we're in a strong position to score a few more and have more dominant displays like we did in the Autumn vs Gillingham, Harrogate and Tranmere.

I think Boxing Day will go like the Grimsby game did and we'll catch Cheltenham on the break a couple of times and control the game in a 2-0 win. Bell sets us up brilliantly away. He just needs to show more ambition and less restraint at home. But I'm sure he will when all our forwards are fully fit.

 

[lordofthepies]

I know we're built on a good defence and unbeaten in 12 but feel like a positive spin is needed on the "too many draws" angle.

3 of those came against the Top 3 although we led in 2 of those games. 1 came in horrific and abnormal conditions vs Bradford. 1 came against a side who haven't conceded in over 10 hours of football. The other two, now they came against Salford and Carlisle sides where we were pretty poor in both games and could easily have lost both.

We've also been light on available strikers for the entire run. Bogle in and out of the team with a recurring injury. Long missed most games through injury, illness and suspension. The last league game we lost was when Hemmings was injured too. A lot of teams would plummet down the league with those problems even with an above average defence. Thankfully, our defence is the best in the division and has bailed us out and even got us to nick a few wins along the way too.

The attack needs to improve absolutely and the Colchester performance was turgid on our part. But with bodies coming back up top we're in a strong position to score a few more and have more dominant displays like we did in the Autumn vs Gillingham, Harrogate and Tranmere.

I think Boxing Day will go like the Grimsby game did and we'll catch Cheltenham on the break a couple of times and control the game in a 2-0 win. Bell sets us up brilliantly away. He just needs to show more ambition and less restraint at home. But I'm sure he will when all our forwards are fully fit.

Absolutely spot on, I don't even think we're that negative at home, I just think the Bradford and Colchester games were below par performances, added to awful conditions against Bradford and decent opponents in Colchester. The one argument you could probably make is that we could abandon the 3 centre back's at home but it's served us so well this season and the wing-backs have been crucial attacking players, although Colchester did a really good job of pinning the wing backs back so it'll be good to have an alternative plan.

 

[Si Robin]

I wouldn't expect to try and catch us on the break - we set up at home as we do away, and this is in an attempt to catch the opposition on the break whilst soaking up pressure (look at our possession stats for the season).

I think Boxing Day could turn in to quite a dour game - neither team being adventurous and both being cagey.

I think we have enough to win, but I suspect it'll be a draw.

 

[loz]

Jacobs seems the most happiest man, he was interviewed in Pre Season after and awful defeat at Bath and he was buzzing! Imagine he is great in the dressing room to be fair!

We are similar, Stockley is out of form but getting little service and have loads of number 10's but none or in form or we for some reason shoe horn a striker in there like we did Saturday with Paton and Tolaj despite having Curtis on the bench, Chislett is out of form and Rico Richards is either unplayable or terrible and not much in between (seems more unplayable as a sub).

We have about 20-25k a week of talent in the treatment room and have had for months and fans are pretty cheesed off, granted it does seem like "1st world problems" as the Carlisle press saw it considering our position and 2 losses in 17 league games but the expectation has been built by the spending.

It will be a dire watch either way as we are boring and when its working (Notts/MK/Harrogate/Saford etc) its great... but when its not, especially at home like Saturday its a tedious 90 minutes. Travelled up to Burslem Saturday, left at 11:30 got home at 7pm and spent 90 minutes just sat bored again, bar 10 minutes after half time we didn't have a go against bottom of the league who had half their team out ill and it was thoroughly mind numbing.

Only bonus is if we do drop off like last Season we have more than enough points to ensure we don't drop this time out the league!

Don't know what your midfield is like but ours makes a road sweeper look like a Ferrari

 

[valefan16]

Don't know what your midfield is like but ours makes a road sweeper look like a Ferrari

It barely exists at the moment!

Byers came back from months out to get a knock in a Vertu Cup tie and is 50-50, obviously if fit then its a huge boost as he is one of League Two's best if not the best.

Garrity - Crucial to how we play is injured, dont think he will be back but our form went literally the minute he limped off v AFC Wimbledon

Croasdale has been excellent but is knackered as covering all the other injuries pretty much alone

Harper - not fully up to speed yet and even then limped out late on Saturday

So could be a case of

Croasdale + Chislett who is a number 10 and himself out of form or

Croasdale + Jason Lowe who whilst an ex Premier League player is steady and slow and technically a centre half/right back.

So barring Byers returning in which case its more of a Ferrari its more likely to be a battered old Ford Escort on Boxing Day

 

[Cloudy]

Don’t think we have ever won a League game v Harrogate? This time, things are gonna change ( perhaps)

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

He was never going to say ‘turns out I’m an idiot and everyone else was right all along’ to be fair. He’d be mad to change it back.

I

Yeah I know he couldn’t say it out loud, I was just wondering whether he really meant what he actually did say.

He always says about how he puts a big emphasis on changing stuff depending on who we’re playing, he’ll definitely change it around for MK away.

 

[クレイグ]

Wow. Reading all the pessimism from the Port Vale fans has me rethinking my 2-0 loss prediction!

5-0 Vale.

 

[SuperHans]

Fleetwood (a)

Hopefully carry on our good form in this one. Currently on a run of 4 wins from 5, with 3 clean sheets on the bounce in there too. Also looking back at form over the past 10 games, only Walsall have bettered our points return in that time, and with all things considered re. the injury crisis, we can’t have any complaints at that at all!

This will be a tough game though I think, even if they are on such a poor run. Managers just gone so no doubt there will be a reaction from their players, and our inability to freshen things up will make it more difficult than it maybe could have been.

Anyway, predicted XI for me something along the lines of:

Thompson
Sheckleford Naylor Grimes Araujo
Mandeville Banks
Markanday Dobra Berry
Grigg

Boot (GK)
Horton
Cook
Jessop
Hobson
Oldaker
Drummond

God that bench is beginning to look weak… although we are doing well to actually fill it so there is that

Bench isn’t great but first 11 still looks strong. I’d actually started Drummond and save Grigg for Bradford. I’d be tempted to rest Mandy too and stick Hobson or Oldaker in. Otherwise I can see even more injuries on the horizon. Banks is another one who could probably do with a rest.

 

[Optipez]

Yeah I know he couldn’t say it out loud, I was just wondering whether he really meant what he actually did say.

He always says about how he puts a big emphasis on changing stuff depending on who we’re playing, he’ll definitely change it around for MK away.

I think he will too and I think it's a mistake. We haven't enough fit players to shake things up and constantly rotate. Just play your best players in their best positions and try to get a run going. Then worry about burn out in the new year when a few will be back and we'll hopefully sign a couple.

 

[We Are Sailing]

Bench isn’t great but first 11 still looks strong. I’d actually started Drummond and save Grigg for Bradford. I’d be tempted to rest Mandy too and stick Hobson or Oldaker in. Otherwise I can see even more injuries on the horizon. Banks is another one who could probably do with a rest.

They won't get much of a rest either. It's either play 60 minutes or play 30 minutes, as they're the only players we have.

We really are down to bare bones. A likely bench of 2 kids, 2 lads recalled from the national league, a left back who was left out of the squad initially, DJ and a back up keeper.

We'll do well to get 3 points from the next 3 games, with the games being so close together.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Bench isn’t great but first 11 still looks strong. I’d actually started Drummond and save Grigg for Bradford. I’d be tempted to rest Mandy too and stick Hobson or Oldaker in. Otherwise I can see even more injuries on the horizon. Banks is another one who could probably do with a rest.

Personally I don’t think we have the luxury or ability to be ‘resting’ players whilst we’ve got 12 out injured unfortunately. Drummond isn’t L2 level IMO, but can do a job at the end of games. If we start him we’re asking for trouble I think (we may yet be forced to though because Grigg did hobble off against Wimbledon, so fingers crossed that was just a knock). I also think it’s a dangerous game if you start resting players with an eye on the next game anyway, especially considering the quality of player that will be replacing the current XI will be lower, because every single game in this league is tough and I’d expect Fleetwood to be as tough a test as Bradford will be.

I also definitely wouldn’t swap Mandeville for Oldaker in the role that Mandy has been playing. If we’re bringing Oldaker in it would be for Banks (who’s been brilliant recently!) in that deeper role, which I wouldn’t be against if someone needs to be rotated. Mandeville is too important for us at the moment to take out that team.

Basically what I’m saying is, whilst numbers are what they are, I think we’re going to see a settled XI through this period and then see them rotated once we get players back to fitness at the beginning of Jan to give this lot a rest because it’s going to be an unforgiving period of games this

 

[spireite]

Personally I don’t think we have the luxury or ability to be ‘resting’ players whilst we’ve got 12 out injured unfortunately. Drummond isn’t L2 level IMO, but can do a job at the end of games. If we start him we’re asking for trouble I think (we may yet be forced to though because Grigg did hobble off against Wimbledon, so fingers crossed that was just a knock). I also think it’s a dangerous game if you start resting players with an eye on the next game anyway, especially considering the quality of player that will be replacing the current XI will be lower, because every single game in this league is tough and I’d expect Fleetwood to be as tough a test as Bradford will be.

I also definitely wouldn’t swap Mandeville for Oldaker in the role that Mandy has been playing. If we’re bringing Oldaker in it would be for Banks (who’s been brilliant recently!) in that deeper role, which I wouldn’t be against if someone needs to be rotated. Mandeville is too important for us at the moment to take out that team.

Basically what I’m saying is, whilst numbers are what they are, I think we’re going to see a settled XI through this period and then see them rotated once we get players back to fitness at the beginning of Jan to give this lot a rest because it’s going to be an unforgiving period of games this

Agree with all this. We seem to be in more of a 4-1-4-1 right now too, Mandeville quite advanced, kind of forced into it with Oldakers red, but it seems to be working, Oldaker isn't suited in the role Mandy is doing though. I think Hobson could possibly, but it seems unwise to change things to much right now unless forced to. Drummond definitely not up to it. It would be lovely to be able to rotate don't get me wrong.

 

[Bianconeri 1862]

I think he will too and I think it's a mistake. We haven't enough fit players to shake things up and constantly rotate. Just play your best players in their best positions and try to get a run going. Then worry about burn out in the new year when a few will be back and we'll hopefully sign a couple.

He'll think he's got his mojo back and tinker away , I'd be very surprised and delighted if he keeps the same side, formation as Saturday

 

[RavenBish]

There’s no chance he makes changes mainly because we have no-one he trusts to rotate outside of maybe Gordon and Macari. If the likes of Edwards, Grant and Jones start to come back over the next few weeks, that’s when he’ll get funky again.