Colchester United v Port Vale

[valefan16]

Probably one of the toughest starts we could of asked for as we were schooled by Colchester and their physicality last season twice but will also be a good test to see how the new era begins.

Vale will be hoping to continue their current English record of 15 years unbeaten on the opening day the last loss in 2004 against Walsall but this is arguably their toughest task in that run.

Askey tried two systems against Bury, the 4-3-3 didn’t inspire but Vale were a different animal in the second half with a 4-4-2 and Pope with Cullen up top.

Askey likes the 4-3-3 though so may just make the personnel changes.

Go for a positive 1-1 draw to start the new era Amoo on the break, Senior to get his customary goal against us.

 

[F!RTHY]

0-0 written all over this.

 

[leedsvaliant]

I expect us to get beat against a tough Colchester side. In fact I imagine we might not get many points out of the first few games.

We look a bit more threatening in attack, but lighter in midfield, where I expect Colchester have a few 6 foot plus beasts. If we can find a way to play on the break then we could be successful away from home.

A win would be a welcome bonus but at this stage of the season it doesn't really matter.

 

[Buxton Vale]

A point here would be very welcome. The opening day can throw up some strange results, but I can't see us winning this one. I just hope we don't get smashed.

 

[Andy Proctor]

As long as we arnt sat bottom of the division after this game then I'm happy. Expect to lose 2 nil or 2 1.

 

[Randolph Haggerty]

I’m disappointed for 2 reasons it’s the start of the season, 1, I’m back from holiday, 2, it’s the start of the season.
We never do well here, and despite the mantra of quality over quantity we appear to have just done less quantity.
Time will tell, loss though I reckon.

 

[Buxton Vale]

what a start!! 0-1 Pope 4 minutes

 

[Buxton Vale]

terrible time to concede 1-1 ht

 

[valefan16]

So frustrated to have let that goal in, controlled the game and should of been 2 up inside 8 minutes but a lack of concentration there.

We’ve played some lovely stuff, first 25 minutes we passed Colchester off the park which is promising but need to get back to the level of the first 25 in the second half.

 

[Buxton Vale]

finished 1-1 and happy with a point in a tricky looking opener

 

[valefan16]

finished 1-1 and happy with a point in a tricky looking opener

Decent performance, bossed the first 25, dug deep rest of the first half and the second half was pretty even, not much keeper action although Manny was a whisker from winning it at the death.

We looked jaded late on which is a worry after the talk of this fitness improvement which is where I questioned not giving players 90 minutes in the later friendlies.

Colchester looked very direct, looked much weaker in the midfield without Szmodics where they have usually done us the last season.

Jevani Brown was woeful for them.

10 of the starters where here last season!

Now will be 16 years unbeaten on the opening day of the league!

 

[Randolph Haggerty]

Some record, great point.

 

[SVH]

How was Jevani Brown? I see the Port Vale fan said he was woeful? On his day he's excellent but too inconsistent. Can't believe we got £200k+ for him. How did Amoo play?

 

[Buxton Vale]

How was Jevani Brown? I see the Port Vale fan said he was woeful? On his day he's excellent but too inconsistent. Can't believe we got £200k+ for him. How did Amoo play?

reports say he was good first half, but faded second half

 

[valefan16]

How was Jevani Brown? I see the Port Vale fan said he was woeful? On his day he's excellent but too inconsistent. Can't believe we got £200k+ for him. How did Amoo play?

It’s why he’s league two I guess. Today Brown was awful, Col U had as always monsters in their team and every free kick he scuffed to the first man. He was the man I feared today but had a poor game.

 

[jbet]

Good point which keeps the opening day unbeaten record going.

Sounds like we started off with the right intentions (ie. High press) but couldn't sustain it for the whole 90.

Nice to have the option to take off Pope on 65, gives me hope that we manage him better this season than last.

Looking forward to another tough match next week at home to Northampton.

 

[Andy Proctor]

Happy with a point.

 

[jbet]

Happy with a point.

Get yourself down the park next week, Andy.

 

[dedwardp]

Woeful first 20 minutes and an awful start to give the penalty away so quickly. Vale were neat and tidy on the ball, passed it well and ran the game for that opening period.

Having just scored we didn't really need half-time, we were finally starting to look a bit brighter. Think we looked more likely to win it in the second half, but no real chances of note at either end.

Brown was near enough anonymous and his set-pieces were awful. I like Nouble but he was really poor today, Senior never got into the game and subsequently we lacked anything out wide where we're normally quite strong. Need to move Nouble centrally for Norris and bring in one of the wingers signed over the summer.

 

[valefan16]

Woeful first 20 minutes and an awful start to give the penalty away so quickly. Vale were neat and tidy on the ball, passed it well and ran the game for that opening period.

Having just scored we didn't really need half-time, we were finally starting to look a bit brighter. Think we looked more likely to win it in the second half, but no real chances of note at either end.

Brown was near enough anonymous and his set-pieces were awful. I like Nouble but he was really poor today, Senior never got into the game and subsequently we lacked anything out wide where we're normally quite strong. Need to move Nouble centrally for Norris and bring in one of the wingers signed over the summer.

Nouble was a thorn, he gave Gibbons the run around first half but was poor second half, just lacked that quality delivery.

 

[dedwardp]

Early days, but it's a concern where the goals will come from. Hopefully as we grow into the season Brown will start to slot in a bit better and help on that front.

Vale certainly showed enough to suggest they'll be comfortable this season.

 

[valefan16]

Early days, but it's a concern where the goals will come from. Hopefully as we grow into the season Brown will start to slot in a bit better and help on that front.

Vale certainly showed enough to suggest they'll be comfortable this season.

We actually started with ten of the XI from last season! So was a good barometer of the improvement from the efforts against you last season in terms of fitness and preparation.

Take this as a compliment but after those hidings last season at your hands it’s seen by our fans as an excellent point for us today.

Players like Brown are in league two because they are inconsistent so sure you’ll get some success with players like that.

 

[Andy Proctor]

Get yourself down the park next week, Andy.

I want to go but cant as I'm skint. On reduced hours at work at the moment so ain't got spare cash for anything.