MK Dons v Port Vale

[valefan16]

After securing our safety on Friday (well other teams ballsing up more than us securing it) the Valiants head to Stadium MK with the weight of relegation worries evaporated against Auto chasers MK Dons.

MK Dons have been in patchy form of late, whilst the Vales promotion form from March 2nd onwards has stalled in the past two games with the job seemingly done.

Vale head into this strangely with the best defensive record away from home of all the 72 EFL clubs and will be keen to keep at least that stat from a sorry season. (17 against)

MK beat Vale 2-0 at Vale Park in a strange game, Vale losing key Midfielder Manny Oyeleke early doors and after a good start fell 2 goals behind. Matters were made worse after substitute Christian Montano was forced off soon after half time and having used all three Vale played out the half with ten men.

Vales last visit to MK was a more memorable one with Alex Jones netting the winner in front of the Sky Cameras two seasons ago.

Vale will likely make changes from Friday and fringe players such as Elliott and the recalled Mike Calverley could be called in as Vale look at options for next season.

Vale have been good on the road and as mentioned don’t generally concede but a dead rubber against a side gunning for promotion is a big ask, the high press may suit against a team like MK but think we will lose in a typically Vale half arsed end of season game.

 

[kieran_vale]

Going along to this as live just outside MK. Just hope we don’t half arse it now we know safety is secure. Likely won’t be enough as they are better than us man for man but want to see us at least try and make them sweat for it.

 

[valefan16]

Going along to this as live just outside MK. Just hope we don’t half arse it now we know safety is secure. Likely won’t be enough as they are better than us man for man but want to see us at least try and make them sweat for it.

We’ve a habit of going over board with the on the beach thing! 5-0 Cambridge, Walsall and Swindon in recent years!

Want us to get to 50 points and as you say give them a bloody nose rather than hand them the points.

 

[Buxton Vale]

Can't see this ending well, but hoping we don't roll over and have our tummy tickled. Its hard to know what to expect with relegation no longer a concern, and our ownership issues still not quite settled. I hope for the rest of the promotion chasing teams that we can put up a fight and not do our usual trick of caving in.

Really strange that we have the worst home record in the division, and the best away defence in the EFL!

 

[Franchisor]

Everything seems to be in our favour for this game. I'm expecting both teams to score, but we should really be winning this one if we are serious about autos given that we're away to playoff chasing Colchester next weekend followed by a home game against automatic promotion rivals Mansfield.

Reckon it'll be another close affair, but we should scrape through. 2-1.

 

[darren gregory]

Despite our insane defensive away record I really fear today.
Got a feeling a few fringe players may play.

Given that all 3 of our games are vitally important to our opponents and others I'd rather us not do that.

Sadly I fear a thrashing today.
4-0 with a paltry away support of 233 , all saving their cash for Bury

 

[valefan16]

Despite our insane defensive away record I really fear today.
Got a feeling a few fringe players may play.

Given that all 3 of our games are vitally important to our opponents and others I'd rather us not do that.

Sadly I fear a thrashing today.
4-0 with a paltry away support of 233 , all saving their cash for Bury

When he is calling a kid back from his youth loan at Nuneaton you feel its certainly to have a look at him for example.

Not arsed to much about the game or result as its a dead rubber but on the flip side all three opponents are in huge battles at both ends of the table so it wont sit well if we do throw the kids in during any of the ties.

 

[darren gregory]

Worryingly we could possibly lose 4 of our last 5 , even all 5.

Always two ways these games go and you do get bizarre results at this time of the season.

A. The pressure/ shackles are off so let's play some good stuff

B. The on the beach mode , which you have already pointed out some of our thrashings.

There could be a scenario where say a point at Bury would promote MK and Mansfield.

We owe it to all teams to do the right thing and put out a proper side.
Unfortunately we have no Crewe, Grimsby, Cheltenham game where such juggling around is acceptable.

Clearly MK and Mansfield fans wouldn't know our squad but if the likes of Elliot and Calverley appear at Bury we can predict the outcome

 

[darren gregory]

PS
Even our strongest side is unlikely to get a result at MK and Bury, however that isn't the issue

 

[valefan16]

PS
Even our strongest side is unlikely to get a result at MK and Bury, however that isn't the issue

Bury wheels have flew off lately so winnable but I just don’t see us going all out for the last three and say Macclesfield is the only one we’d expect a result in if we play with the right attitude

 

[kieran_vale]

We absolutely should name our strongest side in all these games. Thing is even if we do name a few younger players in the team what realistically are we going to learn about them in a very small snapshot?

Also if there is an attitude that it’s a case of job done within the club then whoever has that attitude I want them gone. They should be embarrassed that we were ever in this situation so owe it to everyone and also the other clubs fighting to stay/go up to put in a shift.

 

[valefan16]

We absolutely should name our strongest side in all these games. Thing is even if we do name a few younger players in the team what realistically are we going to learn about them in a very small snapshot?

Also if there is an attitude that it’s a case of job done within the club then whoever has that attitude I want them gone. They should be embarrassed that we were ever in this situation so owe it to everyone and also the other clubs fighting to stay/go up to put in a shift.

After Mansfield last season when we secured survival I made a point that under no circumstance should we celebrate it. We had to focus straight on not allowing it to ever happen again... didn’t overly work even though we’ve rarely been in dire danger this season (think closest gap was 5 points possibly?)

Now it’s even more important because if it happens a third time a) we will get a rut where survival in league two is the aim year on year and b) luck will run out.

At the very least we should be challenging the play offs at this level and anything less is an absolute disgrace and failure for this club.

 

[valefan16]

Pope and Whitfield dropped for Elliott to make his first start and Hannant.

Zero up front with a kid who was playing college football at the start of the season in the States the lone striker!

 

[darren gregory]

Surely Miller is injured ?
Suddenly not even worthy of a squad place ?
Not liking this already

 

[valefan16]

Surely Miller is injured ?
Suddenly not even worthy of a squad place ?
Not liking this already

No idea, Hannant wasn’t involved on Friday but now starting, if we are looking at players I suppose Miller being under contract means we are looking at Elliott to see if anything there.

Like him, pace and power and can beat a man but raw as anything and not had a pre season in him yet. Huge ask of him today.

 

[darren gregory]

I'm not knocking him here but was it not just a case of he looked lively and eager when he came on ?
Seems to like a backheel and that cross he put in was 100mph and went out of play.

Not convinced at all but as you say no harm having a look.
Sure Bury and Mansfield will be delighted at his selection !!!

 

[valefan16]

I'm not knocking him here but was it not just a case of he looked lively and eager when he came on ?
Seems to like a backheel and that cross he put in was 100mph and went out of play.

Not convinced at all but as you say no harm having a look.
Sure Bury and Mansfield will be delighted at his selection !!!

Nearly set one up soon as he came on which Monty took of Popes head and headed wide.

He has something else ie pace which is probably clouding judgement. He is a six month deal in the summer get a pre season in him and see what he can do player.

Needs Monty, Hannant and Worrall to get up in support though today. Hope we use the high press as these are exactly the type of team it should be used on.

 

[Buxton Vale]

reasonably happy with that. Elliott would have scored at Crawley if Gibbons had bothered to pass to him, and made an instant impression on Friday. We have options to come on if its not working.

 

[darren gregory]

Miller is in the away end with his son

 

[Buxton Vale]

Miller is in the away end with his son

hes injured apparently

 

[Buxton Vale]

Brown saves another penalty

 

[darren gregory]

Brown saves another penalty

Him and Alnwick the best since Goodlad .
Player of the season by miles

 

[valefan16]

Great pen save and the follow up save was world class. Harsh pen yet again though; we never get those!

Been comfortable though and the high press so far has unsettled MK who are playing at a slow pace so far.

Hannant has the beating of their right back when he gets it down there. Might provide an outlet if his holiness comes on.

 

[kieran_vale]

That penalty was dubious to say the least. Scotty did a great job on that and the rebound though.

Been played at a slow pace for the most part understandably given how hot it is. Can see the quality in this MK team to be fair.

 

[valefan16]

That penalty was dubious to say the least. Scotty did a great job on that and the rebound though.

Been played at a slow pace for the most part understandably given how hot it is. Can see the quality in this MK team to be fair.

Both teams are knocking it around well. Not much hoofing.

 

[Buxton Vale]

it doesn't sound like we've created much, but if it ends goalless i wont complain. I expect Pope will be on at some point.

 

[valefan16]

Lol even MK Dons twitter feed was baffled by the pen!

Haven’t created a lot but Monty should score after three minutes with the space he had!

 

[valefan16]

Get in!!!!

 

[Buxton Vale]

first shot on target! hold on boys

 

[Buxton Vale]

that didnt last long