Port Vale v FGR - The good and bad of club ownership

[Chris FGR]

Big game for both teams this, Vale obviously need another couple of wins to get safe and we're in a tight battle for the playoffs.

This game marks the first one for us since the sad loss of former owner and club legend Trevor Horsley, who died on Monday aged just 63. The man who most consider the main man, picked the club up when it was struggling and built us up to a level we would never have dreamed of. A real man of the people, a passionate football man and proper fan of the club. He was still coming to games until recently. Would always have a chat and ask about the family etc, could always have a drink with him. Top, top man. He'll be massively missed.

At the other end of the spectrum Vale fans are staging protests against their owner, with both home and away fans encouraged to boycott all the kiosks/bars in the stadium. This is to attempt to starve out their dodgy owner Smurthwaite, so hopefully all our fans join in. I know me and a few others going will be.

 

[valefan16]

Thanks for joining the boycott... its appreciated and great to see fans coming together to support our plight.

As for the game...

Hopefully we can play to the level's we have been the past few games, we've actually played the best football we've managed in a couple of years with our new high press system. (Last week aside with the conditions!), FGR seem to have been stuttering a bit of late so a chance to get the win that probably all but secures safety but could go either way.

FGR seem to knock it about well, certainly the best footballing side we've faced this season so will have to work hard with the high press and hopefully as with Mansfield force some errors near the back for us to jump on.

Hopefully be a good game either way.

 

[Buxton Vale]

Will be over for this one, and hoping for the win that almost seals our place in L2 next season. I dont think thers an actual protest planned, unless I missed it, but I wont be buying from the kiosks or club shop. Play how we did against Mansfield and Yeovil and we can win, although FGR aren't going to be a pushover as they need points to keep in touch with the play-offs.

Would a draw be a good result for both sides? I guess it depends how others do.

 

[kieran_vale]

I wouldn’t be too disappointed with a draw if we got it. Think three more points assuming no massive hit to goal difference in the coming weeks will have us safe so that would inch us closer. Good for Vale that we have had a full week after Swindon to recharge as the team had put a lot into those three games previously.

Be tough though. Thinking back to the last time we played Forest Green at VP both teams were pretty much cast adrift at the bottom with Chesterfield, indeed that game cost Brown his job at Vale. They have done really well since to progress and although think will just fall short this year a run at automatic promotion shouldn’t take too much extra for them next year so respect to them for that.

 

[valefan16]

A Draw is ok, after Notts I said a point a game would do it (12 points in 12 games)... currently we have 8 points from 4 so need 4 from 8 to meet that target... keep ticking along and things will take care of themselves.

FGR were immense away early season but have taken a few hits on the road lately bar the Colchester win which is impressive. Should be a good tie

 

[Si Robin]

This game marks the first one for us since the sad loss of former owner and club legend Trevor Horsley, who died on Monday aged just 63. The man who most consider the main man, picked the club up when it was struggling and built us up to a level we would never have dreamed of. A real man of the people, a passionate football man and proper fan of the club. He was still coming to games until recently. Would always have a chat and ask about the family etc, could always have a drink with him. Top, top man. He'll be massively missed.

Some nice words there Chris. Undoubtedly a legend of Gloucestershire football.

 

[valefan16]

Jesus, just seen the referee tomorrow has took charge of 30 games but given 10 red cards!

Conlon, Miller and Mad Gav will have to be careful!

 

[darren gregory]

Jesus, just seen the referee tomorrow has took charge of 30 games but given 10 red cards!

Conlon, Miller and Mad Gav will have to be careful!

Shit ref at the Vale is standard. The Yeovil one was atrocious and we won 3-0 so not sour grapes.

This season standards are at an all time low.

Take a draw really but we are a different animal in the last 3 weeks .

Any team with an ageing Collins and average Joe Gunning shouldn't be anywhere near the play offs so fair play to FGR a very underrated side.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Seems the FGR fans are more optimistic than our manager.
On interview he compliments Port Vale and says they are having a rich vein of good form whereas FGR have three of their best players [Liam Shephard, Joseph Mills & Lee Collins] all doubtful for game.
If that be the case, a draw would be a good result.

 

[valefan16]

Seems the FGR fans are more optimistic than our manager.
On interview he compliments Port Vale and says they are having a rich vein of good form whereas FGR have three of their best players [Liam Shephard, Joseph Mills & Lee Collins] all doubtful for game.
If that be the case, a draw would be a good result.

We’ve been playing very well lately... that said when Vale get your hopes up they often let us down!

Tonight’s news may have an impact also on and off the field.

 

[Buxton Vale]

Should be a lively atmosphere tomorrow. Hope hes not stupid enough to put in an appearance!

 

[valefan16]

Should be a lively atmosphere tomorrow. Hope hes not stupid enough to put in an appearance!

I was half expecting a sstatement on the website!

 

[Chris FGR]

Collins, Shepherd and Mills would be massive misses. Our style relies heavily on our wing backs playing well and having both out would seriously damage our chances, we have zero cover and will have to have players out of position. Collins is a leader and makes our other defenders play better.

We have a very small squad so any injuries and we're struggling to fill the bench.

Would take a point tbh, although at our best we're capable of all 3.

 

[Stripes]

We don't like high press, we need room and time, lots of it. A point would be a good result for us. Especially if Shepherd is out with injury, that will be a big blow. He seems to be a major influence to us. Most of our play goes through him down the right side. On the other side poor old Joe Mills never got a look in last week, he spent the entire game stood on the touch line and no one would pass it to him, very odd I thought. He might just as well not been on the pitch. Something not right there. Our guys are clearly not enjoying it at the moment. But we live in hope.

 

[kieran_vale]

Montano in for Hannant otherwise unchanged. Bit of a blow as Hannant has really thrived in the last few games but with Montano on the left should give lots of opportunity to stretch the field on both sides.

 

[valefan16]

Monty for Hannant as he had tonsillitis.

Monty the greater goal threat but depends what Monty turns up!

 

[kieran_vale]

Monty for Hannant as he had tonsillitis.

Monty the greater goal threat but depends what Monty turns up!

In theory the way we set up should really suit Montano but like you say it really depends if the mood takes him. Hannants workrate in that position has been really important to us so will be interested how that effects us.

 

[kieran_vale]

Some nice approach play from both sides but just the final ball lacking.

Guess Forest Greens keeper fancies himself as some Manuel Neuer type sweeper-keeper. Nearly cost his team a couple of times against our pressing game.

 

[valefan16]

Plenty of good football, we’ve had the best chances and their keeper is dodgy as with the ball at his feet. We’ve had so much pressure in the channels that it’s probably crying out of Popey to be in the middle to cross into.

Could go either way this.

Only negative is FGR throwing themselves to the floor constantly!

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Keeper always does that, no sure why we persist with it. Had no commentary at all in yet another cock up from our service (they say it's the BBC) so nothing much else to add!

 

[leedsvaliant]

Good substitution by their manager caused the goal. The referee has hit new depths of shitness. He's been awful and forest green have basically gone down every time they've been touched. Typical snowflakes

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Alternatively Vale have fouled a lot and spoiled their own game. Just cost you a goal too by sound of it.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Alternatively Vale have fouled a lot and spoiled their own game. Just cost you a goal too by sound of it.

No, the officials have got worse. Forest green going down like a sack of shit not helped. It's not been a difficult game to referee but they've made it so. Appalling.

 

[valefan16]

Poor referee and FGR antics aren’t great but we’ve had a real shitter second half. Only ourselves to blame

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Reece you beauty. Classic sucker punch.

 

[kieran_vale]

It’s a shame that performance from the officials will be the most memorable thing about that game as some of the football played was quite pleasing on the eye.

Congrats to Forest Green on the win though. Their manager made a double sub which swung it in their favour and we couldn’t adjust to it.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

I've only had twenty minutes of commentary to go off so bow to them as was there but really surprised to hear all this "antics" stuff, we've not done it any other game this season. What I did hear agree ref sounded like he'd lost the plot a bit.

 

[Stripes]

Reece Brown is making the difference for us lately. A clever midfielder who can score is invaluble. Our away form is now back to where is was, that is our strength, MK Dons at home next will be interseting.

Vale you have a few more weeks looking over your shoulders but not too much pressure coming your ways from the bottom three!

 

[darren gregory]

I'd rather blame the linesman, complete and utter bottle job. Totally inept.
The wiping out of Clark three feet from him was simply staggering.

I felt 0-0 was fair, the 2nd goal was irrelevant as we had all 10 outfield players up
Let me say now the officials did not cause the defeat.
But diving bastards like Doidge need eradicating from the game.
Didn't know they had any fans either until the 2nd goal when they bravely chanted ' time to go ' .
Complete none entity of a club

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Thought it was Cheshire had the salt?