Port Vale v Gillingham

[leedsvaliant]

After Gillingham's terrific start on Saturday and renewed optimism amongst Vale fans as to how we're starting to play, this one is tough to call.

I think Gillingham have got some good young players and Dack is a class act - we'll have to be on our game again to get anything.

What Gillingham might have to be wary of is over confidence. Although they had a fantastic result, we all know that first games of the season are not always a barometer of how things will pan out. I notice that some of their fans are already talking of at least play-offs and I suspect they might think they just have to turn up. Vale are a much better team than the pundits/press would have you believe and we've really enhanced the positions we were poor in last season. We've also enhanced with a few unknowns like Andoh, who is frighteningly quick.

We're not clicking quite in front of goal yet but we've completely outplayed both teams we've met so far. It would be typical Vale though to put in a damp squib of a performance just as optimism has been built.

I'm going to go for a tight 2-1 Vale win.

 

[Shrimpurh]

0-2

 

[joethegill]

What Gillingham might have to be wary of is over confidence. Although they had a fantastic result, we all know that first games of the season are not always a barometer of how things will pan out. I notice that some of their fans are already talking of at least play-offs and I suspect they might think they just have to turn up.

Funny that, cause I've seen that sort of talk far more from Vale fans than our own. While it's true we were superb against Sheffield United, we've had false dawns on the opening day before so we don't get carried away. In the pre-season predictions on this forum, most Gills were predicting about an 8th-12th finish, while it was fans of other sides who generally had us firmly in the promotion hunt.

We have an exciting squad, but we're still missing a few key players in McDonald, Loft and Aaron Morris, so we're understrength until they're back. Dack is obviously our main man going forwards, but the early form of our full backs has been key to the good start, with both given full license to attack whether we play with a midfield diamond or plain wing-backs. The midfield is young and energetic, with Jordan Houghton (Chelsea U-21 captain), Emanuel Osadebe (Ex-Spurs academy) and our own Jake Hessenthaler joining Dack in the middle so far. We do have exceptional centre back options with Ehmer not even getting in the side yet over Egan and Oshilaja (Cardiff loan). The front two have worked themselves into the ground so far, but we do miss McDonald. As long as the rest of the side can keep scoring then frankly who cares if the forwards don't?

I'll go 2-1 Gills, but would probably take a draw.

 

[valefan16]

Perform anything like Tuesday and we should be looking for the three points. My concern is tiredness though, last night was the most complete performance I've seen from us in years and we worked very hard for it to stop Burnley getting a shot of note on goal and then playing some cracking football in possession.

I'm happy to be underestimated though and hopefully the first two games are the sign of things to come.

Changes from last night I'd start Uche to give us a challenge up front but stick with Andoh, I can see him being a top player at this level he's got pace, trickery and can also defend, I was worried about losing Marshall but this kid is a level above him from what I've seen.

As for the game itself we will have to be on top of our game, they had a good result and seem to be dangerous from set pieces so will be a true test of our new look back line and will need to be as good as last night to keep Gillingham out. With excitement and optimism so high no excuse for the fans not to turn up especially if the draw tomorrow adds to that with a plum tie.

2-1 Vale no doubt Willo will have his annual decent game and score! Uche and Andoh for us.

 

[jbet]

Always a tough game against the Gills.

1-0 either way...

 

[Rory]

Always a tough game against the Gills.

1-0 either way...

I agree. First goal wins.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Funny that, cause I've seen that sort of talk far more from Vale fans than our own.

I don't think any normal Vale fan expected us to get near the top 6 but we're quietly confident that we've got a much better squad than most have predicted. Lots of lazy journalism and bookies writing us off without studying why we had issues last year and how we've addressed them.
Again, it's difficult to assess how good teams are after one game. Sheffield Utd might have just expected to turn up to win at your place and were simply outworked - it happens.
It would be just our luck for Ben Williamson to score against us on Saturday. I actually can't believe another league club saw anything in him. Great athlete, works hardish but zero football brain, anticipation or real fight and if he can play in the league then so can I.

 

[valefan16]

Im enjoying it going under the radar and see where we end up, we've got a young squad and a new coaching staff that are getting us playing the right way and dealing with the problems, our defence was terrible last year but in an away local game and a tie against a full strength top Championship side we have barely let any threat through that back line so the huge improvement is there for all to see.

We are a 15-20 goal striker away from even thinking of a playoff challenge, maybe if we get a plumb tie tonight Smurf will go and get one but after a couple of years of long ball with an inability to keep possession to see this new look is refreshing, if we go down with the squad capability of now compared to last season something is wrong!

Saying that any Gills fancy upsetting the apple cart again together like 3 years ago

 

[GFC4EVA]

Both teams full of confidence with decent starts to the season.


Expecting a tougher game than sheff utd gave us last week but still fancy us to take something from the game, hopefully osadebe will be restored o the starting 11.

Vale 1- 2 gills

 

[leedsvaliant]

Looking back, Gillingham haven't got a great record at Vale Park and haven't won at VP since 2009. So expect us to lose.....

Most Gills fans predicting a win though...full of confidence. I'd tend to favour a draw.

 

[valefan16]

Looking back, Gillingham haven't got a great record at Vale Park and haven't won at VP since 2009. So expect us to lose.....

Most Gills fans predicting a win though...full of confidence. I'd tend to favour a draw.

Beat us at VP in 2012 in the promotion season before we repaid the favour at theirs with an as rare win at their place!

 

[leedsvaliant]

Beat us at VP in 2012 in the promotion season before we repaid the favour at theirs with an as rare win at their place!

Oh yeah I must have missed that one. Historically neither of us travel too well to the other. it's along way!

 

[joethegill]

Oh yeah I must have missed that one. Historically neither of us travel too well to the other. it's along way!

This season I'd imagine Vale would fall in the 'shorter' trips we have to make.

 

[TomPNE94]

So, to clarify, you don't all still want Page sacked? Or is that just when you lose a game?

 

[Freakyteeth]

Gannon out

 

[valefan16]

So, to clarify, you don't all still want Page sacked? Or is that just when you lose a game?

He has now signed his own players and backroom staff so will give him the chance. So far the signs look positive.

 

[TomPNE94]

He has now signed his own players and backroom staff so will give him the chance. So far the signs look positive.

How come you weren't willing to give him a chance last season, before he had chance to sign his own players and backroom staff?

 

[Rory]

How come you weren't willing to give him a chance last season, before he had chance to sign his own players and backroom staff?

I think some people thought, wrongly, that he was going to be Micky Adams MKII and people were fed up with his dinosaur football.

Page has been a breath of fresh air, I mean they even used footballs in pre season training this year instead of running up hills all day. I think that's why they're better at passing it to one another now.

 

[ValeMouth]

Vale to win 2-0 willo to look like hes going to score, then turn away from goal, wait for vales defence to get back then lose the ball...at least 5 times

 

[Dave-Vale]

1-1 draw.

 

[AusGill]

From everything said above, Ben Williamson is a nailed-on cert for a hat-trick

But.......if he does, we'll lose 4-3
It's been a positive start for us, as it has been for Vale too.
If we were to win/draw this one then some of our fans would really start to go overboard.

Pre-season, a lot of ours were predicting us to not get even 1 point from our first 4 tough games (Sheff U and Wigan at home, you lot and Bratfud away). So I doubt any of us is overconfident.

For a real prediction I'll go 1-1. Hope its a good game for those attending.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Draw written all over it 0-0

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Really disappointed Aaron Morris is out for this one. He makes a difference sitting in the midfield.
Cody still out as well which is a blow.
Oh well, hopefully the young boy Osadebe (Paddy) will be fit again and with him, Hougton and Dack in the midfield, with Jackson and either Dickenson or Garmston down the flanks we could still have enough.
Confidence should be high, not just because of a couple of games this season but also the last twenty games of last season.
Really could go either way this one.

 

[valefan16]

Midfield will be a fascinating battle, we are very strong there (yet missing our best player still in Oaky) and Gills are clearly good in that area so could be a decisive battle in that area.

Need Grant to do to Dack what he did to George Boyd Tuesday really!

 

[The Alex]

10-0 Vale, they're fucking immense

 

[joethegill]

Midfield will be a fascinating battle, we are very strong there (yet missing our best player still in Oaky) and Gills are clearly good in that area so could be a decisive battle in that area.

Need Grant to do to Dack what he did to George Boyd Tuesday really!

Our strongest areas are certainly midfield and centre back, so we have a very strong core. I like Norris and Williamson up front but they won't score the goals that Cody will, so I'd be quite interested to give Rory Donnelly a go up top for this one and see how he goes. Dickenson isn't a full back, but has been there for most of pre-season and the opening couple of games and done well, albeit with fairly limited opposition. Interesting to see how he gets on against Byron Moore (not that I particularly rate him, but Sheff Utd had nothing out wide and Plymouth were limited so at least it'll be half a test) as to whether he can nail down that position or Bradley Garmston may come in and take over full back duties.

I've got a weird hunch we may change shape for this one and go back to the 3 centre backs and wing backs system that worked so well for us last year. Vale seem to only play one central striker so a back 3 would be able to deal with him IMO, and allow us an extra body in midfield.

I'd go:

Nelson
Egan - Ehmer - Oshilaja
Jackson---------------------Dickenson
Houghton - Wright
Dack
Norris - Donnelly
​

G.Morris, Garmston, McGlashan, Osadebe, Williamson, Hessenthaler and Davies on the bench

 

[mozzavale]

So, to clarify, you don't all still want Page sacked? Or is that just when you lose a game?

To clarify, I have always backed Page.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Our strongest areas are certainly midfield and centre back, so we have a very strong core. I like Norris and Williamson up front but they won't score the goals that Cody will, so I'd be quite interested to give Rory Donnelly a go up top for this one and see how he goes. Dickenson isn't a full back, but has been there for most of pre-season and the opening couple of games and done well, albeit with fairly limited opposition. Interesting to see how he gets on against Byron Moore (not that I particularly rate him, but Sheff Utd had nothing out wide and Plymouth were limited so at least it'll be half a test) as to whether he can nail down that position or Bradley Garmston may come in and take over full back duties.

I've got a weird hunch we may change shape for this one and go back to the 3 centre backs and wing backs system that worked so well for us last year. Vale seem to only play one central striker so a back 3 would be able to deal with him IMO, and allow us an extra body in midfield.

I'd go:

Nelson
Egan - Ehmer - Oshilaja
Jackson---------------------Dickenson
Houghton - Wright
Dack
Norris - Donnelly
​

G.Morris, Garmston, McGlashan, Osadebe, Williamson, Hessenthaler and Davies on the bench

Osadebe for Wright with Loft on the bench I reckon.

 

[valefan16]

Our strongest areas are certainly midfield and centre back, so we have a very strong core. I like Norris and Williamson up front but they won't score the goals that Cody will, so I'd be quite interested to give Rory Donnelly a go up top for this one and see how he goes. Dickenson isn't a full back, but has been there for most of pre-season and the opening couple of games and done well, albeit with fairly limited opposition. Interesting to see how he gets on against Byron Moore (not that I particularly rate him, but Sheff Utd had nothing out wide and Plymouth were limited so at least it'll be half a test) as to whether he can nail down that position or Bradley Garmston may come in and take over full back duties.

I've got a weird hunch we may change shape for this one and go back to the 3 centre backs and wing backs system that worked so well for us last year. Vale seem to only play one central striker so a back 3 would be able to deal with him IMO, and allow us an extra body in midfield.

I'd go:

Nelson
Egan - Ehmer - Oshilaja
Jackson---------------------Dickenson
Houghton - Wright
Dack
Norris - Donnelly
​

G.Morris, Garmston, McGlashan, Osadebe, Williamson, Hessenthaler and Davies on the bench

In fairness It should be the other flank where the real danger man will be assuming he starts in Enoch Andoh. (Although may be rested for Kelly) although Moore was quality Tuesday and first half against Crewe but you never know what Byron will turn up.

 

[Dan Phillips]

We actually have three decent wingers, so it doesn't matter who you play on the flanks.

Midfield battle will be key. I'd honestly consider playing Brown for this game and stick him on Bradley Dack.