Rob Page Old Boys v Rob Page New Boys

[Strawberry_Jam]

Clearly weren't there then! Most dominant we've been all season, was disappointed as it was heading for a draw and got caught late going for the win

I clearly said I wasn't there. But judging by the stats, I find it hard to you were 'mugged' ... possession and playing well up until the penalty area has nothing to do with it.

 

[kieran_vale]

Two goals off set pieces for them. You can't let that happen and expect to win even if other aspects of the performance were pretty good. Just seems to be a Vale thing regardless who the manager is, we look absolutely hopeless defending them (and our attacking ones are only marginally better than that).

 

[valefan16]

Two goals off set pieces for them. You can't let that happen and expect to win even if other aspects of the performance were pretty good. Just seems to be a Vale thing regardless who the manager is, we look absolutely hopeless defending them (and our attacking ones are only marginally better than that).

Haven't noticed us be particularly poor before today at set pieces but Smith and Streete didn't do as well as they have. It's a really poor game to lose against a side out of form and who were camping in their box for literally the whole second half but we let them hit us on the break twice late on and probably weren't street wise enough throwing so many bodies forward to win the game.

That said why on earth did the referee appear to back track over sending MacCourt off when he had the red in his hand at first!

Big picture is 1 win in 9 and despite having total control for most of it we failed to even get a point and plan B is looking inevitable.

One thing I will say is why on earth did Bruno take Kelly off who along with Kiko down that side was destroying their right back?

 

[MJA]

We go again

 

[valefan16]

We go again

Can't fault any of the lads in that dressing room, they always give me 100%

 

[Andy Proctor]

Any other vale fans like me fed up with it and after this season is over cant be arsed go anymore to waste anymore money.

 

[Randolph Haggerty]

I didn't go today, but radio stoke made it sound like we got away with only 2-3. Could've been 6 according to them.
I wonder what mad smurf is thinking?
Less than 4000 vale on a Saturday fixture, doesn't bode well.
I would imagine most fans ( me included) think this season is over.
I don't think we'll go down, but we certainly won't be troubling the top six, plan b for christmas?

 

[Randolph Haggerty]

I didn't go today, but radio stoke made it sound like we got away with only 2-3. Could've been 6 according to them.
I wonder what mad smurf is thinking?
Less than 4000 vale on a Saturday fixture, doesn't bode well.
I would imagine most fans ( me included) think this season is over.
I don't think we'll go down, but we certainly won't be troubling the top six, plan b for christmas?

 

[valefan16]

I didn't go today, but radio stoke made it sound like we got away with only 2-3. Could've been 6 according to them.
I wonder what mad smurf is thinking?
Less than 4000 vale on a Saturday fixture, doesn't bode well.
I would imagine most fans ( me included) think this season is over.
I don't think we'll go down, but we certainly won't be troubling the top six, plan b for christmas?

They could of had a couple more on breakaways but Big Jak wasn't forced into any worldies although for all our dominance we seemed intent on trying to walk the ball in!

We seem to be trying zonal marking today and it just didn't work. They were a physical side so in the air we struggled although for the first a midget could of scored as no one was within five yards of him!

 

[valefan16]

I didn't go today, but radio stoke made it sound like we got away with only 2-3. Could've been 6 according to them.
I wonder what mad smurf is thinking?
Less than 4000 vale on a Saturday fixture, doesn't bode well.
I would imagine most fans ( me included) think this season is over.
I don't think we'll go down, but we certainly won't be troubling the top six, plan b for christmas?

Plan B is to buy loads of decent English players allegedly if not top six by Xmas... problem is Kiko, De Freitas and Amoros have looked decent during this injury crisis to our more experienced English players so who do you take out?

Fans are rightly getting frustrated, under Page it was frustrating, under Bruno it's frustrating but without investment can we really get back to the glory days of the 90s? Bolton, Sheffield United, Wigan, Brentford, Bristol City, Wolves, PNE all have had massive budgets... even Cobblers who were allegedly in deep shit 12 months ago have spent money on players. Without investment mid table is the best we can realistically hope for baring a freak season like Burton for example.

 

[Andy Proctor]

If smurf hadnt of said he wanted top 6 by christmas then fans like me and im sure lots of others too would be happy for us to be midtable. Some of these foriegn players are doing well now like cicilia and defreitas. We need sort the squad out though its miles too big. We may aswell get rid of sam johnson ryan lloyd ben purkiss martin patterson chris mbamba as they are either not good enough or wont feature for us at all.

 

[EricSabin]

Must have watched a different game. Apparently completely one sided yet we had 8 shots on target and could have scored 5! Was too far away to see the 'red card' challenge so can't comment on that, but Vale never really properly worked our keeper all through the game. There was a 10 minute second half spell where a lot of corners came but nothing of much substance. Pretty biased to say Vale were dominant!

 

[valefan16]

Must have watched a different game. Apparently completely one sided yet we had 8 shots on target and could have scored 5! Was too far away to see the 'red card' challenge so can't comment on that, but Vale never really properly worked our keeper all through the game. There was a 10 minute second half spell where a lot of corners came but nothing of much substance. Pretty biased to say Vale were dominant!

To be fair three of those shots were in one move. Second half you didn't get out of your half until we took Kelly and Tavares off and you got your breakaways in the last 15.

 

[LordJord]

Felt like vale had the majority of possession but for all of that never really made Cornell make many saves at all. Plenty of corners mind. Can think of a fair few that Alnwick had to make and the fact he was man of the match is testimont to that.

Really enjoyed the game, not sure why your number 7 got taken off. Glad to see us go with 2 up top. Back safely into mid table for us.

What's the deal with the vale stadium? Not been there before but it seemed really odd/ unfinished (as is ours).

 

[valefan16]

Felt like vale had the majority of possession but for all of that never really made Cornell make many saves at all. Plenty of corners mind. Can think of a fair few that Alnwick had to make and the fact he was man of the match is testimont to that.

Really enjoyed the game, not sure why your number 7 got taken off. Glad to see us go with 2 up top. Back safely into mid table for us.

What's the deal with the vale stadium? Not been there before but it seemed really odd/ unfinished (as is ours).

Been like it since 1998 although slowly getting bits done to it... started building the stand, loads of mine shafts were discovered so cost spiralled...we will run the Cathedral in Barcelona close for construction time at this rate.

No idea why Kelly went off as he was pinning Anderson? and your right back so keeping you camped back, all be it he polarises opinion and is generally seen as a fringe player... if Jerome Thomas was fit he wouldn't even be starting despite a decent but indecisive performance today (Thomas is a level above to be fair). Should be going 2 up front though... arguably the best striker in the division and he's played out wide again!

 

[MJA]

Seeing a lot of talk about Vale and possession. Quite excited for our prospects when Pep has his way and the FA bring in a rule where teams are given bonus points for winning the possession and completed pass statistics

 

[Fuzzyvalefan]

I didn't go today, but radio stoke made it sound like we got away with only 2-3. Could've been 6 according to them.
I wonder what mad smurf is thinking?
Less than 4000 vale on a Saturday fixture, doesn't bode well.

Except it wasn't less than 4000 at all and since when have Radio Stoke talked any sense. As I said on OneValeFan, why let the truth get in the way of knee jerk reactions.

Everyone who was at the game is pleased with the performance and is being positive, those not at the game are the ones moaning and using stats to back up their arguments. You can prove anything with stats, 90% of people know that.

 

[MJA]

Except it wasn't less than 4000 at all and since when have Radio Stoke talked any sense. As I said on OneValeFan, why let the truth get in the way of knee jerk reactions.

Everyone who was at the game is pleased with the performance and is being positive, those not at the game are the ones moaning and using stats to back up their arguments. You can prove anything with stats, 90% of people know that.

Nice to hear such a post. I no longer go to games so have to rely on those who do to offer feedback. Unfortunately it is not always trustworthy and far too often it is the same old negative knee-jerk reaction to a Vale defeat

 

[Strawberry_Jam]

I dont wish to be pedantic but there were less than 4000 Vale fans there...

Better attendances when we were in the league below on a wet tuesday night with Bas Savage up front

 

[MJA]

I dont wish to be pedantic but there were less than 4000 Vale fans there...

Better attendances when we were in the league below on a wet tuesday night with Bas Savage up front

I don't see your point???

 

[valefan16]

Our attendances have been awful this season, 1000 or so down on recent years. Stagnation has set in a bit plus the whole Smurf implosion after Exeter last season seems to have lost a lot of supporters. Even at the start when we were cruising the home games didn't see great attendances.

These are regulars too as even in the league below we'd be getting far far more than now.

 

[darren gregory]

Felt we played decent without their keeper really excelling.
Hoskins , what an absolute cnut of a bloke, horrible little turd.
I will take survival now as we are in freefall, all gone to pieces since the Coventry fiasco, 1 win at home in last 6 home games does not bode well given our horrific away form.

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Felt we played decent without their keeper really excelling.
Hoskins , what an absolute cnut of a bloke, horrible little turd.
I will take survival now as we are in freefall, all gone to pieces since the Coventry fiasco, 1 win at home in last 6 home games does not bode well given our horrific away form.

Sam Hoskins, why?

 

[leedsvaliant]

Sam Hoskins, why?

He was the little shit that went up to the crowd when he scored and celebrated as if he'd won the world cup, I wouldn't have blamed anyone from entering the field of play and knocking his block off to be honest. They did the same for the third goal - what's the point of antagonising the crowd? I really don't get that. Poor show from some senior pros there.

As for the game, I thought we looked like we had the better footballers but Northampton played a wily game and have some experienced heads who know all the tricks - no real stand out stars but they do the ugly stuff well. Richards and Revell in theory should be the slowest forward line in history but to be fair they both lead the line pretty well and the Northampton defence was pretty solid. We had 16 corners and didn't look like scoring off any of them, Northampton had 3? and scored. Their set piece delivery was excellent and ours was poor.

First half was pretty even really. Second half we had most of the play but Page seems to have learnt how to actually play out a game. We didn't make their keeper work enough but we'll play much worse (and have played much worse) and win. Three very poor, almost amateur goals, to concede and on another day we probably could have nicked it.

I'd still wager that with a few players to come back in we'll finish higher than Northampton come the seasons end.

 

[valefan16]

Hoskins was the number 14 who dived first half and got slaughtered for it wasn't it?

 

[darren gregory]

Yes he did an horrendous dive, rolled about like he was shot, then to raucous laughter in the Lorne streete he got up and sprinted, probably watched too many premier league games. He came across as a nauseating turd who thought he was far better than he actually is.
Generally an annoying horrible smarmy character he came across as, and was a sickener to see him score, as per LeedsValiant comment he then ran directly at Vale crowd like he had just won 50 million on the Euro Millions rather than scoring against Port Vale.
Can,t subscribe to we will finish above them, they had too much nous and wily old pro's.
And if you compared the 2 Taylor's despite Ryan scoring i know who i'd like in my team. Matt Taylor was quality delivery maybe 75% of the time, whereas Ryan Taylor was 20% of the time, some horrendous corners and free kicks which never beat the first man.
I will gladly take survival, i feel that Chesterfield and Oldham are absolutely pivotal to our season over the festive period.
6 points from the last 18 at home and one of the worst away records in the country does not fill me with glee.

 

[LordJord]

I agree Hoskins can go down easily but to make such a big deal of him celebrating seems odd. Seems odd that football fans can sing and shout any abuse at him but he isnt allowed to celebrate in front of other fans after putting us in the lead and breaking a long drought for him. How very well dare he. Ryan Taylor looked at us when he scored, shocked there wasnt a stampede to get to him.
Hes a good pacy runner with the ball but his finishing and general build up isnt great. Effective player on his day though.
Matty Taylors delivery was very good on Saturday but his corners have left a little to be desired tbh this season. Still it was an enjoyable game and glad to see us look more dangerous going forward than we have in the last few games.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Yes he did an horrendous dive, rolled about like he was shot, then to raucous laughter in the Lorne streete he got up and sprinted, probably watched too many premier league games. He came across as a nauseating turd who thought he was far better than he actually is.
Generally an annoying horrible smarmy character he came across as, and was a sickener to see him score, as per LeedsValiant comment he then ran directly at Vale crowd like he had just won 50 million on the Euro Millions rather than scoring against Port Vale.
Can,t subscribe to we will finish above them, they had too much nous and wily old pro's.
And if you compared the 2 Taylor's despite Ryan scoring i know who i'd like in my team. Matt Taylor was quality delivery maybe 75% of the time, whereas Ryan Taylor was 20% of the time, some horrendous corners and free kicks which never beat the first man.
I will gladly take survival, i feel that Chesterfield and Oldham are absolutely pivotal to our season over the festive period.
6 points from the last 18 at home and one of the worst away records in the country does not fill me with glee.

Agreed, his delivery was quality, whipped in with pace and not floated for an easy catch for our keeper. Off the rare set pieces that they had, they looked like scoring and invariably did. They were much bigger than us in general but when your tactic is to mark space rather than a player, you're always looking for trouble.

We're having a bad run, no doubt about it, but we've probably got 4 or 5 of our first team out. Like I said, we looked like we had footballers with more ability than Northampton but we didn't have the nous. That's what you get with having a team with very few experienced pros in it - in this league it's not always about the individual quality. We looked good at the start of the season with a fully fit squad and with players like Foley and Thomas back in we'd have the experience to manage games a bit better.

Crucial home games over the Christmas period and a couple of away games where we should get something. Anything less than 6 points and you fear that we might get into a struggle that we can't get out of.

 

[valefan16]

To be fair to Ryan, he's been decent most of the time he has been here.

My sister went to school with the lad who got their third so had to take some 'bants' over it!

 

[leedsvaliant]

I agree Hoskins can go down easily but to make such a big deal of him celebrating seems odd. Seems odd that football fans can sing and shout any abuse at him but he isnt allowed to celebrate in front of other fans after putting us in the lead and breaking a long drought for him. How very well dare he. Ryan Taylor looked at us when he scored, shocked there wasnt a stampede to get to him.
Hes a good pacy runner with the ball but his finishing and general build up isnt great. Effective player on his day though.
Matty Taylors delivery was very good on Saturday but his corners have left a little to be desired tbh this season. Still it was an enjoyable game and glad to see us look more dangerous going forward than we have in the last few games.

It happened twice though and was pretty unsavoury and uncalled for in my opinion. He rightly should be pleased that he'd scored but to deliberately wind up the fans - what's the point? They were both odd and over the top celebrations for what was essentially just another mid season game between two midtable outfits.