Sat 2nd & Mon 4th September Fixtures

[Soz]

Which would you say we rode our luck in?

Its developing but this midfield is light years ahead of the one last season and Blackpool and Reading are no mugs. Time we will though but as you say if we can do it against a team in as good or better form as we are then maybe we can get a little excited.

Overall we seem better than last season (not that hard though) but have the added spark of Ollie Arblaster who lets be fair is looking an unbelievably good loan signing.

just a general feeling more than any isolated game, carlisle for instance could easily have won that game 0-1. maybe we've turned a corner and did to carlisle what repeatedly happened to us last season, it will just take a few more games to convince me.

just been a few missed chances from opposition, a few cracking saves from ripley, not convinced by our set piece defending despite the success since barnsley, and the teams weve played have not particularly set the world alight despite the start looking really difficult on paper. oxford is a proper test of where we are i think although even then we won't know for another handful of games.

 

[AmberAndy]

Hoping we can bounce back against Reading after what sounded a dreadful off day at Orient where we just couldn’t get on the front foot and gave away two poor goals. Think Bonner may tweak the starting line up and try Okenabirhie up front with Adhame now he is back to fuller fitness, as he got very isolated at Brisbane Road. Don’t know what to expect from the Royals, good in possession but a bit toothless up front? No doubt Knibbs will score against us though. Shame Smith is injured, he might of got an interesting reception from the home fans despite getting the goals that kept us up. Some haven’t forgiven him for shushing the NRE after scoring against Grimsby in the cup last season! Going for another home win, 3-1.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Why are Cambridge playing Monday?

 

[HutchECFC]

Why are Cambridge playing Monday?

On TV innit?

 

[valefan16]

just a general feeling more than any isolated game, carlisle for instance could easily have won that game 0-1. maybe we've turned a corner and did to carlisle what repeatedly happened to us last season, it will just take a few more games to convince me.

just been a few missed chances from opposition, a few cracking saves from ripley, not convinced by our set piece defending despite the success since barnsley, and the teams weve played have not particularly set the world alight despite the start looking really difficult on paper. oxford is a proper test of where we are i think although even then we won't know for another handful of games.

Possibly although should of had another penalty against Carlisle and a good goal ruled out, Garrity should set up a tap in at Blackpool etc so swings and roundabouts and the Ripper is probably just us having a decent goalkeeper after last season’s disaster.

It’s a great start, the new signings look good upgrades and the Blaster looks an immense signing but it’s a form table rather than league table at this stage. We are 20% of the way to safety so it’s about chalking that off as quickly as possible and going from there.

Just nice to be winning games and having a good connection with the players again.

So far positive signs, keepers a huge upgrade, defence seems to be a big upgrade with that hair arsed aerial centre half we desperately needed in the Yak and midfield is light years ahead of last season, main concern is forwards and we could do with addressing that than reliance on the midfield all season but Crosby and the team seem to be spot on up to this stage. 41 league games to go though so see how it progresses as a group. A result of any sort here would be massive for confidence.

 

[SVH]

Why are Cambridge playing Monday?

Live on sky.

 

[Luke Imp]

Don't mind us with our 6th away game already this season.

Bristol Rovers away marked a big change in us last season. Despite winning 6-3 it was the game where Kennedy decided enough was enough, and we couldn't continue as we were with the ridiculous gung-ho, chaotic way and it was a change for the better in the long run when we got used to that way of playing.

We've only fallen behind at Bolton, so we don't really know how we'll react if it happens again. We're not a side who'll suddenly become possession based and work our way back into it like that, we're one who attack in moments and on the counter attack and more than happy for the opposition to have the ball.

5 clean sheets in the opening 7 games for us. We don't create massive amounts every game but I imagine we're one of the most clinical sides in the league so far, that sort of knife edge side where small margins will impact heavily on results.

Walker missed last nights game after picking up an injury in training on Monday and House went off at HT with a knock so potentially both our strikers are out (suspect at least one will be ok). O'Connor also missed last night through illness but whether he was ill or 'ill', we'll see at 11pm tomorrow! Sorenson and Hamilton will come back into the side.

Our last game for two weeks with the postponement of the Oxford game but with what would have been a week gap anyway, I'm not sure that'll change our selection too much.

 

[Laker]

Why are Cambridge playing Monday?

Because we’re BOX OFFICE.

 

[leedsvaliant]

just a general feeling more than any isolated game, carlisle for instance could easily have won that game 0-1. maybe we've turned a corner and did to carlisle what repeatedly happened to us last season, it will just take a few more games to convince me.

just been a few missed chances from opposition, a few cracking saves from ripley, not convinced by our set piece defending despite the success since barnsley, and the teams weve played have not particularly set the world alight despite the start looking really difficult on paper. oxford is a proper test of where we are i think although even then we won't know for another handful of games.

I think that's just the pessimism that comes with being a Vale fan. I often think the same as you and look at what the opposition might have done, but conversely we could have beat Carlisle 3-0 , with a goal that wasn't offside and a first half penalty.

We're also used to it all going tits up, so we often look at all the negative bits as a reason as to how it might happen again. Oxford apparently weren't very good second half and Saturday and nicked it against the run of play, so equally they could look at that and think they could have lost.

I think we'll get beat on Saturday. We are bound to lose at some point, after going 6 without defeat and it just feels like Saturday will be a bridge too far at the moment. Win or a draw would be an excellent result at a hellish ground where we have a horrible record...we never turn up there.

 

[valefan16]

I think that's just the pessimism that comes with being a Vale fan. I often think the same as you and look at what the opposition might have done, but conversely we could have beat Carlisle 3-0 , with a goal that wasn't offside and a first half penalty.

We're also used to it all going tits up, so we often look at all the negative bits as a reason as to how it might happen again. Oxford apparently weren't very good second half and Saturday and nicked it against the run of play, so equally they could look at that and think they could have lost.

I think we'll get beat on Saturday. We are bound to lose at some point, after going 6 without defeat and it just feels like Saturday will be a bridge too far at the moment. Win or a draw would be an excellent result at a hellish ground where we have a horrible record...we never turn up there.

That's it isn't it, you are kind of waiting for the fall and of course it may well happen. At the moment just enjoy the ride and watching a rare talent in a Vale shirt for the short time we have him in Arblaster.

Any result tomorrow would be ok, then we have 5 games we will be fancied in of which 4 are at home so could be a decent confidence boost going into those with momentum (all be it those 5 very winnable games are usually where we'd come unstuck!)

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Carlisle away.

Good news is that Brandon Fleming was signed in time so will most likely start at LWB. Bad news is Ryan Finnigan will have to wait until the Bristol Rovers game on the 16th to make his league debut.

Be interesting to see who Taylor goes with to partner Udoh up top, could be any of Bowman, Mata or Phillips. If I had my choice, think I would go for Phillips here. Feeney has been a colossal at the back so far for us, been one of our best players to date. Him and Dunkley are bullying strikers thus far, hopefully he doesn’t let the Carlisle fans get to him as he’ll no doubt be ridiculed and that he continues to be a rock at the back.

I’m confident we’ll get 3 points here…
Carlisle 0-2 Salop (Perry, Udoh)

 

[leedsvaliant]

Carlisle away.

Good news is that Brandon Fleming was signed in time so will most likely start at LWB. Bad news is Ryan Finnigan will have to wait until the Bristol Rovers game on the 16th to make his league debut.

Be interesting to see who Taylor goes with to partner Udoh up top, could be any of Bowman, Mata or Phillips. If I had my choice, think I would go for Phillips here. Feeney has been a colossal at the back so far for us, been one of our best players to date. Him and Dunkley are bullying strikers thus far, hopefully he doesn’t let the Carlisle fans get to him as he’ll no doubt be ridiculed and that he continues to be a rock at the back.

I’m confident we’ll get 3 points here…
Carlisle 0-2 Salop (Perry, Udoh)

Strange move for Benning to you guys. He was going to sit on the bench for us but seems he's just going to do the same for you.

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Strange move for Benning to you guys. He was going to sit on the bench for us but seems he's just going to do the same for you.

I said from the start that he was never going to be a first team regular when we have Jordan Shipley. Unfortunately Shipley got injured for a few months on Saturday against Fleetwood, but Taylor has moved fast to replace him with Brandon Fleming from Hull City. I agree with you that it’s strange that he’s gone from one bench to the other, especially as he’s only here for a one year deal not a two. It’s either more money, fancied a change, or he just thought that we have more chance of not being in a relegation scrap. Only man who knows will be Benning I guess.

 

[valefan16]

Strange move for Benning to you guys. He was going to sit on the bench for us but seems he's just going to do the same for you.

We told him he wasn’t in our plans. Signed Grant and had good youth options was how Flickers worded it in the statement when he left.

 

[hellogregory]

Well we’ve signed the striker we needed, but not in time for tomorrows game.

Therefore it will likely be Carlisle nil again. If we could get a 0-0 it would be like a win. But I think shrews will score…

Carlisle 0-1 Shrewsbury.

Our season starts after this game.

 

[Tallow]

Shrewsbury at home.
Apparently, we've a full squad to choose from, no injuries.
Andrésson definitely starting in goal, defensively we're not bad overall.
I'm optimistic of a good performance and at least a point.

 

[Luke Imp]

Ouch, we have no strikers in the squad - both House and Walker are out. Captain out as well...!

 

[denzel ecfc]

No strikers to start, a couple on the bench. Rovers are spoilt!

 

[LordJord]

Looking for the almighty mid table clash against Wycombe. Not expecting many goals if any, cue a 4-4 thriller.

 

[CTFCfan99]

We've gone 3-4-3 with 3 out-and-out STs. More or less the same team as Pompey which was our best performance and only point so far. Will today be the day we finally score a goal??

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Looking for the almighty mid table clash against Wycombe. Not expecting many goals if any, cue a 4-4 thriller.

Cant see that being one for the football purists

 

[Strawberry_Jam]

Cant see that being one for the football purists

you'd be surprised. can't see bristol rovers games being one for the human purists, but there we go.

 

[kieran_vale]

Oxford look a really good team so far the way they move it around. Going to have our work cut out in this one.

 

[stevowanderer]

So against the run of play, we’ve been superb for half an hour. Penalty given for a tug on the shirt whilst defending a corner. Probably is a foul but one of those you see not given every single game every single week and our gk was getting fouled at the same time too. Sucker punch

 

[stevowanderer]

Ref has levelled it up by giving us a pen. Right on the edge of the box. Not sure if it was in or out live. Deservedly level. Much better performance than Wigan. Need to kick on second half

 

[LordJord]

We have played some decent stuff today. Conceded a really scrappy goal from a set piece and need to put one of these away. Wycombe look threatening from set pieces.

 

[kieran_vale]

Oxford definitely had most of the play in the half. I think they’re a really good team. That said we’ve maintained our shape overall and done a good defensive job. Doubt we can sustain it for 90 minutes so need to find a way of getting it to stick up top or have an outlet.

 

[valefan16]

Oxford definitely had most of the play in the half. I think they’re a really good team. That said we’ve maintained our shape overall and done a good defensive job. Doubt we can sustain it for 90 minutes so need to find a way of getting it to stick up top or have an outlet.

I’m out but is it a Blackpool performance type?

Sounds like started well but hopefully this is another decent second half performance, think all our goals in the league have come after half time haven’t they?

 

[CTFCfan99]

First time all season I can say we've been the better side - and by some distance too, although Barnsley had a good last 5/10 mins and hit the inside of the post.

We just need a bit of luck in front of goal.

 

[EricSabin]

Battering Wycombe here but lack of quality going forward costing us