Saturday 14th December

[mozzavale]

The liner had a great view. Having his view blocked is just a lie. And even then, if he's admitting the player blocked his view if the ball, the fact his whole body is in the goal tells you all you need to know. So if this is a competence issue, he's fucking thick giving that as his excuse.

Still fucking raging. These things don't even themselves out either. As was mentioned above we had the joke of a penalty not given away at Stevenage last season. The penalty against us v Portsmouth. We had the goal not given the season before v Accrington. Its a catalogue of atrocious decisions against us with hardly anything going the other way.

That yesterday was the straw that broke the camels back. It's cheating. No other explanation for it.

 

[gary]

Didn’t go yesterday but sounds like it was a professional performance from us doing what we needed to do against a side that were unbeaten in their last 5 including games against Crewe & Doncaster.

Markanday though seriously, pay the Blackburn what they want… what a player. Goalkeeper should do better with his goal but he just oozes class & a constant threat, especially once he comes inside on that left foot. I’m consigned to losing him in Jan as he is far too good for this level & there’s been rumours floating round for weeks now that Blackburn plan to recall him, so we should probably just try to enjoy him whilst he’s here. Was glad to see Grigg score again aswell after Dobra chased Hayden down & put him under pressure in his own box who eventually made a mistake, and then Grigg did what Grigg does & finished from about 10 yards out.

That’s us up to 6th now, which considering the current injury list isn’t bad going at all, just got to keep trying to tick them off & stay in and around the mix until we get our injured lads back and then have a real push second half of the season.

Sounds like us at Wimbledon. Trying to pick up points until our injured player's come back. We currently have about a third of our squad injured mainly midfield player's. Despite that we played well against Doncaster yesterday and deserved to win.

 

[Son of Cod]

Utterly dominant defensive display from Crewe yesterday, fair play to them. Is Lee Bell the best manager in the division right now? I think he probably is.

As has been said, a reality check for us. I think most of us are happy to see steady progression. Once we figure out beating the better sides we'll be a very good side. Hopefully that happens before now and the end of the season and we can really kick on next season.

Didn’t need to defend that day as you lot never touched the ball.

A bit of weird revisionist history on our overachieving at the start of the year, we were generally pretty good but I think everyone rightly noted we were beating poor teams (like Grimsby), cracks started showing against Gills and Vale at home when we were probably the better side on both occasions but Maynard came up short tactically, that obviously coincided with League 2’s Player of the Year breaking his leg - so our recent struggles are easier to explain than simply luck/kismet/the cosmic balance

Oh is Jodi Jones injured? I don't think any of you have mentioned that.

The reason you've slipped down the table isn't because Jones is injured pal. It's the same as the reasons that explain why didn't go up last season and why you won't this season. You haven't successfully addressed the inefficiencies of your previous two managers. You were weak as piss in the middle of the park under Burchnall and you still are and you couldn't defend for shit under Williamson and you still can't. If you think you weren't open against us then you're as deluded as any Town that thinks we weren't battered (of which there are none by the way). I'm assuming you've not forgotten the part when we scored? A more clinical side than us would have bagged a couple more.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Do Vale fans really think they’re the only ones to be fucked over this season by absolutely atrocious officiating?

I get the anger, I’ve been there plenty of times so far this season, and it’s a common theme amongst most teams every single week at this level, so we’ve all been there really.

Just part & parcel of it isn’t it, until they sort these refs out and start holding them to account properly, the shite standard will continue. Most of them have got a chip on their shoulder and a power trip, they love being talked about. When they ref it well, no one mentions them do they.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

He just strikes me as a man who's best managerial days are behind him.
As to next week it's a very big game for us. We've a pretty good record against you but we look entirely capable of never winning again the way we're playing, we've slipped into being that bad.
I've watched us scrape draws at Swindon and Morecambe by being gritty but unconvincing to now looking entirely toothless at Crewe and Salford and were now shipping goals. The players played with no belief today, they looked second best all over the pitch.

I’d expect a much better level of performance against Bradford, whether that translates into any points or not is doubtful because it often hasn’t this season.

Those 3 games over Christmas look like a bloodbath. Gulp.

 

[Kauto Star]

We had an XG of 0.03, touched the ball twice in the Opposition box and that's with 4 strikers on the pitch. If he's encouraged by that, well expectations are lower than a snakes belly.

I was impressed with Ryan Delaney at the back though, handled Andy Cook very well

 

[Kauto Star]

Olay olay, olay olay, DILAN MARKANDAY

He looks a good player for sure on what I've seen of you this season

 

[Kauto Star]

Utterly dominant defensive display from Crewe yesterday, fair play to them. Is Lee Bell the best manager in the division right now? I think he probably is.

As has been said, a reality check for us. I think most of us are happy to see steady progression. Once we figure out beating the better sides we'll be a very good side. Hopefully that happens before now and the end of the season and we can really kick on next season.


Oh is Jodi Jones injured? I don't think any of you have mentioned that.

The reason you've slipped down the table isn't because Jones is injured pal. It's the same as the reasons that explain why didn't go up last season and why you won't this season. You haven't successfully addressed the inefficiencies of your previous two managers. You were weak as piss in the middle of the park under Burchnall and you still are and you couldn't defend for shit under Williamson and you still can't. If you think you weren't open against us then you're as deluded as any Town that thinks we weren't battered (of which there are none by the way). I'm assuming you've not forgotten the part when we scored? A mor
e clinical side than us would have bagged a couple more.

I agree about Lee Bell, would love him at Bradford City.

Chasing promotion playing nice on the eye football, what's not to like.

 

[Agombar stool]

I was impressed with Ryan Delaney at the back though, handled Andy Cook very well

I think the 'plan' was to play Delaney who is slower than a week in isolation, but great in the air alongside Sobowale, who isn't a CB but is fast. Amazingly Cook hasn't scored in 8 games against us so we've generally worked him out.

Unfortunately it was Sobowale who's terrible defending gave you the winning goal.

 

[dannyc5]

Utterly dominant defensive display from Crewe yesterday, fair play to them. Is Lee Bell the best manager in the division right now? I think he probably is.

As has been said, a reality check for us. I think most of us are happy to see steady progression. Once we figure out beating the better sides we'll be a very good side. Hopefully that happens before now and the end of the season and we can really kick on next season.


Oh is Jodi Jones injured? I don't think any of you have mentioned that.

The reason you've slipped down the table isn't because Jones is injured pal. It's the same as the reasons that explain why didn't go up last season and why you won't this season. You haven't successfully addressed the inefficiencies of your previous two managers. You were weak as piss in the middle of the park under Burchnall and you still are and you couldn't defend for shit under Williamson and you still can't. If you think you weren't open against us then you're as deluded as any Town that thinks we weren't battered (of which there are none by the way). I'm assuming you've not forgotten the part when we scored? A more clinical side than us would have bagged a couple more.

Had a browse on your forum this morning. Grimsby fans seem like a reasonable and knowledgeable bunch, giving credit where credit is due. Complete contrast to the unhinged headloss from Walsall and Notts County fans in recent weeks.

I'm sorry to say, I thought you were toothless yesterday. It didn't surprise me, because I'm obviously aware of your struggles at home, particularly against the promotion chasing teams. Artell doesn't seem to know/have worked out how to transition from how he sets you up away from home to how he sets you up at home. You were so open on a number of occasions in the 2nd half in complete contrast to the 1st half, and it was unnecessary and played into our hands. I suspect your 1st half performance was reminiscent to what you see away from home. Artell should have been pragmatic and realised a point was a good result for you. And who knows, you may have nicked a winner (as could we).

 

[Cloudy]

Had a browse on your forum this morning. Grimsby fans seem like a reasonable and knowledgeable bunch, giving credit where credit is due. Complete contrast to the unhinged headloss from Walsall and Notts County fans in recent weeks.

I'm sorry to say, I thought you were toothless yesterday. It didn't surprise me, because I'm obviously aware of your struggles at home, particularly against the promotion chasing teams. Artell doesn't seem to know/have worked out how to transition from how he sets you up away from home to how he sets you up at home. You were so open on a number of occasions in the 2nd half in complete contrast to the 1st half, and it was unnecessary and played into our hands. I suspect your 1st half performance was reminiscent to what you see away from home. Artell should have been pragmatic and realised a point was a good result for you. And who knows, you may have nicked a winner (as could we).

Already posted that Crewe were very good defensively, and thoroughly deserved the points. Not sure I’d agree that we were so open in the 2nd half, yes, you scored two goals and our keeper tipped a long shot over the bar but the stats suggest you had 5 attempts 2nd half to our nine.

Our home form is undoubtedly a concern, it seems a confidence thing, which is to be expected when you lose 6 out of 7 at home. The loss of Obikwu in the first half removed any home of getting in behind, as we lack pace to stretch the game once Rose came on. Too many of our players were passengers yesterday, especially the ( supposedly) more creative attacking players. I’d credit Crewe with that not just our players having off days

 

[leedsvaliant]

The linesman didn't give the goal because we'd given him some stick over some really poor decisions. I'm almost certain that's why he didn't give it. Anything else he has said has proven to be a lie. The ref had a great view of the handball too, what did he think he kept it out with? His cock?

 

[dannyc5]

Already posted that Crewe were very good defensively, and thoroughly deserved the points. Not sure I’d agree that we were so open in the 2nd half, yes, you scored two goals and our keeper tipped a long shot over the bar but the stats suggest you had 5 attempts 2nd half to our nine.

Our home form is undoubtedly a concern, it seems a confidence thing, which is to be expected when you lose 6 out of 7 at home. The loss of Obikwu in the first half removed any home of getting in behind, as we lack pace to stretch the game once Rose came on. Too many of our players were passengers yesterday, especially the ( supposedly) more creative attacking players. I’d credit Crewe with that not just our players having off days

I meant open in transition, unlike the 1st half.

 

[Grimsby Road]

His best days are behind him but yesterday Swindon were awful and we were not much better. I remember the Summerbee, Rogers Swindon team and to see that is sad. Swindon like us and yourselves should not be in this division but deserve to be because of diabolical past or present owners.

I would be suprised if Swindon are in this division next time out tbh

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I was impressed with Ryan Delaney at the back though, handled Andy Cook very well

Undoubtably his best game for us

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I would be suprised if Swindon are in this division next time out tbh

Promotion? It’s a bit of a stretch even for us

 

[Conker]

The pitch comment from Maynard post match is not a good sign.

 

[jacobncfc]

The pitch comment from Maynard post match is not a good sign.

Particularly as it had no relation to what actually happened. He seemed to be suggesting he wanted us to be more direct because of the pitch, but we obviously didn’t do that, partly because he played Crowley really deep again which encourages us to play even more short passes around the edge of our own box.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

I meant open in transition, unlike the 1st half.

Yep, spot on. The signs were all there that you could punish us if we lost possession with the midfield exposed. Curtis Thompson wasn't at his best but first half he was at least effective enough at slowing your very slick transitions. He started the second like his was running in treacle. If Thompson had the ability to last 90 he wouldn't be playing for us.

Evan Khouri is much more dynamic and quicker over turf, but not quite yet got Thompsons upper body strength or rather the ability to position himself to use it, but if he'd been on instead of Thompson maybe the second goal doesn't happen.

 

[GTFCfish]

If you think you weren't open against us then you're as deluded as any Town that thinks we weren't battered (of which there are none by the way). I'm assuming you've not forgotten the part when we scored? A more clinical side than us would have bagged a couple more.

Yep that day despite getting battered we could and should have easily scored 3 or 4 ourselves with great chances, Vernam missed a 1 on 1 and then another good chance at the start of the second half and Danny Rose missed with a pretty much open goal header late on as well as other decent chances throughout, Notts fans suggesting we created nothing are clueless but to be fair the Notts fans on here are pretty much a bunch of odd balls anyway, one or two of them are sound but quite a few of them are complete freaks.

 

[dannyc5]

Yep that day despite getting battered we could and should have easily scored 3 or 4 ourselves with great chances, Vernam missed a 1 on 1 and then another good chance at the start of the second half and Danny Rose missed with a pretty much open goal header late on as well as other decent chances throughout, Notts fans suggesting we created nothing are clueless but to be fair the Notts fans on here are pretty much a bunch of odd balls anyway, one or two of them are sound but quite a few of them are complete freaks.

I watched the 1st half of that game. It could have been about 6-3 at half time, from memory.

 

[GTFCfish]

I watched the 1st half of that game. It could have been about 6-3 at half time, from memory.

Yep that’s correct and then we had 5-10 minutes at the start of the second half where we were all over them and I actually fancied us to push it quite close but then they got another fluke goal with a deflection which killed it off. By full time it should probably have been about 8-4.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Notts fans on here are pretty much a bunch of odd balls anyway, one or two of them are sound but quite a few of them are complete freaks.

It’s not just on here..

 

[Grimsby Road]

Promotion? It’s a bit of a stretch even for us

It doesn't even matter what league you are in does it , you just need a change of ownership .

Holloway is a convenient smokescreen , he's almost like a jester or town crier brought in to divert attention by Morfuni.

I hope things improve off the pitch for Swindon no fans of their clubs deserve the seemingly epidemic of bad ownership throughout the leagues and non league .

 

[Grimsby Road]

Had a browse on your forum this morning. Grimsby fans seem like a reasonable and knowledgeable bunch, giving credit where credit is due. Complete contrast to the unhinged headloss from Walsall and Notts County fans in recent weeks.

I'm sorry to say, I thought you were toothless yesterday. It didn't surprise me, because I'm obviously aware of your struggles at home, particularly against the promotion chasing teams. Artell doesn't seem to know/have worked out how to transition from how he sets you up away from home to how he sets you up at home. You were so open on a number of occasions in the 2nd half in complete contrast to the 1st half, and it was unnecessary and played into our hands. I suspect your 1st half performance was reminiscent to what you see away from home. Artell should have been pragmatic and realised a point was a good result for you. And who knows, you may have nicked a winner (as could we).

Pretty much what I thought , I said that at half time just try to take 0-0 because if you got ahead we were never coming back . We need to be a bit more streetwise against the better teams - does Artell even have that in his locker though ? Did he ever try just play out a draw with you at any point?

 

[dannyc5]

Pretty much what I thought , I said that at half time just try to take 0-0 because if you got ahead we were never coming back . We need to be a bit more streetwise against the better teams - does Artell even have that in his locker though ? Did he ever try just play out a draw with you at any point?

On the whole, he tried to win games. Especially in our promotion season, when he played 433 every week and went at every team we played.

He attempted pragmatism in the season we got relegated from League 1, but it was a complete disaster. He made some bonkers decisions, such as Mika Mandron at RWB. Artell is at his best when trying to win games. It took him about 2 seasons with us to find the right formula.

 

[Wootball]

On the whole, he tried to win games. Especially in our promotion season, when he played 433 every week and went at every team we played.

He attempted pragmatism in the season we got relegated from League 1, but it was a complete disaster. He made some bonkers decisions, such as Mika Mandron at RWB. Artell is at his best when trying to win games. It took him about 2 seasons with us to find the right formula.

He reminds me of Newcastle era Keegan for this. When he was at his peak with us, it didn't matter what opponents played. It wasn't even particularly tactical. It was 'this is my best 11, go out there and give them hell'. I'm not saying he's a poor tactician, but he's much better suited to just going at the opposition instead of trying to play against them.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I'm sure under Artell in the relegation season we played at least 18 different players at wing back which was hilarious. It could even be more than that given how big our squad was.

But yeah he was never one for Davis like tactics of going 1-0 up and sitting behind the ball. If anything, a key weakness of Artell's teams was they failed to kill games off despite creating tons of chances in seemingly every game when times were good under him. We'd then often concede the first or second shot on target we faced but that was down to Artell devaluing the role of a goalkeeper. Makes you think how good we could've been under him at our peak if we didn't have crap like Richards and Jaaskelainen or a declining Ben Garratt in net.

 

[David Curries Mullet]

The team it happened against is irrelevant, the motive for match fixing isn't to piss off Vale fans. The naivety to think match fixing doesn't happen, is staggering. Don't pretend you don't know what the motivations are for a few reactions. It's been proven time and time again throughout the life of football. Have a chuckle at our expense like good little school children, but yesterday's incident should alarm all football fans.

At best, 2 officials simultaneously missed 4 clear chances to award either a penalty or a goal during the same incident. Missed one, or, two, I'd get it. But 2 people missing all 4 has to raise serious questions. The chances of that happening are ridiculous.

To be fair, if you are match fixing the last thing you do is make 4 contentious decisions over 1 incident, drawing major scrutiny to it. There would have to be a lot of money at stake, which i'm guessing for Bromley v Port Vale would be a bit of a Red Flag. Tends to be cards or corners nowadays anyway doesn't it? Still, the world loves a conspiracy theory these days.

Imagine the meltdown though if the referee turned up at Vale later in the season, driving a Bentley.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Whatever the motives were for the linesman, this wasn't an honest mistake. It was a purposeful decision and my suspicion is that it was made to stick 2 fingers up at those who were giving him abuse. Surely officials must accept that they're going to get criticised but you still have to play to the laws of the game and not just make stuff up because you've got a vendetta.

After a poor run of form, that could have been the turning point for us and there's no other way of putting it, we've been cheated.