The craziest week in Burslem

[valefan16]

What a week it’s been! After nearly losing the club just a few months ago the revolution at club has been staggering and topped off by one of the craziest weeks (and best) in years for the long suffering old girl!

Last Wednesday it begins with global superstar Robbie Williams announcing he is to do a home coming gig at Vale Park... the first gig held since the 80s and absolutely massive for the club.

Saturday we go away to one of the best home sides in the league and win 3-1 in the Cup with Vale support Tom Pope scoring the fastest Vale hatrick since 1934 (8 minutes) equalling legend Martin Foyles post war scoring record.

Monday Vale so often the victim of dire draws at this stage pull out Manchester City which will take in the club big money which has been promised as a war chest to spend in January to help our play off bid.

Tuesday due to the concert Vale announce they will finally after 22 years seat the remaining part of the Lorne Street stand as part of the deal for the concert and add a few more upgrades planned for the next 2-3 years originally.

Robbie Williams then turns up at Vale to meet the press for his gig, before giving the Vale lads a team talk and watching us beat Mansfield on pens adding another 20k and extending our form to 2 losses in 15.

Got to say it’s like I’ve been spiked! Crazy week fellow Valiants and I hope Norman is cringing whilst sucking his lollipop!

Still loads to do but to finally have a buzz about the club again is remarkable considering in April we were threatened with liquidation and the loss of the club we love.

Well done to Mark Porter and of course Carol and Kevin so far. Hopefully we can push on!

 

[Back in the DHSS]

The money from the Man City cup tie will set you up nicely for the January transfer window won’t it. Push for the playoffs perhaps?

 

[valefan16]

The money from the Man City cup tie will set you up nicely for the January transfer window won’t it. Push for the playoffs perhaps?

It will and has been promised to Askey, we need to keep our current form up and stay in the hunt until then, our form overall is outstanding but we’ve had four cup games in that run of wins.

The biggest challenge is keeping hold of Jake Taylor though, he’s under the radar as are we but seven goals I think now from midfield in 8 weeks in his first season of football, he’s a bit special but sadly not ours so Forest could hold a big key to our hopes.

The money will help and maybe push forward our plans a few months but consolidation is still the first aim... with how open the league is and our form through why not go for it? Even if we fall short it’s so far been a fun ride after years of turgid suffering.

 

[Buxton Vale]

Im hoping for a proper left back, although they dont come cheaply

 

[valefan16]

Im hoping for a proper left back, although they dont come cheaply

Maybe go back in for Mitch Clarke? Would fit right in.

 

[Pennywise]

Best goalkeeper in the league.

Best midfielder in the league.

Best winger in the league.

Can't believe I can actually type that and keep a straight face but it's true.

I challenge anybody to find me a better goalkeeper than Scott Brown, better midfielder than Jake Taylor and a better winger than David Worrall.

I'll save you wasting your time. You can't.

Still don't think we have enough to end up in the top 7 come April but we'll give it a damn good go. It's better than years and years of relegation battles and dreadful football and tactics.

I think we'll finish 10th. 2 losses in 15 in all competitions though which clearly shows we're doing something right. Just think a few key injuries or suspensions may hurt us if long term. We've finally got squad depth but I'd be concerned if Montano was out for long, either Smith or Legge got injured or we lose Jake Taylor in January.

 

[Chris FGR]

One of the best sides I've seen tbf. Can see them making a strong run at promotion.

Askey is a top manager imo, did an incredible job at Macc and has already completely revitalised Vale.

 

[Pennywise]

One of the best sides I've seen tbf. Can see them making a strong run at promotion.

Askey is a top manager imo, did an incredible job at Macc and has already completely revitalised Vale.

Funny that, Chris. Even though we beat you and played exceptionally well, you are still one of the best sides I've seen all season. Even though we were brilliant and all over you, you still persisted with playing out from the back and didn't let our performance levels affect the way you wanted to approach the game. Very impressed with you and not surprised at all to see you in the mix again.

 

[valefan16]

Statistically your claim is backed up on Worrall as his stats this season by far outweigh the next best in terms of crossing and has now thrown in a few goals.

Jake Taylor is certainly up there and would walk into any midfield at this level but there in lies the problem if Forest take him back in January and farm him out to a L1 side.

Certainly shows what good management can do with half this squad!

 

[valefan16]

Funny that, Chris. Even though we beat you and played exceptionally well, you are still one of the best sides I've seen all season. Even though we were brilliant and all over you, you still persisted with playing out from the back and didn't let our performance levels affect the way you wanted to approach the game. Very impressed with you and not surprised at all to see you in the mix again.

Was a cracking game, both sides knocking it about, we were excellent first half and had to dig deep second. They tried to play it and got punished by our press but nice to see them have a go rather than park the bus like most sides.

 

[Bottega Don]

Best goalkeeper in the league.

Best midfielder in the league.

Best winger in the league.

Can't believe I can actually type that and keep a straight face but it's true.

I challenge anybody to find me a better goalkeeper than Scott Brown, better midfielder than Jake Taylor and a better winger than David Worrall.

I'll save you wasting your time. You can't.

Still don't think we have enough to end up in the top 7 come April but we'll give it a damn good go. It's better than years and years of relegation battles and dreadful football and tactics.

I think we'll finish 10th. 2 losses in 15 in all competitions though which clearly shows we're doing something right. Just think a few key injuries or suspensions may hurt us if long term. We've finally got squad depth but I'd be concerned if Montano was out for long, either Smith or Legge got injured or we lose Jake Taylor in January.

Its mental with three of the best players in the league you're 9th, how bad must the rest of your team be?

 

[valefan16]

In fairness we’ve really clicked into gear with 6 wins and 2 draws in 9, the away form early season cost us big time but have won 4 out of 5 the only blot being the dire second half at Scunthorpe (and even then the game changer was proven in the end to be a foul).

Long was to go and a lot of work to be done but considering how bad the previous three years under NS have been it’s nice to be enjoying it again.

We are in great form but a good team will ultimately be judged over a whole season.

 

[BlackHaddock]

Its mental with three of the best players in the league you're 9th, how bad must the rest of your team be?

As bad as our lot!

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Best team in the Division, should be walking this league...we're all playing for second spot come May.

 

[Crewelad87]

Vale fans logic really amazes me. Crewe top of the league and Crewe fans getting understandably a little carried away after years of dross. At this point Vale fans berate the Crewe fans as "it's only October" and "it will not last" now Port Vale hit the lofty heights of 9th and they have the best 3 players in the league

 

[Indian Dan]

It’s all bollocks until the end of April.

 

[Trapdoor]

Crewe and Vale are both tinpot nothing sides still mourning the demise of canals as the primary industrial transportation mode. Never fancy a trip to Stoke on a cold tuesday night, or any other night of the week in fact.
#northern #shitholes

 

[Chris FGR]

Stoke/Burslem's not that bad tbf I quite enjoyed going there, some decent pubs good banter. Would especially recommend The Bull's Head. Good cafe near the ground called the Vale Cafe as well, do a nice sausage, egg and chips.

 

[valefan16]

Stoke/Burslem's not that bad tbf I quite enjoyed going there, some decent pubs good banter. Would especially recommend The Bull's Head. Good cafe near the ground called the Vale Cafe as well, do a nice sausage, egg and chips.

Very true, many fans drive up through Longport and dont venture beyond the car park and think its an awful away day... whereas the ones who actually go into Burslem with the superb pubs actually see it for what it actually is.

 

[valefan16]

Vale fans logic really amazes me. Crewe top of the league and Crewe fans getting understandably a little carried away after years of dross. At this point Vale fans berate the Crewe fans as "it's only October" and "it will not last" now Port Vale hit the lofty heights of 9th and they have the best 3 players in the league

To be fair we've not said we've got promotion in the bag in September like your lot.

Scott Brown is probably our best keeper since Goodlad and single handedly kept us in the EFL last season so is highly thought off, is he best in the league? I don't know I only see most keepers once a season, but imagine he is up there...

Worrall is certainly performing and statistically the best so far this season in terms of cross accuracy, he has played a lot at a higher level though so not unexpected, he was sadly wasted by Aspin but JA has got him purring. Shame he got dragged into a pointless ban though.

Taylor is another big claim, hes a kid but scoring lots of goals from midfield and producing the goods... he isn't our player though so may be gone this time next month... hopefully Forest see he is flourishing with us and let him see out the season.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Buzzing to see how Robbie's stage is set up.

 

[valefan16]

Buzzing to see how Robbie's stage is set up.

I envision him walking out of a 60 foot high Cut Out of Tom Pope with flames either side powered by burning Stoke shirts and effigies of the Gallaghers

 

[lordofthepies]

I challenge anybody to find me a better midfielder than Jake Taylor

Tommy Lowery. Ryan Wintle.

It's good to see things picking up for Vale though. I hope both them and The Alex will still be up at the right end of the table at the end of the season.

 

[lordofthepies]

Crewe and Vale are both tinpot nothing sides still mourning the demise of canals as the primary industrial transportation mode. Never fancy a trip to Stoke on a cold tuesday night, or any other night of the week in fact.
#northern #shitholes

You know Crewe was built on the back of the railways, right?

 

[valefan16]

Tommy Lowery. Ryan Wintle.

It's good to see things picking up for Vale though. I hope both them and The Alex will still be up at the right end of the table at the end of the season.

Better than playing each other in a League Two bottom half battle.

 

[JJ1532]

Crewe and Vale are both tinpot nothing sides still mourning the demise of canals as the primary industrial transportation mode. Never fancy a trip to Stoke on a cold tuesday night, or any other night of the week in fact.
#northern #shitholes

Ah yes, Crewe and it's famous canals........

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Ah yes, Crewe and it's famous canals........

The Venice of Cheshire.

 

[Trapdoor]

Next you'll be telling me you dont keep ferrets down your trouser legs.

 

[Fuzzyvalefan]

Next you'll be telling me you dont keep ferrets down your trouser legs.

And you’ll be telling us you don’t pay a fiver for a shit pint of ale!

 

[Andy Proctor]

Brown probably top 3 for keepers in the divison. Worrall statistically is the best and has played at a higher level. Taylor has done well at vale but no way is he the best midfielder in the league danny mayor is the best I'd say.