Tue 11th & Thu 13th February

[BarraMatt]

I mean to be fair, these highlights, or at least our ones, should just be titled Crowley vs Barrow. Could have had 3 great assists, had we been able to finish one easy chance (Gilbey should have left the rebound off the post for Hogan to tap in his second goal) and that offside header from Hogan was also marginal.

He was the best player on the pitch last night.

 

[kieran_vale]

But I thought there was an agenda and it was never a red?

I mean it should never have been given a red but was all about the threshold to overturn it plus the risk of them tagging an extra game on. Wouldn’t have thought that needed an explanation but here we are.

 

[valefan16]

But I thought there was an agenda and it was never a red?

I personally have never said there is an agenda against us for one and it was never a red card in a million years (as virtually everyone on here agrees) but likely wouldn't have been over turned.

Put it this way the Crewe one was ridiculous but wouldn't be shocked if it was upheld.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Yeah, both incidents are never red cards in a million years but unless you've got Premier League levels of revenue, the FA don't give a shit. They'll just accept some convoluted argument from the referee as to why it was a red. They'll probably not even watch the incident.

In my opinion, there needs to be an independent body to decide on these things as the ref is always going to be protected.

And on the agenda against us. I believe I mentioned in the heat of the moment that there must be an agenda against us, because at the time I was incredulous as to why we are constantly on the end of poor, game changing decisions, with very little coming the other way.

For the record, there's no conspiracy against us. We've just had the worst luck this season with officials. As bad as I can remember. Even on Saturday, the build up to Swindons 3rd goal was created by Tolaj being flagged offside when put through...he was at least a yard onside. We probably score from that situation but then Swindon boot the free kick up and score from it.

We've had 1 penalty this season. Most other teams have had at least 2. Notts have had 6! We've had players sent off against us but usually when the game is already won.

Just feels like we're really not getting the rub of the green this season at all.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Makes it stop! Please make it stop!

For the record???? Nobody else needs telling that there is no agenda, no conspiracy, no vendetta. As you said yourself the FA don't give a shit.

 

[valefan16]

Some fans have tried to correlate the bad decisions after the Vale fan chased the referee around the pitch last January after a controversial late penalty against us but I don't buy that theory, they just aren't very good, in this day and age with all the money involved they need to be full time really which may help a bit.

I think one thing that doesn't help us is that we are too honest and don't roll about, clamber round the referee etc., look at the two Chesterfield incidents for example and the reactions different = different outcome... or the Accy red, that is us not being streetwise enough to play the same methods other teams do.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Makes it stop! Please make it stop!

For the record???? Nobody else needs telling that there is no agenda, no conspiracy, no vendetta. As you said yourself the FA don't give a shit.

I was just reiterating because somebody keeps slyly dropping it into posts. As though we truly believe it.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Some fans have tried to correlate the bad decisions after the Vale fan chased the referee around the pitch last January after a controversial late penalty against us but I don't buy that theory, they just aren't very good, in this day and age with all the money involved they need to be full time really which may help a bit.

I think one thing that doesn't help us is that we are too honest and don't roll about, clamber round the referee etc., look at the two Chesterfield incidents for example and the reactions different = different outcome... or the Accy red, that is us not being streetwise enough to play the same methods other teams do.

We don't and it annoys me. If other teams are gaining competitive advantage from it then we've got to join in. Reckon it's worth a few points in a season.

I'm not sure whether Moore particularly likes it, he seems an honest guy who very rarely grumbles about decisions. Crosby didn't engage in it either. I don't think the fans like any of that shithousery either. ...there was some annoyance over Paton winding up the Accy crowd and I've heard our fans tell our own players to 'get on with it'.

We've dabbled here and there but we need to be doing that shit like the Accy player flopping about like a fish. I think that's the only way we might see decisions go more in our favour.

It's not in the spirit of the game but that was lost a long time ago.

 

[valefan16]

We don't and it annoys me. If other teams are gaining competitive advantage from it then we've got to join in. Reckon it's worth a few points in a season.

I'm not sure whether Moore particularly likes it, he seems an honest guy who very rarely grumbles about decisions. Crosby didn't engage in it either. I don't think the fans like any of that shithousery either. ...there was some annoyance over Paton winding up the Accy crowd and I've heard our fans tell our own players to 'get on with it'.

We've dabbled here and there but we need to be doing that shit like the Accy player flopping about like a fish. I think that's the only way we might see decisions go more in our favour.

It's not in the spirit of the game but that was lost a long time ago.

Game has changed, the Notts fans moaning about Morecambe fouling Jones for example... can you imagine Griff under Micky Adams used to always put a reducer in on Crewe first couple of minutes to see if they fancied it! Becoming a referee with Birchall isn't he which will be interesting!

 

[leedsvaliant]

Headley potentially injured which isn't great. Our form has improved since the team has looked more balanced with him at lwb.

 

[valefan16]

Headley potentially injured which isn't great. Our form has improved since the team has looked more balanced with him at lwb.

Be a blow as Shorrock isn't ready in my view, i'd rather recall Plant from Yeovil as have no other options with Clark and Sang out, that said Shorrock did play at Meadow Lane and did ok, I don't overly mind Hart at LWB (just not at LCB!)

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Game has changed, the Notts fans moaning about Morecambe fouling Jones for example... can you imagine Griff under Micky Adams used to always put a reducer in on Crewe first couple of minutes to see if they fancied it! Becoming a referee with Birchall isn't he which will be interesting!

I wish it was just Morecambe

 

[valefan16]

I wish it was just Morecambe

Yeah but thats it, 10-15 years ago you'd be actively going for a reducer in games, Cant expect teams to let him wander through I suppose, I recall us playing Barnet away, we absolutely battered Edgar Davids for 90 minutes under MA (still ran the show mind!) whereas now its seen as a disgrace.

 

[kieran_vale]

Certainly a blow if Headley is out. Hopefully it’s just a whack he took off someone. Do wonder what we do in training at times as we seem to get an awful lot of people getting knocks in leadups to games. Maybe it’s more frequent than I realise but could do without him missing time.

More concerned about the notion we are thinking of bringing in Debrah. Yes he did well against Jatta (sorry Gambian Prince) last time but he is clearly a very good player and Debrah well isn’t.

 

[valefan16]

Certainly a blow if Headley is out. Hopefully it’s just a whack he took off someone. Do wonder what we do in training at times as we seem to get an awful lot of people getting knocks in leadups to games. Maybe it’s more frequent than I realise but could do without him missing time.

More concerned about the notion we are thinking of bringing in Debrah. Yes he did well against Jatta (sorry Gambian Prince) last time but the he is clearly a very good player and Debrah well isn’t.

Debrah has pace so could be with that in mind? If we get Jesse from early season it will be fine but was off it last few appearances. Smith be in the middle then.

 

[mozzavale]

But I thought there was an agenda and it was never a red?

Are you saying it was a red?

When appealing you have to weigh up the risks. They could do the usual half a brain cell thing of pausing the video to make a decision based on a still photo, or watch it in real time to show contact was almost non existent. If they reject it, a 4 game ban could become 5.

Not appealing, doesn't necessarily mean you believe it was a red. Consider your audience...they're not the brightest.

 

[RavenBish]

Sounding like we might be without Whitaker, McGoldrick and Jones tomorrow - which is not good. We seem to get more injuries in training than Spurs.

Let’s see if Maynard can conjure up some real toxic away from home smash and grab, just play our best counter-pressers, go man for man and hope Big AJ bundles one in

We also of course have the benefit of the anti-Vale agenda on our side.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Sounding like we might be without Whitaker, McGoldrick and Jones tomorrow - which is not good. We seem to get more injuries in training than Spurs.

Let’s see if Maynard can conjure up some real toxic away from home smash and grab, just play our best counter-pressers, go man for man and hope Big AJ bundles one in

We also of course have the benefit of the anti-Vale agenda on our side.

I’m hoping there’s some sort of 4d mind games going on with the injuries, cos having all those 3 out would be difficult. It’s always the inform ones innit?

 

[jacobncfc]

I’m hoping there’s some sort of 4d mind games going on with the injuries, cos having all those 3 out would be difficult. It’s always the inform ones innit?

We’re being really unlucky with injuries randomly hitting specific positions in one go. Was that point when we basically couldn’t field a proper striker for a couple of games, the month when we had no wing backs at all, and now it’s everyone who might create something being struck down.

 

[leedsvaliant]

I'd take all injury talk with a pinch of salt. I think sometimes it's to keep the opposition guessing. I expect Jones and McGoldrick to play.

 

[RavenBish]

Joao Alves to put his boots on and score a hat-trick

 

[valefan16]

We’re being really unlucky with injuries randomly hitting specific positions in one go. Was that point when we basically couldn’t field a proper striker for a couple of games, the month when we had no wing backs at all, and now it’s everyone who might create something being struck down.

We had one fit central midfielder for two months pretty much and now have one natural wing back… killed our form until NYD.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I am reliably informed that our head coach has not done the mind games course yet. Well he is part time after all.

Annoying but expected if one out plain bad luck if two out but if all three creative talents are unavailable it's a piss take. Reminiscence of crewe away where we had no attacking options or threat and lost one nil.

 

[Dan Phillips]

Fully expecting all three to start tonight then.

 

[valefan16]

No point getting too up on who starts who doesn't really, if we want to get automatic we probably need a win tonight so have to focus on ourselves.

We went to Meadow line and had a kid at LWB, no Byers, Stockley wasn't able to start and won so on a given day injuries or not Notts County are capable of beating us and we are capable of beating them.

Feels pivotal for us tonight and a huge huge game so have to be really fired up from the start and put in a big performance. Ideally like the last televised Thursday night fixture at Vale Park!

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Draw or Notts win please.

 

[mozzavale]

I'm not seeing tonight as must win. Its a big game sure, but it's February. A lot can happen still. Win would be great, draw would be ok. Lose wouldn't mean the play offs is the best we can hope for.

In the 21/22 season we lost v Colchester on 5th March, our 33rd game, and ended the day in 10th. We went up through the play offs but basically threw automatic promotion away in the end, it was ours for the taking.

Long way to go yet whatever happens.

 

[GTFCfish]

I think one thing that doesn't help us is that we are too honest and don't roll about, clamber round the referee etc.

I would have said exactly the same for us up to around a year or 2 back but now we’ve learned to do the dark arts a bit too and even though I absolutely hate to see it I’m all for us doing it because nearly every other fucker does so I see it as why should we not too?

A pretty sad indictment of the state of the current game but there you go.

 

[valefan16]

I would have said exactly the same for us up to around a year or 2 back but now we’ve learned to do the dark arts a bit too and even though I absolutely hate to see it I’m all for us doing it because nearly every other fucker does so I see it as why should we not too?

A pretty sad indictment of the state of the current game but there you go.

Was this debate on our POD after the Swindon game when Smith put his head against Hall, had Hall gone down rolled about a bit would it have got him in trouble? Maybe but we were too honest and the view was if everyone else does it we have to do it to avoid a disadvantage but its not something we'd want to see in the game full stop.

 

[valefan16]

I'm not seeing tonight as must win. Its a big game sure, but it's February. A lot can happen still. Win would be great, draw would be ok. Lose wouldn't mean the play offs is the best we can hope for.

In the 21/22 season we lost v Colchester on 5th March, our 33rd game, and ended the day in 10th. We went up through the play offs but basically threw automatic promotion away in the end, it was ours for the taking.

Long way to go yet whatever happens.

True, it was Match Day 34 when we still had 50 points so are well ahead this season on 29 played with 49 points (4 points better off than this stage now than that season).

That did involve a mad run from MD34-42 inclusive with 8 wins and a draw though, then we obviously bottled it losing 3 in a row after being 5 points clear of 4th after that run and had to win at Exeter to keep in the Play Offs!

So in Theory 1 point in the next 4 and we'd still be level with that sides trajectory.