Tues 19th & Sat 23rd September

[leedsvaliant]

Thought we were the better team first half but our subs weakened us. We didn't have a striker on the bench and it showed, with Massey missing a really good chance but he's a wing back not a striker.

Cambridge looked a decent side, it's no accident that they have started well. Can't help but think that if we were a bit more clinical we could have walked away with 3 points though. Conceding off yet another cross is becoming a bit tedious.

Special mention for the referee who probably got the penalty right but very little else. He barely gave us a decision, very much a homer.

Still, we will always be happy with a point away from home against a team in pretty good form.

 

[The Terminator]

Shrewsbury will consider themselves unlucky, after putting us under pressure and having a few chances in the first 25mins, one of which forced Brynn into a good 1v1 save - We then managed to score with our first meaningful attack.

After we scored we calmed the game down and the win was very similar to how we won alot of games last season, playing the ball around slowly and being patient with it.

Second half despite Shrewsbury throwing the sink at us and there being one or two scrambles, the only clear cut chance they forced was a header from Flanagan at the end which Brynn saved, I thought we looked good on the break and like in previous games with a bit more care there was certainly a second in there for us with the openings and chances we created ourselves.

Shrewsbury reminded me a bit of ourselves, need to score when on top in games and struggle a bit to get themselves back into games when on the back foot. Didn't think they was a terrible side though.

 

[Brox]

Pretty comfortable win in the end but we didn't have everything our own way. In the middle third Cheltenham were very much in the game and were pretty unfortunate not to level. Outside of that we were largely in charge, the first 30 was controlled pretty well without creating too many clear cut chances, the last 30 minutes it felt like we could score every time we broke forward with the introduction of Elliott List having the desired effect.

Really happy for List, after a year out great for him to get a couple of goals and will be pushing for a start next week vs Oxford.

 

[nelsonpfc]

Made heavy work of that v Lincoln, although should have put the game to bed alot earlier. In the start that Poole scores the winner. Lincoln look a handy side though, could have snatched a draw near the end and defended pretty well through the whole match. We need to get our injuried players back as we struggle to see games out with only 1 fit forward

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Good game, fair result, obviously annoying to miss a last minute penalty but as said Vale could have been two up before we got one.

Two teams who should be comfortably mid-table. Biggest problem for us is we have a lot of players who are great off the bench but aren't/won't be effective from the start.

 

[SVH]

Yeah, gutted not to win it with the last minute penalty but a point each was a fair result.

Two good teams going at it but we weren’t our clinical self in the first 60 mins and were a little sloppy in our build up play. I thought the Port Vale number 10 and 18 were very tidy players.

Both teams won’t have any relegation fears this season that is for certain.

 

[AmberAndy]

Not sure the ref was a Homer he gave us nothing apart from the penalty. Just generally poor I reckon. Happy with a point, but it should really have been 3 with the penalty, but that would be harsh on Vale who look a nice tidy team, move the ball well, and are competitive all over the field. Decent game with the right result.

 

[AmberAndy]

Forgot to say Arblaster for Vale looked a quality player.

 

[codaplenty]

No worries. Only allowed to sign one though so thats yer lot

He gave away a stone wall penalty so things can only get better !

 

[valefan16]

Forgot to say Arblaster for Vale looked a quality player.

Said it a few times he’s probably one of the best I’ve seen since we dropped out the second tier in 2000 for all the fuss about us signing Devine on loan Arblaster looks a far better player currently.

 

[codaplenty]

FFS I thought I'd accidently logged on to the PV board.

Your going well mate and good to see Paddy Lane on score sheet. Is he now settling down and proving what a good player he is for you lads. Still wish we had him but need the money.....

 

[leedsvaliant]

Not sure the ref was a Homer he gave us nothing apart from the penalty. Just generally poor I reckon. Happy with a point, but it should really have been 3 with the penalty, but that would be harsh on Vale who look a nice tidy team, move the ball well, and are competitive all over the field. Decent game with the right result.

We've certainly got much better players with the ball than we've had for some time but we just don't put teams to the sword when we're on top. A Portsmouth, Bolton or Oxford go in 3-0 up at half time. Our struggle with crosses means we were always susceptible. Thought our goal was terrific, with a great ball into Chislett who turned brilliantly and then played a perfectly weighted pass to Garrity.

Once again, I thought we looked the better team technically but there's more than one way to skin a cat and Bonner has you organised and with a clear style that obviously works. Not many teams will take points off you at home.

Your substitutes gave you a bit of a boost whereas ours made us poorer if anything. We didn't have a striker on the bench to bring on and it showed.

Maybe it was just a bit of a biased perception on my part but it felt like the ref gave you a free kick every time you went down but barely anything to us.

Arblaster will play for England seniors one day. He's the best player we've had since the 90s. Only 19 I think too!

 

[shoddycollins]

Conspired to gift Derby two goals, offered no cutting edge, drew another blank.

This takeover needs to go through, pronto. January will be make or break for us - presuming we're not already out of touch by then.

I'm not too worried. I think we've enough to finish comfortably mid table. I actually thought derby deserved the win too, though only narrowly. 2-0 flattered them and while they spent most of the game sitting back and sitting on the ground pretending to be injured they were well on top for the first 20 minutes and we never matched that.

 

[FarehamPompey]

Good game today. Pompey playing some lovely football to get forward. Norris’ kicking is outstanding too. Lincoln always looked a bit dangerous but i’d say we dominated the game after their opening goal.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Good game today. Pompey playing some lovely football to get forward. Norris’ kicking is outstanding too. Lincoln always looked a bit dangerous but i’d say we dominated the game after their opening goal.

Good start by Pompey. I know you had a really good start last season but fell away quite badly...I'm presuming the team feels a bit different this time around?

 

[FarehamPompey]

Good start by Pompey. I know you had a really good start last season but fell away quite badly...I'm presuming the team feels a bit different this time around?

Yes definitely. We have a much better squad. Eg. today, I wouldnt have been surprised or complained if any of those on the bench were in the starting 11. Seem to control games much better too. As long as Bishop stays fit I think we’ll be up there. Striker is the only position we arent flush with.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Good game today. Pompey playing some lovely football to get forward. Norris’ kicking is outstanding too. Lincoln always looked a bit dangerous but i’d say we dominated the game after their opening goal.

Norris looked a bit dodgy with commanding his area esp 2nd half.

Agreed you played some good stuff. Always frustrating to lose a game after going 1-0 up, but fully expected

 

[Moonie]

I'm not too worried. I think we've enough to finish comfortably mid table. I actually thought derby deserved the win too, though only narrowly. 2-0 flattered them and while they spent most of the game sitting back and sitting on the ground pretending to be injured they were well on top for the first 20 minutes and we never matched that.

They played some nice stuff early on, but struggled with us once we shifted Mellish into midfield and went four at the back. We had some spells of decent buildup play but just couldn't seem to find that final ball.

What worries me is that this seems to be the story every week. It's almost, nearly, but not quite...

 

[codaplenty]

Well we've doubled our points tally for the season so far so things are certainly looking up lol. A draw was almost nailed on for this match and sure both teams will take positives from this
So you heard it first on this forum Fleetwood and Burton Albion will be in league 1/2 next season....

 

[Pompeyblueboy]

Your going well mate and good to see Paddy Lane on score sheet. Is he now settling down and proving what a good player he is for you lads. Still wish we had him but need the money.....

He had a good game today. I reckon he'll be very good player for us

 

[codaplenty]

He had a good game today. I reckon he'll be very good player for us

Great news for all concerned

 

[hellogregory]

Hmm my optimism is really starting to drift.

We’re not actually doing much wrong, we played alright today. The problem is that what we’re doing well simply isn’t good enough to gain enough points in this league. It’s just a glaring lack of quality, particularly the attacking side.

I keep seeing “it’s still early days” yes it is, but it’s 9 games in, if we go another 9 games barely able to win a game we’ll be almost half way through the season. It’s not as if we’re playing badly and waiting to hit form. This is our form! No idea how we turn it around tbh.

 

[Gassy]

Hmm my optimism is really starting to drift.

We’re not actually doing much wrong, we played alright today. The problem is that what we’re doing well simply isn’t good enough to gain enough points in this league. It’s just a glaring lack of quality, particularly the attacking side.

I keep seeing “it’s still early days” yes it is, but it’s 9 games in, if we go another 9 games barely able to win a game we’ll be almost half way through the season. It’s not as if we’re playing badly and waiting to hit form. This is our form! No idea how we turn it around tbh.

Play defensive, shut up shop and time waste. Basically the old Wycombe & Shrewsbury way. You might even get play offs if you do

 

[leedsvaliant]

Play defensive, shut up shop and time waste. Basically the old Wycombe & Shrewsbury way. You might even get play offs if you do

Burton did what you should be doing to us on Tuesday. Scored 3 of basically their only chances, put 10 men behind the ball and wasted time as much as possible. Goalkeeper lay down for 2 minutes, taking 40 seconds to take a throw in, pretend that you haven't seen a ball when it's thrown back on the pitch. They're toss but they'll pick up plenty of scabby wins doing it that way. In your situation you have to do whatever it takes, including downright cheating. It's horrible for your opposition but who cares?

 

[Gassy]

Burton did what you should be doing to us on Tuesday. Scored 3 of basically their only chances, put 10 men behind the ball and wasted time as much as possible. Goalkeeper lay down for 2 minutes, taking 40 seconds to take a throw in, pretend that you haven't seen a ball when it's thrown back on the pitch. They're toss but they'll pick up plenty of scabby wins doing it that way. In your situation you have to do whatever it takes, including downright cheating. It's horrible for your opposition but who cares?

Assuming you mean the Carlisle fan?

 

[leedsvaliant]

Assuming you mean the Carlisle fan?

Yeah sorry, I should have made that clear.

 

[valefan16]

Burton did what you should be doing to us on Tuesday. Scored 3 of basically their only chances, put 10 men behind the ball and wasted time as much as possible. Goalkeeper lay down for 2 minutes, taking 40 seconds to take a throw in, pretend that you haven't seen a ball when it's thrown back on the pitch. They're toss but they'll pick up plenty of scabby wins doing it that way. In your situation you have to do whatever it takes, including downright cheating. It's horrible for your opposition but who cares?

I think momentum is key, Vale, Rovers and Exeter all seemed to ride the wave from promotion into the new campaign and had decent first half of the season before we inevitably all ran out of gas second half but had all done enough, think all three pretty much tracked within 6 points of each other all season.

FGR of course although lost momentum results wise way before promotion didn’t seem to ride any waves of euphoria and they found it virtually impossible.

So far Stevenage and to a lesser degree Orient have taken some momentum in but it’s going to be hard work for the other two as it stands because the second half seemed to be a much harder slog as you get found out by more experienced L1 sides and January kicks in with the bigger clubs splashing out to widen the gap.

 

[Moonie]

Think it'll be all about January for us - presuming the takeover goes through. If the Piataks don't buy the club, there are seemingly two other groups waiting in the wings. We'll find out more about the Americans' plans for the club tomorrow when they meet with members of the trust to reveal their grand plan... it needs to involve a wee bit of cash for Simpson in the January window, as well as their ideas for the infrastructure which they've already hinted at.

Another false dawn? Maybe. But this feels different. We'll find out soon enough.

 

[hellogregory]

Think it'll be all about January for us - presuming the takeover goes through. If the Piataks don't buy the club, there are seemingly two other groups waiting in the wings. We'll find out more about the Americans' plans for the club tomorrow when they meet with members of the trust to reveal their grand plan... it needs to involve a wee bit of cash for Simpson in the January window, as well as their ideas for the infrastructure which they've already hinted at.

Another false dawn? Maybe. But this feels different. We'll find out soon enough.

I don’t want to criticise Simpson as he’s the best manager we’ve had my life, but I can’t help but think he’s wasted quite a bit of our summer budget.

When you look at signings like McGeoch and Butterworth who can’t even get on our bench. Even McCalmont - Was he really that good in League 2 that he warranted a 2 year contract in League 1? Can’t help but feel the money we’ve spent on these contracts could have been used for something more useful to the squad.

 

[Moonie]

I don’t want to criticise Simpson as he’s the best manager we’ve had my life, but I can’t help but think he’s wasted quite a bit of our summer budget.

When you look at signings like McGeoch and Butterworth who can’t even get on our bench. Even McCalmont - Was he really that good in League 2 that he warranted a 2 year contract in League 1? Can’t help but feel the money we’ve spent on these contracts could have been used for something more useful to the squad.

Mcgeouch is still injured. He should be in contention next week. Butterworth just doesn't seem to fit - I do wonder if he couldn't do a job up front, the little glimpses we've seen of him have shown he has a bit of pace (something we're sorely lacking), a decent touch, and an eye for linkup play. As for Alfie, he's proven at league 1 level. Not sure why it isn't happening for him at this point, but it's worth noting that Gibson and Guy have been 2 of our better performers - and that Moxon is our supposed talisman. No idea what wage Alfie is on, but maybe he was signed as cover?

Our recruitment does look questionable though, I have to concede that much. Armer has struggled with the faster tempo, yet Robinson hasn't started a league game. The strikers are all misfiring. And the central defenders and keepers are all dropping clangers here and there.