Vale v Posh

[leedsvaliant]

We're now looking over our shoulders nervously and getting to 51 points has to be our aim. Brown has steadied the ship a little but we haven't won hardly any in the last 10-15 games and so we're creeping ever slowly downwards.

The one thing that gives us a bit of hope is the fact that we now have some attacking talent with pace in the form of Hooper and Walker, plus Forrester is back after injury. The two lads from QPR are supposed to be very talented and have the ability to take people on and so they should provide enough attacking threat.

It's at the back where I'm worried - we've let in far too many soft goals over about 3 seasons now and with Smith potentially out, we look very bare at the back and we'll have a very inexperienced goalkeeper in as well. Brown clearly missed out on some targets on deadline day, so we have to go with what we've got. We lack experience across the entire team really.

Peterborough are a strange team, just when you think they've turned the corner and are heading to the playoffs, they put in a couple of dreadful performances. They've signed Grant from us, who on his day is a great player for this league - however he will slow you down and offers virtually zero goal threat. They do however come into this game off the back of a couple of poor results, and we all know how this one goes...

We need to win, if only to boost our confidence and create a gap between us and the bottom four, but we're unlikely to keep a clean sheet which makes things difficult. I think we're going to have to try and outscore the opposition basically.

I think this one might be a draw 2-2 or something?

 

[valefan16]

Biggest game of the season for me... simply must win considering their form and the games coming up away from home.

Looks like we will get plenty of chances to score with the Posh defence and our new look forward line but as you say the defence is a concern if Smith doesn't recover in time.

Be interesting to see how the new lads do, the keeper is far less experienced than we'd have liked but seems to be very highly thought of at Celtic which is promising.

Wonder if Foley may make this?

Play as we did v Scunthorpe and we have a chance of a positive result.

3-2 Vale in a ding dong.

 

[Buxton Vale]

Impossible to predict this with our side weakened in some areas but strengthened in others. We need a win, but might have to settle for a draw.

 

[RobboPOSH]

Biggest game of the season for me... simply must win considering their form and the games coming up away from home.

Looks like we will get plenty of chances to score with the Posh defence and our new look forward line but as you say the defence is a concern if Smith doesn't recover in time.

Be interesting to see how the new lads do, the keeper is far less experienced than we'd have liked but seems to be very highly thought of at Celtic which is promising.

Wonder if Foley may make this?

Play as we did v Scunthorpe and we have a chance of a positive result.

3-2 Vale in a ding dong.

It's not our defence that's the issue. It's the fact that teams walk straight through our midfield at our defence that's the problem. Hopefully Grant, who we signed from you, can sort this out.

At the moment we truly are pitiful. We have no character, no desire and no effort. The players look confused and noone I know can understand the game plan that McCann is trying to play. The tactics truly are baffling.

I think we'll lose. We don't have a great record in tough games where it's cold and miserable up north. I expect Vale to win even if they miss two penalties. Wouldn't be surprised if we get another tonking.

Nottingham and Stoke before the game, Burslem to Longport pub crawl afterwards.

 

[leedsvaliant]

It's not our defence that's the issue. It's the fact that teams walk straight through our midfield at our defence that's the problem. Hopefully Grant, who we signed from you, can sort this out.

At the moment we truly are pitiful. We have no character, no desire and no effort. The players look confused and noone I know can understand the game plan that McCann is trying to play. The tactics truly are baffling.

I think we'll lose. We don't have a great record in tough games where it's cold and miserable up north. I expect Vale to win even if they miss two penalties. Wouldn't be surprised if we get another tonking.

Nottingham and Stoke before the game, Burslem to Longport pub crawl afterwards.

Yeah, Grant will do you a job on that front. Reads the game well, gets a foot in and plays it simple - he's had in general a poor few months with us but that may be due to the fact that he wanted to leave. We found him to dawdle on the ball too much which often resulted in giving away possession in dangerous areas and also slowed our attacks right down. Good player, poor arrogant attitude and his disciplinary record is shocking, gets suspended at least once a season (often due to 10 bookings or a sending off) and doesn't stay anywhere for more than 2 years.

In terms of character, desire and effort, I believe that McCann can turn that around and so I wouldn't be too concerned. We had Bruno, whose tactics most of the time were baffling, so I sympathise. We're very much in a transition period of playing a bit quicker and with a higher tempo but it's not ideal to change your style mid way through a season.

With the fact that you are bound to come out of the blocks at us due to your previous bad results, I can't see a tonking. We're just not there as a team yet to give anyone a tonking yet. I believe that we will come good but we need time that we haven't got.

Your before and after game plan sounds perfect. The Bulls Head is a cracking pub in Burslem and is one of the best in Stoke-on-Trent if you like ale. There's also The Leapord and The Duke William in Burslem that are full of character. Although Burslem is a bit of a dump, it's a cracking place to have a football ground as there's so many pubs within a short walk.

 

[MJA]

I was optimistic of us getting the 3 points in this one considering how easy teams were seemingly walking through to score against posh. However, the addition of Grant there is going to plug that gap in midfield mentioned above and mean it is going to be more difficult for us to break them down.

I still think we will score but I think it is a safe bet that our own leaky defence (now lacking protection in front) will concede so I will go for a 1-1 draw that doesn't really help Vale at all

 

[valefan16]

I was optimistic of us getting the 3 points in this one considering how easy teams were seemingly walking through to score against posh. However, the addition of Grant there is going to plug that gap in midfield mentioned above and mean it is going to be more difficult for us to break them down.

I still think we will score but I think it is a safe bet that our own leaky defence (now lacking protection in front) will concede so I will go for a 1-1 draw that doesn't really help Vale at all

Hopefully Grant gets booked early (likely) thus rendering him less useful! I believe he is the verge of a 2-3 game ban too if he picks up a yellow Saturday.

 

[MJA]

Hopefully Grant gets booked early (likely) thus rendering him less useful! I believe he is the verge of a 2-3 game ban too if he picks up a yellow Saturday.

You know full well that every tackle will be timed to perfection on Saturday and he will be that model professional that he is when things are going for him, like being given a massive pay rise. He will probably smash one in from 30 yards as well just to top it off

 

[valefan16]

You know full well that every tackle will be timed to perfection on Saturday and he will be that model professional that he is when things are going for him, like being given a massive pay rise. He will probably smash one in from 30 yards as well just to top it off

Be typical! Scored a goal against Wigan I recall and one in the cup against Carlisle (penalty I think) but cant really recall him scoring otherwise!

It seems a very Grant thing, remember when he signed for us after leaving Crewe it was a bit messy and wouldn't be surprised if he slaps in a transfer request in a year or so! In regards to a massive pay rise... will he get that at Posh these days? No idea on their budget to be honest but imagine he was one of our better earners and before his strop in the summer talks were being looked it regarding a new deal. Disappointed he has gone as a player as we know he is capable but on the flip side he's been half arsed nearly all season and clearly lost his head as we saw when he tried to attack the referee and got a huge ban in November. Overall to get £100k for a player that would of gone for £0 in June I would say was a great deal for us considering he had lost interest.

The motto in the dressing room from Habin's spell that's still there says "Play for the Badge on the Front of the Shirt and They will Remember the name on the back"... This wasn't Grant anymore.

 

[RobboPOSH]

He's one yellow away from suspension. I'd like to say I could see us getting something Saturday but I just can't. Bostwick is out for a month with a broken jaw. He's one of about 3 in our dressing room that actually gives a toss.

 

[Andy Proctor]

Be off waterlogged pitch i reckon.

 

[darren gregory]

For me no angst towards Grant, he may get a lot of yellows but the officials defo had it in for him, a case in point was the woman lino who did jack shit when he was been man handled v Fleetwood, then incredibly on Boxing Day was pointing at him before the match with Walsall to the other officials, Grant duly booked, what a shock. A very good player, and lets face it the only loyalty is us mugs, players come and go and Grant is no different, good luck to him after tomorrow.
As for the game itself i am going to go as far and say if we lose we are down. Negative maybe with umpteen games left, but we are in freefall. Tomorrow Chesterfield v Oldham and Shrews v Bury which will have implications on the gap closing either way.
Posh seem to of flattered to achieve since relegation and are always tipped as contenders. Given ( off the top of my head ) their last 3 games are 5-1 at Bury, 2-0 at Oldham and 0-4 to MK Franchise then what a golden opportunity for Vale to win surely.
I really hope we can nick a win somehow, having being underwhelmed at selling 2 of our best players and bringing in an untried Celtic 3rd choice keeper and another ex-Lardie released by Blackpool i have my reservations.
I know Alex Jones was not our player but since January we have lost probably the 3 best players in him, Alnwick and Grant.
As neither side can keep a clean sheet and we seem to of got better in attack i am going for a 2-2 draw. 4762 ( 489 Posh )

 

[valefan16]

For me no angst towards Grant, he may get a lot of yellows but the officials defo had it in for him, a case in point was the woman lino who did jack shit when he was been man handled v Fleetwood, then incredibly on Boxing Day was pointing at him before the match with Walsall to the other officials, Grant duly booked, what a shock. A very good player, and lets face it the only loyalty is us mugs, players come and go and Grant is no different, good luck to him after tomorrow.
As for the game itself i am going to go as far and say if we lose we are down. Negative maybe with umpteen games left, but we are in freefall. Tomorrow Chesterfield v Oldham and Shrews v Bury which will have implications on the gap closing either way.
Posh seem to of flattered to achieve since relegation and are always tipped as contenders. Given ( off the top of my head ) their last 3 games are 5-1 at Bury, 2-0 at Oldham and 0-4 to MK Franchise then what a golden opportunity for Vale to win surely.
I really hope we can nick a win somehow, having being underwhelmed at selling 2 of our best players and bringing in an untried Celtic 3rd choice keeper and another ex-Lardie released by Blackpool i have my reservations.
I know Alex Jones was not our player but since January we have lost probably the 3 best players in him, Alnwick and Grant.
As neither side can keep a clean sheet and we seem to of got better in attack i am going for a 2-2 draw. 4762 ( 489 Posh )

Darren,

Wouldn't say we would be down but wouldn't be sitting great. We have two games in hand still.

We need six wins I reckon and have

Swindon
Bristol Rovers
Shrewsbury
MK

Have to go to:

Chesterfield
Coventry
Gillingham
Northampton

There's 8 winnable games off the top of my head. Five wins and four draws would likely be enough from the 19 games left.

 

[darren gregory]

i am just offering my thoughts i know what you say VF16, seeing as Oldham battered us and the only win away was rather fortunate against MK with no home win all season i fail to see where an away win will come.
Each season is different but Chesterfield is a place we yet to win since they moved grounds, the fact Cov are bottom makes no odds, Gills are struggling and so are Cobblers.

i don,t subscribe to the oh it is only MK at home as some people do, not saying you .
http://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england3
That in my eyes is a very difficult fixture and no gimmee.
My winnable games are Swindon, Gas, Wimbledon, Shrews.
Be amazed if we win more than one away,we have 10 away games left and you are suggesting 4 possibles, i just don,t see that whatsoever.
Reliance on home form is a concern with Bradford, Sheff Utd and Bolton yet to come to Vale.
I honestly feel tomorrow is pivotal, if results go badly, we could be 3 points off the drop with 2 aways to come.
Alternatively we could be about 7 off the drop if we win and others are drawn.

 

[RobboPOSH]

You'll probably beat us tomorrow and I doubt there will be more then 300 Posh there. I think Vale will stay up as there are worse teams in this division.

 

[valefan16]

i am just offering my thoughts i know what you say VF16, seeing as Oldham battered us and the only win away was rather fortunate against MK with no home win all season i fail to see where an away win will come.
Each season is different but Chesterfield is a place we yet to win since they moved grounds, the fact Cov are bottom makes no odds, Gills are struggling and so are Cobblers.

i don,t subscribe to the oh it is only MK at home as some people do, not saying you .
http://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england3
That in my eyes is a very difficult fixture and no gimmee.
My winnable games are Swindon, Gas, Wimbledon, Shrews.
Be amazed if we win more than one away,we have 10 away games left and you are suggesting 4 possibles, i just don,t see that whatsoever.
Reliance on home form is a concern with Bradford, Sheff Utd and Bolton yet to come to Vale.
I honestly feel tomorrow is pivotal, if results go badly, we could be 3 points off the drop with 2 aways to come.
Alternatively we could be about 7 off the drop if we win and others are drawn.

Not saying we will beat this and that but if our improvement sustains I think regardless of today we'd pick up just enough to survive.

Today is another unknown game though as again three or four could debut after three did against Bury last home game.

Oddly the side we fielded at Huddersfield four weeks ago is barely recognisable to the likely XI today! Almost like a new season with the amount of turnover!

 

[valefan16]

Smith fit and starts is a massive boost! Even bigger boost the return after three months out of Super Sammy Foley

Happy with our XI today Shopido starts on the flank and Fasan becomes the first Italian to play for Vale... despite the fact he has a solid Scottish accent!

 

[Buxton Vale]

Feeling a bit more confident after seeing the teamsheets.

UTV

 

[valefan16]

Feeling a bit more confident after seeing the teamsheets.

UTV

Missing Thomas as a knock but apparently ADF was stand out last week so not too bad... arguably the only decent foreign signing Bruno made!

 

[MJA]

Going well then

 

[valefan16]

Awful and another complete gift! Broken on again! Just when we had tails up after the penalty save

 

[valefan16]

Poor performance by our standards of late but Jesus this referee might as well have a blue shirt on! Posh are kicking us off the pitch and he's given us sod all! Gave a penalty when appeared to be a ball cleanly won then doesn't give one when JJ is rugby tackled... nor even a free kick of an elbow on Walker.

Can tell Posh have had Westley in the past!

 

[valefan16]

Ok we are gonna go down.

 

[MJA]

League 2 isn't that bad is it?

 

[markpvfc]

We'll be down by the start of April if we plat like that. Defence woeful and attack clueless.

 

[MJA]

Wonder what Rob Page is up to...............

 

[valefan16]

Defence was terrible and all three Posh goals were laughable. Worryingly our keeper didn't have a save to make apart from the penalty yet we've let three in!

Battered them for long spells in the second half yet in true Vale style we don't even force their keeper to make a save.

Referee was awful. Gave a penalty that he shouldn't, didn't give one that he should, didn't send Madison off when he should for diving moments after booking Nicholls for diving. List goes on.

Posh were very cynical, fouled us every time we got within 50 yards of goal but referee didn't do anything to stop it until the bookings later on in the game.

3-0 flattered them massively but we've been poor today and after two weeks of looking like we had turned the corner we've put that in today.

12 goals conceded in 4 games... mostly down to big errors rather than quality from opposing players and that points to a very worrying future for this side.

Embarrassing.

 

[MJA]

Wonder what Rob Page is up to...............

Turns out he has got himself involved in the Nottm Forest coaching set up

 

[valefan16]

Turns out he has got himself involved in the Nottm Forest coaching set up

Where he belongs, great number 2 just not a great manager

 

[MJA]

Where he belongs, great number 2 just not a great manager

Not sure we would be in this mess had he stayed. Might not have been 'total' football (we all know where that leads to) but he would have got enough points for us to be sat comfortably