Valiants v Stags

[Amber Nectar]

Hard on Vale, after sounding like they controlled the game early on.

 

[valefan16]

Off the line again!

 

[valefan16]

Now 4-0 this is actually bizarrely quite funny!

 

[Amber Nectar]

WTF 0-4 !!!

Not like us. We're normally tight at the back and some times quite attacking but very rarely score more than a goal per game.

 

[Conker]

This sort of result has been coming, unfortunately for Port Vale tonight is the night.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Bizarre game. Mansfield have had four chances and scored them all. We were by far the better team first half to the point that the Mansfield fans were getting on their teams back. We basically collapsed like a pack of cards.
Still thought we were the better team in the second half funnily enough but just didn't have an end product.

I suppose Mansfields budget enables them to bring in players who are clinical when needed but this league is so poor it's frustrating that we just having quite got the team to take advantage.

 

[Buxton Vale]

The stats say that we had the possession and chances, but couldn't finish where Mansfield could. A bit of quality gets you a long way in this league. Roll on the transfer window. It can't come soon enough for us.

 

[valefan16]

Bizarre game. Mansfield have had four chances and scored them all. We were by far the better team first half to the point that the Mansfield fans were getting on their teams back. We basically collapsed like a pack of cards.
Still thought we were the better team in the second half funnily enough but just didn't have an end product.

I suppose Mansfields budget enables them to bring in players who are clinical when needed but this league is so poor it's frustrating that we just having quite got the team to take advantage.

One of those games you get every decade or so, the stats are ridiculous and dominated them all bar the one that matters.

That said 4-0 defeat at home in league two is disgraceful for this club and shows what a fall we’ve had in the last 18 months or so. It’s embarrassing whichever way you try and gloss it performance wise and need to bounce back as results have gone against us elsewhere tonight reminding us we still have a lot of work to do to repair the damage Michael Brown has done to this club.

Hard to analyse it but defensively that isn’t good enough and attacking wise we’ve got to be converting chances more clinically.

Huge game Saturday at Lincoln now and a reaction is imperative.

 

[Conker]

We have had plenty of games where we should of battered teams but only just won or more than often drew (Exeter, Luton, Stevenage) so it’s really nice to put a couple away.

Bring on the fierest Rivalry in the football league Saturday!

 

[Vale on Trent]

Got to laugh. Battered them first half, completely controlled the game and had chances to be in the lead. Forrester could have had two and Gunning had a header off the line. They won a free kick, we switched off and suddenly they’re one up, just before half time too.

Second half we started the first five minutes on the front foot again. We concede a corner and find ourselves two down somehow. Again, the defending of the set piece can be questioned. Then less than five minutes later the Mansfield right back wins the ball well, powers forward, plays a lovely cross field ball which their striker despatched well. Probably the first bit of quality Mansfield showed, which is what we don’t seem to have. So without playing bad and without them threatening us much at all, we found ourselves three down with the game dead. Fourth goal was comical, Anderson was sleeping and they were one on one with goal from a lump up field.

Cant really hammer into the players too much but to me today showed the lack of quality we have. Pugh is terrible and offers nothing defensively or even on the ball. Whilst, for all Gunning and Gibbons effort and desire at full back, they really do lack any ability going forward. Also Anderson looks like a cart horse to me.

We won’t go down but we don’t have any quality to challenge anywhere near the top.

 

[AdamStag]

At half time 1-0 was daylight robbery, after we went 2-0 we were dominant, 4/9 was a ridiculous score line, but we've been waiting to give someone a spanning and vale got it.

First 40 minutes vale dominated and looked a good and decent side, we scored with what was our only effort on goal.

2nd half we started the stronger, and never looked back. Nice to see Kane hemmings score a good finish after the (most often than not justified) stick I've thrown at him.

If I were a port vale fan id feel very hard done to, and look at that with confidence that the bottom 2 won't be a worry.

Whisper it quietly, but we're starting to click. With that shit bottom of the league down the road in town on Saturday I look forward to continuing it

 

[valefan16]

Harsh on Gibbons, he’s provided a few assists in his half dozen career starts.

The issue is and has been that for the 30 odd players we have we’ve no real central midfield, Pugh has been poor for weeks, reliant on Kay otherwise Tonge, I mean 100 years old between them!

Browns on Soccer Saturday moaning he only had a small budget etc yet he signed a massive squad diluted with some very good youngsters who are still inexperienced, some ex Premier League Grandads and a load of loanees and a couple of top players at this level like Pope and Worrall, had he invested it in a smaller squad we could of had that quality in more areas.

We need Whitfield back from injury that was obvious Saturday and his energy, pace and quality is being missed in the final third... I’m worried again though because for all our good form and some great performances we are only two points better off in relation to the drop than we were 7 games ago and tonight we’ve contrived to lose 4-0 at home against a side that were average on the night... we have such a fragile confidence it seems with tonight’s collapse and the similar Swindon collapse a couple of games back.

Kay can’t be that important to our shape can he?!

 

[Vale on Trent]

Harsh on Gibbons, he’s provided a few assists in his half dozen career starts.

The issue is and has been that for the 30 odd players we have we’ve no real central midfield, Pugh has been poor for weeks, reliant on Kay otherwise Tonge, I mean 100 years old between them!

Browns on Soccer Saturday moaning he only had a small budget etc yet he signed a massive squad diluted with some very good youngsters who are still inexperienced, some ex Premier League Grandads and a load of loanees and a couple of top players at this level like Pope and Worrall, had he invested it in a smaller squad we could of had that quality in more areas.

We need Whitfield back from injury that was obvious Saturday and his energy, pace and quality is being missed in the final third... I’m worried again though because for all our good form and some great performances we are only two points better off in relation to the drop than we were 7 games ago and tonight we’ve contrived to lose 4-0 at home against a side that were average on the night... we have such a fragile confidence it seems with tonight’s collapse and the similar Swindon collapse a couple of games back.

Kay can’t be that important to our shape can he?!

Maybe a little harsh on Gibbons, he did ok overall. But we are very one dimensional in terms of crossing from deep. Too many times we are looking for the diagonal pass to Pope’s head. We don’t seem to have anyone who can get to the byline and put a ball in.

 

[valefan16]

Maybe a little harsh on Gibbons, he did ok overall. But we are very one dimensional in terms of crossing from deep. Too many times we are looking for the diagonal pass to Pope’s head. We don’t seem to have anyone who can get to the byline and put a ball in.

That’s where we are missing Whitfield IMO and hopefully he’s close to returning.

Don’t get the fuss over Harness, seems to fanny about too much and looks good but doesn’t really create anything. Stobbs might be worth a go.

 

[Yellafella]

Got to laugh. Battered them first half, completely controlled the game and had chances to be in the lead. Forrester could have had two and Gunning had a header off the line. They won a free kick, we switched off and suddenly they’re one up, just before half time too.

Second half we started the first five minutes on the front foot again. We concede a corner and find ourselves two down somehow. Again, the defending of the set piece can be questioned. Then less than five minutes later the Mansfield right back wins the ball well, powers forward, plays a lovely cross field ball which their striker despatched well. Probably the first bit of quality Mansfield showed, which is what we don’t seem to have. So without playing bad and without them threatening us much at all, we found ourselves three down with the game dead. Fourth goal was comical, Anderson was sleeping and they were one on one with goal from a lump up field.

Cant really hammer into the players too much but to me today showed the lack of quality we have. Pugh is terrible and offers nothing defensively or even on the ball. Whilst, for all Gunning and Gibbons effort and desire at full back, they really do lack any ability going forward. Also Anderson looks like a cart horse to me.

We won’t go down but we don’t have any quality to challenge anywhere near the top.

Got to say .. it sounds pretty much like our first third of the season.. we've played well and struggled to score or at least win whilst on top, differences from then to now is.. we are firing on all cylinders with our strengths which is quality used in the right areas once we get forward,
It does sound like a flattering 4-0 but to be honest we deserve this (not on your behalf perhaps not!) but we have flattered to deceive on more than many occasion this season.
I just feel a tad sorry it's upset your run of form but unfortunately it's been coming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hamez]

Very strange game, we were really poor first half, never really got going, and were pretty lucky to go into half time in front. Port Vale had a few chances, and looked threatening from crosses etc but didn't have much of a plan B when that didn't work. Their number 15 was really lucky not to be sent off, clear elbow on Diamond literally 2 minutes after a blatant handball.

After that, we scored at very good times to put the game to bed & it was nice to see us actually kill a game off which we haven't done too many times this season. Great finishes from Diamond, Rose & Hemmings. (Although what Pope was doing for the second goal, i have no idea) After that, the game was over & was a dead rubber after that.

Port Vale were fairly poor though in honesty. Worrall looked a threat, and Pope will always win a few balls in the air, but if you nulify that, they don't look like scoring really.

 

[valefan16]

Very strange game, we were really poor first half, never really got going, and were pretty lucky to go into half time in front. Port Vale had a few chances, and looked threatening from crosses etc but didn't have much of a plan B when that didn't work. Their number 15 was really lucky not to be sent off, clear elbow on Diamond literally 2 minutes after a blatant handball.

After that, we scored at very good times to put the game to bed & it was nice to see us actually kill a game off which we haven't done too many times this season. Great finishes from Diamond, Rose & Hemmings. (Although what Pope was doing for the second goal, i have no idea) After that, the game was over & was a dead rubber after that.

Port Vale were fairly poor though in honesty. Worrall looked a threat, and Pope will always win a few balls in the air, but if you nulify that, they don't look like scoring really.

Luckily for us, most teams have failed to nulify Pope in recent weeks but he isn't usually as forgiving as last night (and missed a sitter Saturday!)

We are missing our best creative man through injury in Whitfield which has shown in recent weeks, thankfully due back shortly!

 

[Liam_SWFC]

That’s where we are missing Whitfield IMO and hopefully he’s close to returning.

Don’t get the fuss over Harness, seems to fanny about too much and looks good but doesn’t really create anything. Stobbs might be worth a go.

Surprised Stobbs hasn't played more, been smashing it in the reserves as well hasn't he?

 

[leedsvaliant]

Very strange game, we were really poor first half, never really got going, and were pretty lucky to go into half time in front. Port Vale had a few chances, and looked threatening from crosses etc but didn't have much of a plan B when that didn't work. Their number 15 was really lucky not to be sent off, clear elbow on Diamond literally 2 minutes after a blatant handball.

After that, we scored at very good times to put the game to bed & it was nice to see us actually kill a game off which we haven't done too many times this season. Great finishes from Diamond, Rose & Hemmings. (Although what Pope was doing for the second goal, i have no idea) After that, the game was over & was a dead rubber after that.

Port Vale were fairly poor though in honesty. Worrall looked a threat, and Pope will always win a few balls in the air, but if you nulify that, they don't look like scoring really.

I wouldn't class us as poor, I thought we outplayed you for much of the first half and our build up play was excellent in parts. We just lack the clinical edge that money buys. You need players to take chances at crucial times which is exactly what Mansfield did.You were four nil up with virtually your first 4 chances of the game!

We're severely lacking in midfield, which is often the difference between ourselves and other teams. We needed to invest our budget into midfielders who can create and maybe contribute 10 goals or so. Whitfield does add a bit of this but is out injured at the moment. Brown has left us with a completely unbalanced squad with no thought as to how he might fit players into a system.

One thing I would say is that we really need players from other parts of the team to contribute to goals. Our centre halves are good in the air and should be getting 4 or 5 goals each a season. I think we need to be a bit more savvy on set pieces.

If we added a midfield threat and supplier to our game, I am certain we would be moving towards the top half. That combined with the threats of Pope and Worrall etc. should be more than enough to beat teams at this level. It's so frustrating, but I believe that we just need to survive and consolidate this season. I fully believe and expect that with a full preseason of Aspin and Rudge bringing in the right players and organising them we will be challenging for the top next year.

Years of mismanagement and poor decisions are taking their toll at the moment, but I believe we will come out the other side and get out of this hell-hole of a league the right way.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Surprised Stobbs hasn't played more, been smashing it in the reserves as well hasn't he?

I thought he might have been given a chance, however we have been stung before by believing that impressive performances in the reserves will translate to a league game. These games often involve lots of youth players and so it's not as hard to stand out.

That being said, I'm surprised he hasn't had more opportunity.

 

[valefan16]

I thought he might have been given a chance, however we have been stung before by believing that impressive performances in the reserves will translate to a league game. These games often involve lots of youth players and so it's not as hard to stand out.

That being said, I'm surprised he hasn't had more opportunity.

Ala Achille Campion who was like Pele for the stiffs, begged by fans to play, scored 5 minutes into his appearance against Bradford... did nothing every again... although is doing well in Ireland now!

 

[Conker]

I wouldn't class us as poor, I thought we outplayed you for much of the first half and our build up play was excellent in parts. We just lack the clinical edge that money buys. You need players to take chances at crucial times which is exactly what Mansfield did.You were four nil up with virtually your first 4 chances of the game!

We're severely lacking in midfield, which is often the difference between ourselves and other teams. We needed to invest our budget into midfielders who can create and maybe contribute 10 goals or so. Whitfield does add a bit of this but is out injured at the moment. Brown has left us with a completely unbalanced squad with no thought as to how he might fit players into a system.

One thing I would say is that we really need players from other parts of the team to contribute to goals. Our centre halves are good in the air and should be getting 4 or 5 goals each a season. I think we need to be a bit more savvy on set pieces.

If we added a midfield threat and supplier to our game, I am certain we would be moving towards the top half. That combined with the threats of Pope and Worrall etc. should be more than enough to beat teams at this level. It's so frustrating, but I believe that we just need to survive and consolidate this season. I fully believe and expect that with a full preseason of Aspin and Rudge bringing in the right players and organising them we will be challenging for the top next year.

Years of mismanagement and poor decisions are taking their toll at the moment, but I believe we will come out the other side and get out of this hell-hole of a league the right way.

‘hell-hole of a league’ HA.

That’s the conference, not L2!

 

[valefan16]

‘hell-hole of a league’ HA.

That’s the conference, not L2!

We've been fortunate not to experience that one yet... and hopefully wont anytime soon i.e. next season. If you go up you'll see why when your visiting Ewood Park etc... the football's generally more bearable to watch too!

 

[Conker]

We've been fortunate not to experience that one yet... and hopefully wont anytime soon i.e. next season. If you go up you'll see why when your visiting Ewood Park etc... the football's generally more bearable to watch too!

I didn’t find the L1 football that much more bearable, winning and losing feels the same at any level most of the time.

Losing 4-0 to Hayes and Yeading away with 300 fans in total attendance Is when you have hit hell.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Vale had chances in the first half but a clearence off the line from our striker and an outstanding last ditch tackle by Bennett in the box kept us in it then we punished the missed chances by scoring with probably our own chance in the opening 45. 2nd we were much better and scored 2 early goals and Vale looked finished then. Logan made one or two excellent saves in the second half too. Another player who all the experts wrote off after about 38mins on the opening day.

 

[Hamez]

Vale had chances in the first half but a clearence off the line from our striker and an outstanding last ditch tackle by Bennett in the box kept us in it then we punished the missed chances by scoring with probably our own chance in the opening 45. 2nd we were much better and scored 2 early goals and Vale looked finished then. Logan made one or two excellent saves in the second half too. Another player who all the experts wrote off after about 38mins on the opening day.

Also see for Hemmings, Mirfin, Diamond...

 

[darren gregory]

If ever the phrase ' it's a marathon not a sprint ' rings true then it is Mansfield.
Villa and Blackburn are also doing it in their leagues. Relatively mediocre/ middling starts, people start to mock and think that all is going tits up.
Quietly go about their business and boom before you know it will be in the Automatics.
Felt the scoreline was flattering as per most posters but going on all the games i've seen they are the most impressive team along with Wycombe. Can only go on what you have seen yourself, felt Notts County were a really poor side yet have been up there all along.
Have no concerns about us in a struggle but we need a midfield not average age of 43 and someone to take the burden off Pope.

 

[Topher]

Sounds like we were the better side, we won't concede 4 goals from 7 shots again this season and not score from chances like it sounds we had. Be interesting to see what experimental361 makes of it.

2nd we were much better and scored 2 early goals and Vale looked finished then. Logan made one or two excellent saves in the second half too.

wait, did we look finished or did your keeper have to make two excellent saves?

 

[AdamStag]

Also see for Hemmings, Mirfin, Diamond...

Mirfin and Diamond i've always been keen on.

Regarding my take on Logan and Hemmings are more SE than the players.

If Logan doesn't come off his line (he did a bit last night) then fine, but the defence needs to know and be aware of this so they're aware of what they're doing. It was pretty obvious for the 1st 3 or 4 games that this wasn't communicated between both parties, which led to goals conceded and chaos in the box. This seems to have been resolved now which is most pleasing, just more bizarre that it wasn't seemingly looked into during the summer - especially given we'd signed players so early.

Regarding Hemmings, whereas i've been a critic (and a righful one at times) again he was put into the side by SE when he quite clearly wasn't fit - and his first 6 or so games were frankly, terrible. One thing folk to on stagsnet is slag them off and then never give them praise when things are going well - if i've been a critic of a player and has turned it round i'll always do the right thing and praise them.

 

[Conker]

If ever the phrase ' it's a marathon not a sprint ' rings true then it is Mansfield.
Villa and Blackburn are also doing it in their leagues. Relatively mediocre/ middling starts, people start to mock and think that all is going tits up.
Quietly go about their business and boom before you know it will be in the Automatics.
Felt the scoreline was flattering as per most posters but going on all the games i've seen they are the most impressive team along with Wycombe. Can only go on what you have seen yourself, felt Notts County were a really poor side yet have been up there all along.
Have no concerns about us in a struggle but we need a midfield not average age of 43 and someone to take the burden off Pope.

That’s football being it’s usual weird self.

We breezed past County but they have managed to keep the form going so far.