w / e Saturday 25th January 2025

[hellogregory]

This will be our hardest game of the last 5/6. Anything less than what we've shown over the last few matches will not bode well
For what it's worth, I like Carlisle and Morecambe, both Northern clubs and sorry to see them struggling. I hope you both get out of jail, and if you get a result on Saturday...well done

Honestly, it won’t be your hardest game. Ask Bradford how easy we are to play against.

I like Fleetwood too.

 

[lordofthepies]

I fancy Chesterfield to do very well in the run in

 

[Son of Cod]

Think i went once in the nl days but the game was actually called off on a Tuesday night so never went , or maybe that was Boreham wood ? Maybe a fellow Town fan can remember as my memory is awful.

Quite looking forward to it sounds alright going for a few in london b4 and after and no doubt the ground bar then , is it all covered?

Yeah, we had games called off there in both our NL promotion seasons. 2015/16 we were supposed to play in December but I think it snowed maybe? And then on the opening day of 2021/22 we had a COVID outbreak so couldn't play on the opening day and Andy Woodman completely lost it and called us disrespectful. That's the only seasons we've played them I think, so technically every time we play away at Bromley we get promoted...

 

[loz]

Honestly, it won’t be your hardest game. Ask Bradford how easy we are to play against.

I like Fleetwood too.

A couple of months ago, you could have asked Grimsby fans how easy Bradford are to play against.

 

[Dan Phillips]

Of course Chesterfield resurrect their deathbed squad just in time to play us FFS.

 

[codaplenty]

Honestly, it won’t be your hardest game. Ask Bradford how easy we are to play against.

I like Fleetwood too.

Keep the faith mate, keep the faith....

 

[leedsvaliant]

Of course Chesterfield resurrect their deathbed squad just in time to play us FFS.

My sentiments exactly. This sort of shit always happens to us. Hopefully half of them won't be quite ready.

 

[spireite]

I wouldn't worry too much I think it's still a good time to play us. Bodies are slowly coming back but will need games to get up to speed, and the same can be said of the incomings. I suspect you will see more or less the same team as last game on the pitch, just the bench might have more known names on it.

 

[Dan Phillips]

I wouldn't worry too much I think it's still a good time to play us. Bodies are slowly coming back but will need games to get up to speed, and the same can be said of the incomings. I suspect you will see more or less the same team as last game on the pitch, just the bench might have more known names on it.

You're forgetting how shite we always are when we rock up at your gaff though.

 

[mozzavale]

Just because players are back in training doesn't necessarily mean they're in contention to play the next game. Byers has been training for about 3 weeks and every game so far has "come too soon". Not like the old days, if you could stand up you could play. We get to hear terms like "load" "volume" as no doubt they'll be guided by the medical team.

 

[Son of Cod]

Naturally looking ahead to our match after this so having a quick peak at Gillingham's form...4 straight defeats and haven't scored, yikes. What the hell is going on there Gills fans? Pretty tough set of fixtures but still.

Hopefully you get something against Tranmere this weekend as we always seem to lose to sides on horrific runs!

 

[valefan16]

Of course Chesterfield resurrect their deathbed squad just in time to play us FFS.

You could say the same about us though! Garrity just back, Byers set to return, Harper and Stockley back last game, Mitch Clark and Kyle John back in, plus the signing of Headley who's looked quality, Smith back in the fold, should hopefully have Hall, Chislett and Richards back for this too.

We finally have our midfield available (which is our strongest attribute) after three months of having one + a fill in there and our first choice wing backs.

Swapping out Jason Lowe for George Byers as much as I love Lowe as a bloke is like selling a classic old ford escort run around you've kept for a Ferrari.

Moore has no excuse for the run in now all our best players are available and he has had reign to spend in the window.

 

[SuperHans]

You could say the same about us though! Garrity just back, Byers set to return, Harper and Stockley back last game, Mitch Clark and Kyle John back in, plus the signing of Headley who's looked quality, Smith back in the fold, should hopefully have Hall, Chislett and Richards back for this too.

We finally have our midfield available (which is our strongest attribute) after three months of having one + a fill in there and our first choice wing backs.

Swapping out Jason Lowe for George Byers as much as I love Lowe as a bloke is like selling a classic old ford escort run around you've kept for a Ferrari.

Moore has no excuse for the run in now all our best players are available and he has had reign to spend in the window.

We’ve also lost Markanday and Berry, two of our most potent attacking threats and haven’t had time to replace them as yet.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Honestly, it won’t be your hardest game. Ask Bradford how easy we are to play against.

I like Fleetwood too.

We are hard to play against………unless you go one goal up.

Then any sensible manager just sits hit team nicely in their own half not taking gambles and just watches the opposition a goal down constantly passing the ball sideways and backwards for the entirety of the rest of the match never looking to change or mix things up and happy to lose said game 1-0 if it means we keep passing the ball.

Bradford game we gave it as good as them really until a goal down and then we have absolute zero knowledge of being able to break a side down or putting a side under pressure or switching things up

 

[valefan16]

We’ve also lost Markanday and Berry, two of our most potent attacking threats and haven’t had time to replace them as yet.

Should be a decent match up, two sides emerging from big injury problems, we are due a result at your place for once! but either way should be a decent match up.

We beat you playing a high press at home but away we tend to sit in and play on the counter more, worked a treat in some games and our away record is top of the division but if we do concede first, especially early then it does mess up the game plan and we struggle, as with Doncaster away last time out if we score first we will shut the game down and have a great chance of winning, if we concede then we usually struggle.

We have changed to two up front and its got the best from Tolaj and with Stockley back we might be more adventurous but this is DM so the handbrake will still be on to some degree.

 

[leedsvaliant]

We’ve also lost Markanday and Berry, two of our most potent attacking threats and haven’t had time to replace them as yet.

How's Colclough doing? Been many rumours over the years that he might sign for us , being a local lad. I suspect he could play much higher but for his off field issues. Always rated him.

Dobra and Colclough can give anyone issues on their day. Dunkley a big miss for you...I wanted us to sign him in the summer.

As others have said, we won't come and blow you away 3 or 4. We'll try and keep it tight, nick a goal and then sit on it. Moore often likes to get to half time at 0-0 and then hope that our subs make an impact. It's worked in general but it doesn't make for a great spectacle.

If you score first, we're screwed. Last week was the first time in a while we have come from behind and I think partly due to the fact that Newport were crap. We just seem to struggle to get back into games.

We need to tighten up on defending crosses and set pieces....a few poor goals conceded like that.

I would say Chesterfield is one of the toughest away days in this division, so I'd take a draw all day.

 

[valefan16]

How's Colclough doing? Been many rumours over the years that he might sign for us , being a local lad. I suspect he could play much higher but for his off field issues. Always rated him.

Dobra and Colclough can give anyone issues on their day. Dunkley a big miss for you...I wanted us to sign him in the summer.

As others have said, we won't come and blow you away 3 or 4. We'll try and keep it tight, nick a goal and then sit on it. Moore often likes to get to half time at 0-0 and then hope that our subs make an impact. It's worked in general but it doesn't make for a great spectacle.

If you score first, we're screwed. Last week was the first time in a while we have come from behind and I think partly due to the fact that Newport were crap. We just seem to struggle to get back into games.

We need to tighten up on defending crosses and set pieces....a few poor goals conceded like that.

I would say Chesterfield is one of the toughest away days in this division, so I'd take a draw all day.

Draw would be decent with a few struggling sides to come (not that this means anything with Vale!) if we won here it would be as good a result as Notts/MK or Donny away as these are a decent side mixed in with they could play their youth team and beat us at their place.

 

[Carver]

How are MK Dons so poor with all those signings they made?

Because we poached their head coach

 

[SuperHans]

Should be a decent match up, two sides emerging from big injury problems, we are due a result at your place for once! but either way should be a decent match up.

We beat you playing a high press at home but away we tend to sit in and play on the counter more, worked a treat in some games and our away record is top of the division but if we do concede first, especially early then it does mess up the game plan and we struggle, as with Doncaster away last time out if we score first we will shut the game down and have a great chance of winning, if we concede then we usually struggle.

We have changed to two up front and its got the best from Tolaj and with Stockley back we might be more adventurous but this is DM so the handbrake will still be on to some degree.

If you sit back that will suit you. We do best against sides that come and try and attack as it opens up the game for our attacking outlets.

We will need an early goal given the above.

 

[SuperHans]

How's Colclough doing? Been many rumours over the years that he might sign for us , being a local lad. I suspect he could play much higher but for his off field issues. Always rated him.

Dobra and Colclough can give anyone issues on their day. Dunkley a big miss for you...I wanted us to sign him in the summer.

As others have said, we won't come and blow you away 3 or 4. We'll try and keep it tight, nick a goal and then sit on it. Moore often likes to get to half time at 0-0 and then hope that our subs make an impact. It's worked in general but it doesn't make for a great spectacle.

If you score first, we're screwed. Last week was the first time in a while we have come from behind and I think partly due to the fact that Newport were crap. We just seem to struggle to get back into games.

We need to tighten up on defending crosses and set pieces....a few poor goals conceded like that.

I would say Chesterfield is one of the toughest away days in this division, so I'd take a draw all day.

Colclough is absolutely quality but has had his injury issues. I’m hoping now he kicks on and plays consistently for the rest of the season - most our play will come down that side with Dobra and Coco linking up. We’ve lost Markanday at RW so will probably be Mandeville who is quality but less dangerous IMO.

Dunkley has been a huge miss. We’ve had to play CM Tom Naylor at CB and whilst he’s done a good job we’ve missed him in centre mid. Mcfadzean has signed now to replace Dunkley so hoping Naylor starts at CM.

Will be a good match up. Think it’ll be a draw but we need a win really.

 

[valefan16]

Colclough is absolutely quality but has had his injury issues. I’m hoping now he kicks on and plays consistently for the rest of the season - most our play will come down that side with Dobra and Coco linking up. We’ve lost Markanday at RW so will probably be Mandeville who is quality but less dangerous IMO.

Dunkley has been a huge miss. We’ve had to play CM Tom Naylor at CB and whilst he’s done a good job we’ve missed him in centre mid. Mcfadzean has signed now to replace Dunkley so hoping Naylor starts at CM.

Will be a good match up. Think it’ll be a draw but we need a win really.

This fixture rarely seems to end all square thinking about it, I recall a draw about 2010 when Richards scored for us and you equalized second half and of course our only point at your new place when Pope headed both ball and defenders boot to equalize late on to keep us in the auto spots late on in the promotion season. Usually seems to go Home Win. Had some real stinkers at Chesterfield away!

Aside from the 5-0 the only win of any sort was pre season a couple of years back when Wilson scored a stunner and Mad Covolan got sent off (a week before getting sent off on the opening day!) Didn't you guys loan him after he lost his place after a further sending off that same season?

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Naturally looking ahead to our match after this so having a quick peak at Gillingham's form...4 straight defeats and haven't scored, yikes. What the hell is going on there Gills fans? Pretty tough set of fixtures but still.

Hopefully you get something against Tranmere this weekend as we always seem to lose to sides on horrific runs!

Definitely reminded me of Accrington, very physical

 

[Cloudy]

I would say Chesterfield is one of the toughest away days in this division, so I'd take a draw all day.

Chesterfield sit 16th in the ‘home league table’, being victorious 4 times at home in League 2 this season

 

[leedsvaliant]

Chesterfield sit 16th in the ‘home league table’, being victorious 4 times at home in League 2 this season

Wow, I'm surprised at that. To be fair, we aren't much better at home. I wonder whether the expectation makes us a bit nervy at home.

Will still be tough though. I think with the signings Chesterfield have made it's clear they're not settling for mid table.

 

[SuperHans]

This fixture rarely seems to end all square thinking about it, I recall a draw about 2010 when Richards scored for us and you equalized second half and of course our only point at your new place when Pope headed both ball and defenders boot to equalize late on to keep us in the auto spots late on in the promotion season. Usually seems to go Home Win. Had some real stinkers at Chesterfield away!

Aside from the 5-0 the only win of any sort was pre season a couple of years back when Wilson scored a stunner and Mad Covolan got sent off (a week before getting sent off on the opening day!) Didn't you guys loan him after he lost his place after a further sending off that same season?

We signed him on a permanent and he got sent off away at Dorking leaving us with CM Ollie Banks in goal - absolute madman

 

[valefan16]

We signed him on a permanent and he got sent off away at Dorking leaving us with CM Ollie Banks in goal - absolute madman

Great guy off the pitch by all accounts but nuts on it!

His final sending off and end of his Vale career was against Swindon where Harry McKirdy getting stick as an ex player who didn't work out for us, long ball comes in, easy take for the keeper and he comes, catches it whilst Karate kicking McKirdy... straight red, Penalty conceded to go 2-1 down... it wasn't even like he was challenged it was an easy catch!

 

[OneDecentLester]

Chesterfield sit 16th in the ‘home league table’, being victorious 4 times at home in League 2 this season

Yep doesn’t surprise. A ridiculous amount of home draws at the start of the season for us in games where we dominated but couldn’t make the most of our chances and kept giving silly goals away (Swindon, Salford, Cheltenham, Colchester etc come to mind) . Probably a case of us adapting to the league at that time.

We don’t lose many at home though, I think it’s 3 defeats at home since the 2022/23 season.

 

[SuperHans]

Yep doesn’t surprise. A ridiculous amount of home draws at the start of the season for us in games where we dominated but couldn’t make the most of our chances and kept giving silly goals away (Swindon, Salford, Cheltenham, Colchester etc come to mind) . Probably a case of us adapting to the league at that time.

We don’t lose many at home though, I think it’s 3 defeats at home since the 2022/23 season.

You had to go and say it…

 

[spireite]

We signed him on a permanent and he got sent off away at Dorking leaving us with CM Ollie Banks in goal - absolute madman

I still remember watching the Bunch Of Amateurs episode of that and Marc White was saying to his players 'this keeper is volatile, I want you pressing him all the time, leave a little on' and that was a team who it was their very first game out of regional football.

Strange as it is, I think if he'd have been on the bench against County at Wembley and we'd have brought him on he'd have probably saved a couple of penalties, he's just that kind of character.

 

[We Are Sailing]

I still remember watching the Bunch Of Amateurs episode of that and Marc White was saying to his players 'this keeper is volatile, I want you pressing him all the time, leave a little on' and that was a team who it was their very first game out of regional football.

Strange as it is, I think if he'd have been on the bench against County at Wembley and we'd have brought him on he'd have probably saved a couple of penalties, he's just that kind of character.

It wouldn't have gone to penalties if he was in goal. I always hated poppadom hands. Shite keeper. Only ended up as number one because of the crowd on covolan's back. Fans cost us promotion that season.