w/e Saturday 30th November

[kieran_vale]

Bromley for us tomorrow night not sure what to expect being honest I don't know a great deal about them.

Mean this in the nicest way but I hope they go super Stevenage on you with the shithousing and have you lot fuming about 9:30

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Bromley for us tomorrow night not sure what to expect being honest I don't know a great deal about them.

Can't defend to save their lives. Funnily enough they went 1 up against us as early as Vale did today but then they chose to sit back all game and once they tired, we took the game to them and scored two in the last 10 minutes to win the game and kick start our season. We were also pretty wasteful in that game too!

 

[Vale on Trent]

Also, fair play to Vale and Crewe fans. Over 10,000 there on a Monday night. Seen Crewe bring a lot less on a Saturday and seen some shocking Vale midweek attendances.

Maybe could have got 11/12,000 on a Saturday.

 

[Wootball]

Also, fair play to Vale and Crewe fans. Over 10,000 there on a Monday night. Seen Crewe bring a lot less on a Saturday and seen some shocking Vale midweek attendances.

Maybe could have got 11/12,000 on a Saturday.

I agree with that. Great crowd number for a weird time and televised game. Fair play to everyone that went. It's a 1-1 draw and I'm not sure either set of fans will be unhappy with it.

 

[Crewelad87]

A point gained all round I think. I thought it was a great advert for league 2 football. Not sure how it looked or sounded on the TV, but from the stands loads of effort, with some sprinkles of real quality. Might just be the acoustics of the ground but couldn't really hear the home support, but again might be the acoustics of the stand but thought the Crewe fans were loud throughout, even when behind.

 

[Vale on Trent]

A point gained all round I think. I thought it was a great advert for league 2 football. Not sure how it looked or sounded on the TV, but from the stands loads of effort, with some sprinkles of real quality. Might just be the acoustics of the ground but couldn't really hear the home support, but again might be the acoustics of the stand but thought the Crewe fans were loud throughout, even when behind.

Acoustics are rubbish - Vale Park never creates a good atmosphere. Each stand is too far away from each other and on too much of a slant. You can only hear the people singing around you. I couldn’t hear the Crewe fans from the opposite corner of the Railway.

 

[leedsvaliant]

I think we'd have all taken a point before the game. We're not playing particularly well at the moment but still ticking the points over, which is a good sign. Crewe were clearly full of confidence and have strength and pace, with a couple of clever little footballers...you can see why they are up there. Thought the first half was quite even...Crewe had a spell of 15-20 minutes of the half and we had the before and after. Felt we looked more likely to score a 2nd at that point. You can't really analyse the 2nd half or make any sort of judgement...we were always going to drop deep and we nearly saw it out.

Crewe fans warned us about this ref before. He's one of those horrible refs that wants to be involved. The first Harper booking was so soft but then he let go 2 Crewe challenges either side. Once we'd had 2 bookings in the first half, I thought we might get a man sent off. When you've got a 'my show' ref, you shouldn't do something braindead like Harper did. The ref was itching to get his cards out. Inconsistent decisions all night...where do they get these amateurs from?

It's a shame really because it ruined the 2nd half as an even spectacle. Feel like both sides would have had more chances.

 

[leedsvaliant]

A point gained all round I think. I thought it was a great advert for league 2 football. Not sure how it looked or sounded on the TV, but from the stands loads of effort, with some sprinkles of real quality. Might just be the acoustics of the ground but couldn't really hear the home support, but again might be the acoustics of the stand but thought the Crewe fans were loud throughout, even when behind.

Yeah, we get this with a lot of teams. It sounds loud when you're in it but you literally can't hear anything from the other side of the pitch because of the distance from the pitch and the openness of the ground. Heard 2 chants I think from Crewe....I'm not saying you didn't sing all the way through but you simply can't hear it.

 

[mozzavale]

A point gained all round I think. I thought it was a great advert for league 2 football. Not sure how it looked or sounded on the TV, but from the stands loads of effort, with some sprinkles of real quality. Might just be the acoustics of the ground but couldn't really hear the home support, but again might be the acoustics of the stand but thought the Crewe fans were loud throughout, even when behind.

I was sat right next to the Crewe fans. They were loud at times, but thought the Hamil and Paddock were loud for us too. On the odd occasion all 3 sides sang near the end we were really loud. Great atmosphere for a L2 match.

Can't be doing with that putting on a show song. Really dislike it.

 

[valefan16]

Harsh on Harper as he did have a decent game, the footwork is clearly of a higher level but silly to make that tackle there.

That said the referee didn’t seem interested in booking Crewe players for the same thing! The one where Chis gets taken out and their lad gets a warning and 10 seconds later, same challenge by Hart straight in the book.

Was dreadful.

Hackford was the wrong sub, gave us no outlet at all, Paton would have been better because he can hold the ball up (probably pings that free kick in the top bin that Chislett wasted as well).

As said not too downbeat about that, they’ve had the extra man for 49/50 minutes and it took them 43-44 for break us which is a monumental effort. Would have liked maybe us not too sit as deep as we did but that’s Darren Moore and he’s not done much wrong this season.

Last season we lose that 3 or 4-1 so to dig in and fight like we did we certainly fully deserved to get the point we got and keeps us ticking over nicely.

Big game at Cheltenham so if we can win there and set up another game where the opposition are going to be seeing it probably as a bigger rivalry that it is to us so will have to have the same battle there.

Fair play to Crewe, ditched the Crewe way (used to moan at us under Micky for being physical and robust!) but they kept going and a decent advert for L2. Just a shame a moment of madness killed the game for us and possibly 2 more points.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Doing your own players a massive disservice there. There's always a false expectancy that playing against 10 men is easy. It really isn't and we've had problems playing against 10 men for years. The fact your defenders and keeper were outstanding throughout such a one sided half meant it was a huge sense of relief that we got what we deserved so late in the game so why not celebrate it?

Also we're both in a promotion race. I know it's only the sour grapes and disappointment of dropping 2 points in injury time but if tonight isn't a big game to you I'd genuinely take up tiddlywinks or something.

Fair enough. Like I say, it's each to their own, no sour grapes from me and of course you're going to celebrate an equaliser late on. But if it were my team I'd be glad we'd rescued a point but mightily disappointed that we hadn't taken 3. I'm not sure whether I'd celebrate full time after playing 10 men for nearly 50 minutes and only getting a point.

The reaction at the end was odd for me but again that's just me. Same as Barnsley the other week celebrating like they'd won the fa Cup.

 

[valefan16]

Can't defend to save their lives. Funnily enough they went 1 up against us as early as Vale did today but then they chose to sit back all game and once they tired, we took the game to them and scored two in the last 10 minutes to win the game and kick start our season. We were also pretty wasteful in that game too!

Funny you say that but Bromley now have a better defensive record away than Crewe after tonight which surprised me! Only 6 conceded on the road.

 

[Mid-Cheshire-Alex]

Back home after a decent nights entertainment. Cracking atmosphere in the ground, and 2 good sides on show who didn’t let league 2 down with what was on offer.

Positives for us, that never give up attitude, I think a lot of us in the away end thought we would never score and it was going to be one of those nights, but we kept at it. I’ve never seen an 11 v 10 situation where the 11 were so dominant but the 10 could have won, talk about 1 way traffic. Credit to us we made it look like 11 v 8 at times in that 2nd half, and I don’t think our keeper made 1 save all night, not bad away from home versus top of the league.

Negatives for us, I think we overplayed a bit once we realised just how dominant we were in the 2nd half, tried to look for that perfect goal, but maybe I am being a tad harsh as possibly that was us not panicking and sticking to our game plan.

As for the Vale, really heroic at the back I thought in that 2nd half, they had to be as it was wave after wave of our attacks, guess that comes from Big Dave seeing he played in a similar fashion. You can see why they are up there, they are strong enough to hold onto a 1-0 lead, and against a lesser side tonight they would have again.

 

[mozzavale]

Seen Shorrocks screamer back. Doesn't get a deflection for me. The curl and spin on the ball might give that impression but for me it goes straight in. Top top quality goal from such a young lad, only 17.

For all their dominance 2nd half, still think we missed 2 great chances go in half time at least 2 up. Then 2nd half without the foul on Chis on the edge of the area he gets a decent chance away, which he scores those type of chance usually.

No damage done, secured top spot for another week at least going into the Cheltenham game, and the distance to 4th is 6 points which ultimately is the main thing.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Funny you say that but Bromley now have a better defensive record away than Crewe after tonight which surprised me! Only 6 conceded on the road.

That really did surprise me but we did play them at their place in fairness! Maybe they often play for a 0-0 away from home?

 

[Wootball]

Seen Shorrocks screamer back. Doesn't get a deflection for me. The curl and spin on the ball might give that impression but for me it goes straight in. Top top quality goal from such a young lad, only 17.

For all their dominance 2nd half, still think we missed 2 great chances go in half time at least 2 up. Then 2nd half without the foul on Chis on the edge of the area he gets a decent chance away, which he scores those type of chance usually.

No damage done, secured top spot for another week at least going into the Cheltenham game, and the distance to 4th is 6 points which ultimately is the main thing.

I mean 'for me' is odd - it takes a deflection. It's not a subjective thing.

 

[Wootball]

 

[leedsvaliant]

Back home after a decent nights entertainment. Cracking atmosphere in the ground, and 2 good sides on show who didn’t let league 2 down with what was on offer.

Positives for us, that never give up attitude, I think a lot of us in the away end thought we would never score and it was going to be one of those nights, but we kept at it. I’ve never seen an 11 v 10 situation where the 11 were so dominant but the 10 could have won, talk about 1 way traffic. Credit to us we made it look like 11 v 8 at times in that 2nd half, and I don’t think our keeper made 1 save all night, not bad away from home versus top of the league.

Negatives for us, I think we overplayed a bit once we realised just how dominant we were in the 2nd half, tried to look for that perfect goal, but maybe I am being a tad harsh as possibly that was us not panicking and sticking to our game plan.

As for the Vale, really heroic at the back I thought in that 2nd half, they had to be as it was wave after wave of our attacks, guess that comes from Big Dave seeing he played in a similar fashion. You can see why they are up there, they are strong enough to hold onto a 1-0 lead, and against a lesser side tonight they would have again.

I think we made the tactical decision to let you have all the ball and just sit back with 2 banks of 4. We were 1-0 up, so no real point in trying to go at you with a man less. So hence you had all the ball and territory 2nd half. It very nearly worked.

As I said previously, I felt pretty relaxed and thought we were going to see it out. But for a lapse in concentration by our young wing back, we would have done. For all the possession, I can only really recall Ripley making a couple of saves.

Think you're right that you kept trying to find that extra pass and then having a pop from a long way out.

Delighted with a point really that keeps a decent gap from 4th place. Especially when we are nowhere near our best at the moment. Garrity or Byers in that team and we look a lot sounder.

I just wonder whether the referee subconsciously favoured Crewe after their trouble with him last season. It certainly seemed like they got the lions share of decisions.

 

[Wootball]

I think we made the tactical decision to let you have all the ball and just sit back with 2 banks of 4. We were 1-0 up, so no real point in trying to go at you with a man less. So hence you had all the ball and territory 2nd half. It very nearly worked.

As I said previously, I felt pretty relaxed and thought we were going to see it out. But for a lapse in concentration by our young wing back, we would have done. For all the possession, I can only really recall Ripley making a couple of saves.

Think you're right that you kept trying to find that extra pass and then having a pop from a long way out.

Delighted with a point really that keeps a decent gap from 4th place. Especially when we are nowhere near our best at the moment. Garrity or Byers in that team and we look a lot sounder.

I just wonder whether the referee subconsciously favoured Crewe after their trouble with him last season. It certainly seemed like they got the lions share of decisions.

That ref just isn't good at all. But, none of the questionable decisions he made last night actually affected the game. The sending off is something I've seen over and over now, and they're both yellow cards and a correct decision. Harper should know better. I mean, he's terrible anyway, but wasn't usually stupid. That was stupid.

We probably should have had at least a couple of bookings, but that wouldn't have changed the game. A bad ref isn't necessarily a game changing ref, and last night is a prime example IMO.

 

[Si Robin]

That really did surprise me but we did play them at their place in fairness! Maybe they often play for a 0-0 away from home?

They didn't at Whaddon Road - even when down to 10 men they attacked throughout.

Bromley are what I call meat and potatoes. You know exactly what you're going to get from them from the first minute until the last. They're big, and by that I mean they are fucking massive - the biggest team I think I've ever seen - and they play to their strengths. If your team isn't up for a scrap it will get it's nose bloodied.

 

[leedsvaliant]

That ref just isn't good at all. But, none of the questionable decisions he made last night actually affected the game. The sending off is something I've seen over and over now, and they're both yellow cards and a correct decision. Harper should know better. I mean, he's terrible anyway, but wasn't usually stupid. That was stupid.

We probably should have had at least a couple of bookings, but that wouldn't have changed the game. A bad ref isn't necessarily a game changing ref, and last night is a prime example IMO.

2nd yellow was stupid...don't understand why he went flying into a tackle, absolutely brain dead when on a yellow card, the 1st yellow was very, very soft....a better ref lets those go first hslf as otherwise you're making a rod for your own back. If a couple of your players had been booked first half, they'd have also been walking a tightrope. I think it might have been Cooney who committed the foul first half, who then subsequently got booked. He then proceeded to award you a lot in the second half, inviting more pressure.

So, in terms of affecting the game, I guess we'll never know. To me he looked a bit young and inexperienced for a game where two top teams in the division are playing each other. An older head wouldn't be sending anyone off last night as he'd understand that tackles are going to happen.

 

[Wootball]

2nd yellow was stupid...don't understand why he went flying into a tackle, absolutely brain dead when on a yellow card, the 1st yellow was very, very soft....a better ref lets those go first hslf as otherwise you're making a rod for your own back. If a couple of your players had been booked first half, they'd have also been walking a tightrope. I think it might have been Cooney who committed the foul first half, who then subsequently got booked. He then proceeded to award you a lot in the second half, inviting more pressure.

So, in terms of affecting the game, I guess we'll never know. To me he looked a bit young and inexperienced for a game where two top teams in the division are playing each other. An older head wouldn't be sending anyone off last night as he'd understand that tackles are going to happen.

I agree with you. A bad ref is a bad ref. He screwed us last season in a much worse way, so I can empathise totally. I still don't think he actively changed the game, but he was still shit.

 

[mozzavale]

View attachment 21088

That's called curl, he hit across the ball so it sliced right to left. Played the game you'd know that.

 

[mozzavale]

I think we made the tactical decision to let you have all the ball and just sit back with 2 banks of 4. We were 1-0 up, so no real point in trying to go at you with a man less. So hence you had all the ball and territory 2nd half. It very nearly worked.

As I said previously, I felt pretty relaxed and thought we were going to see it out. But for a lapse in concentration by our young wing back, we would have done. For all the possession, I can only really recall Ripley making a couple of saves.

Think you're right that you kept trying to find that extra pass and then having a pop from a long way out.

Delighted with a point really that keeps a decent gap from 4th place. Especially when we are nowhere near our best at the moment. Garrity or Byers in that team and we look a lot sounder.

I just wonder whether the referee subconsciously favoured Crewe after their trouble with him last season. It certainly seemed like they got the lions share of decisions.

Agree with all of this. 1st half Crewe looked toothless. Seemed to have nice patterns but created nothing but a long range shot straight at Ripley. 2nd half with a man advantage other than the goal they still created very few decent chances, all mainly from distance. Like you say Cover to blame for the goal. Has to stop the cross. Wasn't even stretching.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Lee Bell's recollection of the game seems patchy too. He thought Crewe were the better team 11 v 11. I'm not quite sure which game he was at, but it wasn't last night. Crewe had a lot of needless possession first half and I believe had their first shot on target right at the end of the half. By that point we could have been 2 or 3 up. Even the neutral match reports suggest as much.

I'm all for bigging up your own team but how many times do we have to reiterate that 5 yard passes side to side does not make the better team.

 

[Wootball]

That's called curl, he hit across the ball so it sliced right to left. Played the game you'd know that.

It hits his back, you can see it in all the replays. You don't need to patronise people, it's not about playing the game. Yes it's a potentially curling shot that's hit very well, it's still deflected by Holicek. I can't believe this is something that's even being debated, you're literally the only person seeing it the way you do. I've seen bias clouding facts before, but this is a weird one.

 

[lordofthepies]

Lee Bell's recollection of the game seems patchy too. He thought Crewe were the better team 11 v 11. I'm not quite sure which game he was at, but it wasn't last night. Crewe had a lot of needless possession first half and I believe had their first shot on target right at the end of the half. By that point we could have been 2 or 3 up. Even the neutral match reports suggest as much.

I'm all for bigging up your own team but how many times do we have to reiterate that 5 yard passes side to side does not make the better team.

I think he's entitled to that opinion, but I also think Darren Moore is entitled to think Vale shaded it. It was basically pretty even - we had a good 20 minute spell of pressure without creating enough but Vale had the better chances in the first half.

 

[Wootball]

First half was even. We came into it and started to get control of it (have a look at OVF, the live posts during the game by Vale fans will also corroborate this) but Vale had the best of the rest.

Second half was just attack vs defense and if we were more clinical we'd have had 4.

 

[lordofthepies]

Seen Shorrocks screamer back. Doesn't get a deflection for me. The curl and spin on the ball might give that impression but for me it goes straight in. Top top quality goal from such a young lad, only 17.

I think it's pretty clear on the angle from behind the shot that it does take a slight deflection of Holicek. It doesn't really matter though, it was an absolute screamer and a slight touch off the defenders takes nothing away from that.

 

[valefan16]

Listened to the radio on the way back and some of the Crewe fans were a bit over the top about "ripping us to bits" etc, we willingly handed position due to being a man down, with 11 men we went to Notts County and set up pretty similar and deservedly won by forcing them into the same thing, just with 11 we had an outlet and could hit them on the break which we couldn't with just a kid up front on his own who is all about pace rather than a holding striker.

I thought 11 v 11 despite Lee Bell's comments we more than matched them and were comfortable, had 2 other good chances where wrong decisions and poor execution saw them pass by, why Stockley laid off to Cover I don't know late first half, but we generally don't mind teams having the ball when we are leading anyway, and Ripley 11 v 11 didn't have a save of note to make either.

I feared the worst when Harper wen't off and we defended very deep by design which wasn't great for the heart strings but is very DM, shame we couldn't hold out, ideally we'd have taken Cover off there and put a natural RWB in and thrown Smith or Jesse on but Hart, Hall, Hennighan and Sang performed heroically, Sang has gone from being the fall guy last season to integral this.

Seeing the Shorrock goal back as well, great hit, the connection is perfect and technique, for all the noise about our big spending and big name signings at this level its often missed that our youth system has been doing wonders for a couple of years and Shorrock at 17 is going to probably be our next big sale, the curling assist at Milton Keynes was world class and then he adds in with that last night.

Overall happy not to lose in the situation, especially with that referee who gave Crewe every 50-50 and seemed to only be able to book ours, with results this weekend with Doncaster, Notts and Crewe, drawing and further back Grimsby and Gills losing it keeps the status Quo and whilst slightly disappointing we didn't see it out the Trojonic effect the boys put in against a decent side with a man down means I can't really be disappointed with them. We have injuries due back and had a lot out last night so we are trundling along nicely with some key players due to return imminently so all positive at the moment.