Port Vale Post Match Thoughts

[LincsMiller]

Unfortunately only saw the second half, didn't know they were down to 10 men until Rotherham man sent off . Don't recall a shot on target . The 7 minutes added time seemed an eternity ,really hanging on . Positives ..3 points

[MILLERSTALE]

It was yearwood who lost the ball , not Benson when jules was sent off , Benson passed to yearwood he had a heavy touch. And the ball ran to there player and Jules brought him down

It was down a shocking pass from Benson pal !

[caytonmiller]

It was yearwood who lost the ball , not Benson when jules was sent off , Benson passed to yearwood he had a heavy touch. And the ball ran to there player and Jules brought him down

It was Benson who played the ball short to yearwood for their player to nip in.

[Tigerish]

We need to get Joe Powell on a long contract. He was our ONLY decent performer in the second half. The rest were awful. Sad but true. It's not a nice feeling

[GlennMiller]

I thought Kelly was excellent first half. He controlled the midfield and we moved the ball around quickly and effectively. My brother reminded me of a similar game against Wolves, first match of the season, when we went 2-0 up and they went down to ten men - we hung on for a draw. A minute later Vale had a player sent off and the nightmare started over!

After Vale went down to 10, I could not understand Dawson's distribution. Rather than playing the ball out to our spare man, he reverted to long kicks down the park which, on the majority of occasions, went harmlessly though to their keeper. We had minimal possession and he construed to hand it back to them every time we had the chance to keep the ball for a while.

However, 1 game down, 3 points on the board and lots of improvement to come with time and patience!

[Mr_bukaroo]

Expected a loss today, three points a nice bonus. Good first half is something to build on. A new side, playing a new way with some players who have only been at the club weeks, it? is going to take time.

[NorthWestCorner]

Reasonable first 35 mins but it went to pieces thereafter.

Hughill is a joke. Contributes nothing.

We are desperate for a strong commanding centre half to sit alongside the new lad. Btw the new lad is decent but he should be the right hand side of the three with an old hand in the middle.

Kelly also is next to useless after about 30 mins. You can see his class but he was a passenger after that.

All in all, I’m worried after seeing that. You can make the WIP comment all you like and make the obvious comment that it will take time but we were battered in that second half and looked lost. Reinforcements needed otherwise we will be hanging on to division one.

[Lolmorgan]

We need to get Joe Powell on a long contract. He was our ONLY decent performer in the second half. The rest were awful. Sad but true. It's not a nice feeling

What?s with this loving with Powell for the first 30mins he wasted everything,he?s certainly no Pringle.

[RU66]

Reasonable first 35 mins but it went to pieces thereafter.

Hughill is a joke. Contributes nothing.

We are desperate for a strong commanding centre half to sit alongside the new lad. Btw the new lad is decent but he should be the right hand side of the three with an old hand in the middle.

Kelly also is next to useless after about 30 mins. You can see his class but he was a passenger after that.

All in all, I’m worried after seeing that. You can make the WIP comment all you like and make the obvious comment that it will take time but we were battered in that second half and looked lost. Reinforcements needed otherwise we will be hanging on to division one.

How I see it with Kelly. James getting forward isn't strong enough. Recruitment apart from Agbaire no better than last year. Who we going to get from Europe any good. 2 trialists in midfield instead should have got one Vaulks type player. That new forward looks a panic signing too slow to catch a cold! McGuckin needs to be given a chance in the carabao cup is it James Clarke centre back another.

[Heliosphan78]

Aside from the game itself and given the centenary year, did anyone else see the 5 minute (or so) short video of some of our successes over the years, key goals and moments? They played it on the screen in the stadium before kick off.

I thought it was excellent and would love to see that again. Really well done to whoever put that together 🙌🫡

[Nardendee]

How I see it is that it was a remarkable win. It is a work in progress. That win will do wonders for effectively a team of strangers who will get better.
Port Vale were never going to lie down. They have a very good manager and had just been promoted so, I am very happy.

[Old_time_miller]

Lets get a few facts right. The line up, gore aside, there was only 2 new players in it. All played the 45.
First half, as per last season, can do ok, then the steam runs out. This is the main reason for the second half going haywire when the pace hots up and we cannot complete. Thus, the reason for nearly all the newbie subs. No option but to do it.
Before subs, after, there wasn?t much difference.

It will take quite some time, agbaire aside, to integrate the new players who look way off for various reasons. hence the starting line up.
Which MH will clearly be aware of and acted accordingly.
I don?t envy his job.

[Lasterman]

As everyone has said - game of two halves. When I heard we'd signed a 6'6" striker from Cardiff I was worried we'd lose him at Christmas. Now I'm worried we won't. Makes JCH look mobile.

But it's 3 points, and we had a good 30 minutes. Onwards and upwards.

[Old_time_miller]

And jules, as last season, is a total liability. 2 stupid yellows. Both avoidable. The first clearly. The second, did not have to tug him, as agbaire was last man and was covering.

[uttis]

Went today genuinely didn’t know what to expect I know they say pre season doesn’t matter but we’ve leaked 9 goals in 2 games pleasantly surprised by 3 points
Positives surprisingly the old guard came up with the goods solid performances from James Kelly and Hugill who all get stuck on here Agbaire absolute colossus at back got a mistake in him but 20!! Unbelievable! Nombe 2 goals enough said Powell good game does a good job defensively too which isn’t really what you associate with him special mention for Dawson made a good save but please enough if the time wasting refs have been told to clamps down on it especially these first few weeks
Negatives What’s up with Jules? Thought he was ok ish last year if he doesn’t up his game could be the odd man out with new signing Agbaire and perhaps Raggett to come back natural leader IF we can get him fit Benson really disappointed looked slow and lost ball too early to judge Martha and Etete getting stick already not ideal circs to come on as trying to hold a lead Martha seemed to be used as a second striker and he’s mainly a wide player? Etete REALLY rusty will reserve judgement but headless chicken springs to mind

PS Forgot to mention Rafferty good organising at back constantly talking especially to Hall at right wing back who is going to be class so fast!