Let's talk about the Port vale game

[selby]

  Not a place we have had much success at in the past when I have gone there, and a meeting with Darren Moore's side who will want to put one over us as much as we would like to beat them.
  Beaten 4-0 in their game last weekend they will want to bounce back as much as we need to after our defeat at Everton where we played some decent football but hardly laid a glove on their goal as Everton just held us at arms length.
  Anderson probably comes back in to partner Olowu and Lawlor will revert to the bench again and a hard game will be in prospect for us as the Vale drew their fist game at home 0-0 so will want to open their account with goals against us.
  If Moore goes to type our press on their back line and midfield could be the catalyst for any success we might have as he loves playing out from the back and across the field, and closing it down could bring success.
  At Everton this evening the changes we made to the starting line up didn't seem to upset our game too much and with six changes from Saturday's starting line up shows we have for our level strength in depth.
  More important is our approach to the game after the disappointment at Newport where we were unexpectedly poor and we need to be better than that.
  Without hitting the heights of our run last season we have started steady away, the shocker at Newport hopefully a one off and behind us.
  So after our joust with Everton it is back to the importance of the league games and a test of can we go again on a run of unbeaten games, this fixture is likely to show where we are at with regard to most in the division, and in an unusual early start.
  Lots to discuss about this game, a bit of an unknown opponent who we have not met for a while, and  our old manager at the helm adding a bit of edge to the game. What do you think?
  Will the starting line up resemble last weeks line up against Morecambe? or the Everton starting line up?
  Please have your say.

[Chris Black come back]

Our form against Port Vale in recent history is one of the odder runs we have. The last five games home and away have seen Port Vale have four wins and a draw. The previous five games had Rovers with four wins and a draw.

Our last two visits there have seen us get beaten 3-0 on both occasions. We last scored a goal at Vale Park in November 2007 (Guy, Hayter and Wellens).

[selby]

About time weset about changing that then, the group looks strong after the last two games v Everton and Morecambe and we have alternatives that can come in for the first time in a long time.
  A win would make a statement  and give confidence although Vale will not be easy we need to build on the performance last night, the team selection is getting harder and what the manager is paid for to sort out and guide the way forward.
  Another little run of wins is what we want to aim for, and we look stronger than when we did it last season, we need to just go for it.

[les@donr]

I wonder if the impact of the Everton game might leave some players jaded for the weekend. PV have not had a mid week match, they would have trained all week and be fresh for Saturday’s game. We could be a end of a hiding.

[ncRover]

I wonder if the impact of the Everton game might leave some players jaded for the weekend. PV have not had a mid week match, they would have trained all week and be fresh for Saturday’s game. We could be a end of a hiding.

I predict:

                             TSL

Sterry       Olowu          Anderson      Fleming

                        Westbrooke

               Clifton              Broadbent

Molyneux              Sharp               Gibson

[steve@dcfd]

I believe this could be the team

                         TSL

Sterry.       Anderson.     McGrath.     Fleming

                Bailey.       Kelly

                         Clifton

Molyneux.         Ironside.          Gibson

Subs.   Lawlor.    Senior or Yeboah   Olowu.   Broadbent Sbarra.or Westbrooke.  Hurst  Sharp


Senior if Grant goes extra defender Yeboah if extra attacker 

[GazLaz]

I wonder if the impact of the Everton game might leave some players jaded for the weekend. PV have not had a mid week match, they would have trained all week and be fresh for Saturday’s game. We could be a end of a hiding.

Away trips Tues/Sat aren’t easy. Especially against a team that has had a full weeks prep.

[DearneValleyRover]

I wonder if the impact of the Everton game might leave some players jaded for the weekend. PV have not had a mid week match, they would have trained all week and be fresh for Saturday’s game. We could be a end of a hiding.

I predict:

                             TSL

Sterry       Olowu          Anderson      Fleming

                        Westbrooke

               Clifton              Broadbent

Molyneux              Sharp               Gibson

He won’t drop Bailey

[selby]

 Don't forget the 12-30 pm kick off on Saturday for broadcasting reasons no doubt.
  Means an early set off for those traveling to the game which could be a bonus with congestion.
  The teams picked by supporters show we now have options with cover for most places, the difficult part Grants, finding the optimum mix that is our best team, which to be honest I would have difficulty with as most have had good games over preseason and the few competitive games we have had so the onus is on the management to find the successful formula he found last season.
  If he does, and I am confident in them to do so, we could be in for a very good season, here's hoping

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I don't think Port Vale are all that. Terrible pre season and a surprising 0-2 win at Salford on opening day. A 4-0 humbling last time out at Barrow shows they are vulnerable but credit to Barrow for putting them away with some good goals.

We've seen quite a bit of chopping and changing already and you wonder how much more before McCann finds the right blend and balance, particularly in midfield.

As yet, we've not been a cohesive unit and been that convincing over a full 90 mins.

When do we start getting better service to Ironside and getting him into the game more, and I don't mean just having the usual wrestling match with their centre halves. Surely, there's more he can contribute if we avoid going long with high balls and try to play to feet. Have we seen any of our players look like they're getting an understanding with him? Where are the inviting crosses for him to attack? 

It's early days but we need to improve our off the ball movement and passing. Doing so for short periods in games isn't going to be enough to separate us from the rest of the pack.

Despite PV being overated by the bookies, we will need to put on our best show yet to win this. We have the players, can we get them on the pitch in the right order at the right time?

[steve@dcfd]

Positive news about Tom Nixon he could be available this weekend against Port Vale so apart from Maxwell and Wood all other players are available for Saturday and Tuesday

[Nudga]

Bin off Sterry, awful defender. Nixon gets my vote for a run of games.

[i_ateallthepies]

I don't think Port Vale are all that. Terrible pre season and a surprising 0-2 win at Salford on opening day. A 4-0 humbling last time out at Barrow shows they are vulnerable but credit to Barrow for putting them away with some good goals.

We've seen quite a bit of chopping and changing already and you wonder how much more before McCann finds the right blend and balance, particularly in midfield.

As yet, we've not been a cohesive unit and been that convincing over a full 90 mins.

When do we start getting better service to Ironside and getting him into the game more, and I don't mean just having the usual wrestling match with their centre halves. Surely, there's more he can contribute if we avoid going long with high balls and try to play to feet. Have we seen any of our players look like they're getting an understanding with him? Where are the inviting crosses for him to attack? 

It's early days but we need to improve our off the ball movement and passing. Doing so for short periods in games isn't going to be enough to separate us from the rest of the pack.

Despite PV being overated by the bookies, we will need to put on our best show yet to win this. We have the players, can we get them on the pitch in the right order at the right time?

Not necessarily 

[sedwardsdrfc]

Bin off Sterry, awful defender. Nixon gets my vote for a run of games.

Must admit I prefer Nixon. He looked good v Villa and has whenever I’ve seen him.

[StocksArmy]

Can see Gibson being dropped for Hurst or Yeboah and Ironside coming in for Sharp.

[scawsby steve]

TSL

Nixon
Olowu
Anderson
Fleming

Westbrooke
Bailey
Clifton

Moly
Ironside
Gibson

[Ryaldinhio]

Bin off Sterry, awful defender. Nixon gets my vote for a run of games.

I agree.

Sterry at fault for goal 2 and 3 against Everton, awful positioning and defending. Does it regular. One other week when he was doing his hair after half time, left his man at back post.

Maybe a bit harsh BUT I would give Nixon a decent run and make Sterry win the shirt back.

[les@donr]

PV forum know the dangers of Moly and Gibs. They are wondering where their next goal is coming from. They are also complaining about DM ponderous formations especially his five man defence.

[ForsolongaRover]

Based on what he did at Everton, Fleming looks the sort of player who is able to "read" the game from the organisational point of view as a match progresses and should be a real asset. We have lacked dynamism in these league games and we won't beat good teams without it.

[steve@dcfd]

If Nixon is ready then GM could change him for Sterry depends if he ready to play

[steve@dcfd]

Based on what he did at Everton, Fleming looks the sort of player who is able to "read" the game from the organisational point of view as a match progresses and should be a real asset. We have lacked dynamism in these league games and we won't beat good teams without it.

????
Fleming wasn’t in the squad for Everton

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Based on what he did at Everton, Fleming looks the sort of player who is able to "read" the game from the organisational point of view as a match progresses and should be a real asset. We have lacked dynamism in these league games and we won't beat good teams without it.

Agree. Fleming can change feet in an instant which can get him past players even without having to be quick, so as we saw in his debut, he can get to the byline and get crosses in, which we don't see much of down the left.  He also can cut in and shoot , which means he can work better in tandem with Gibson, over or underlapping etc.

I think I would also tend to agree with the choice of Nixon if he's fit enough to start. Will just give us a bit more robustness in defence than Sterry.

As for midfield. Crikey. Away from home I would probably favour Bailey and Broadbent as two sitters  staying fairly close together, with Clifton just in front doing alot of the free running and closing down, plus occasionally getting up to support Ironside. Hopefully, that combo will help us to get them on the break, but the passing to the runners will have to be spot on.

Gibson and Moly both prepared to do the diagonal runs to beat the offsides.

Be a bit more patient, less gung ho trying to force things and let's suck them in.

[Metalmicky]

Another addition to the Port Vale ranks....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c86lyd86n93o

[Chris Black come back]

McGrath in for Olowu. Sharp in for Ironside. Midfield of Westbrooke, Clifton and Bailey. Senior and Nixon not in squad.

[selby]

Lot's going on in this game especially off the ball that is either being let go or hasn't been seen by the officials.
  Anderson and McGrath looking solid now 3-1 Moly onto a great through ball showed pace and composure and right foot as well a great strike across the keeper as he came out, we just need to keep it going. for a good away result.
  It has been a physical game another ref would have had a field day at with bookings,  and at the beginning of last season we would have probably shrunk away from.

[Chris Black come back]

Their penalty sounded a bit suspect.

[LincsRover]

Great result and even sweeter to beat DM!! 

[bpoolrover]

Amazing result well
Done

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Great 3 points. Still things to work on but the important thing is to measure our progress compared to this time last season and, how close we are to the 2 points per game average. Position in the league is only cosmetic at this stage.

[Plumbster]

Agreed decent points total and I think there is still a lot of improvement still to come