Let's talk about the Port vale game

[Copps is Magic]

We won because of the quality and interplay of Sharp, Molyneux and Gibson up front. Must be the best attacking line up in the league. Everything else is a bit more average at the moment.

[Alan Southstand]

The bigger discussion in this game was that of the referee!

Appalling.

[Fal]

Great result and some great finishes to boot! Thanks Mols for the fantasy EFL points!

[coventryrover]

Their penalty sounded a bit suspect.

  stonewall.    God knows whatvTom was doing

[NickDRFC]

Lots of criticism of the penalty in the Lucky Pint but it was rightly given for me. Lots of other suspect decisions but Anderson was at fault there.

[NickDRFC]

Good win, though. We were under pressure for large spells so to come away with 3 points is a great result. Two more terrific goals for Moly as well with two excellent assists.

Midfield still doesn’t look right, though. Still struggling to find the right balance.

[The Beast]

I think Port Vale will get better as the season goes on, so to get 3 points there will be a massive result when we look back!

[Avsuptem]

Lots of criticism of the penalty in the Lucky Pint but it was rightly given for me. Lots of other suspect decisions but Anderson was at fault there.

Maybe it was rightly given but the problem I have with the decision is that you hardly ever see those situations given. And the defender went down far too easily and theatrically for me. but tbf I only saw it on the telly box.

[richtherover]

Even at 3-1 I was convinced we'd blow it. I agree midfield needs sorting but massive result. We'll done lads.

[RoversInSpain]

Super win against a side who I thought would be our hardest opponents so far in the league.
I’m sat here again thinking that should have been 1-5. On second viewing I think it’s a penalty on Yeboah.
Then Tom’s brain fart with the ball sailing high over him and Stockly. Think Grant might have a word. However at least Big Dave got a Pelanty.
3 class goals with lightning quick breaks, and top class passes to create them.
McGrath, with an unbelievable overhead of the line, and winning 2 attacking headers leaping way over their defenders, if he can get his direction right we’ll have a CB with a goal tally.
Well done lads!

[ncRover]

Sterry was a lot better today

Fleming shaky but was up against Cover and the young sub who were both rapid

[sedwardsdrfc]

Remember early on in the big run last season there were a few shaky or tight wins so I’m not overly concerned that there isn’t the right  balance etc yet. Winning breeds confidence which will improve everything we do. Soon it’ll look like a well oiled machine

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Remember early on in the big run last season there were a few shaky or tight wins so I’m not overly concerned that there isn’t the right  balance etc yet. Winning breeds confidence which will improve everything we do. Soon it’ll look like a well oiled machine

Exactly. Many games will be in the balance but if you win more than you lose, it's a good formula.

It's a good start to say we're asking questions of the squad while still learning about many of our players, who are still learning about each other.

Same with McCann who is prepared to mix things up, giving everyone a chance to perform. I reckon he'll keep doing this for at least ten games before getting a bit more ruthless with selections.

For example. One of the players who's yet to get going is Yeboah. We've seen both McCann and Byrne walking off the pitch with him, giving him one to one advice, as they know if he can realise some of his potential, he could have had two or three goals already. That arm round the shoulder is just what young players need.

All the little refinements, reducing mistakes, improving confidence will as you say,  just add a little premium oil to that machine.

[ForsolongaRover]

Remember early on in the big run last season there were a few shaky or tight wins so I’m not overly concerned that there isn’t the right  balance etc yet. Winning breeds confidence which will improve everything we do. Soon it’ll look like a well oiled machine

Exactly. Many games will be in the balance but if you win more than you lose, it's a good formula.

It's a good start to say we're asking questions of the squad while still learning about many of our players, who are still learning about each other.

Same with McCann who is prepared to mix things up, giving everyone a chance to perform. I reckon he'll keep doing this for at least ten games before getting a bit more ruthless with selections.

For example. One of the players who's yet to get going is Yeboah. We've seen both McCann and Byrne walking off the pitch with him, giving him one to one advice, as they know if he can realise some of his potential, he could have had two or three goals already. That arm round the shoulder is just what young players need.

All the little refinements, reducing mistakes, improving confidence will as you say,  just add a little premium oil to that machine.

Yeboah’s got quick feet, but having won the ball in a tight position he seems slow to capitalise on the possession and often he loses it again. The quick feet are a gift, but deciding what to do afterwards requires development of his judgment - as you imply.

[dickos1]

It’s not a pen for me, the ball was nowhere near them and stockley was never going to get anywhere near it, realised that and just fell over

[coventryrover]

It’s not a pen for me, the ball was nowhere near them and stockley was never going to get anywhere near it, realised that and just fell over

  Disagree.    Ball was in the vicinity and Tom clearly pulls his shirt had.   Stonewall pen

[Lesonthewest]

Lots of criticism of the penalty in the Lucky Pint but it was rightly given for me. Lots of other suspect decisions but Anderson was at fault there.

Absolutely shocking decision for me, had a great view of it, Stockley knew the ball was over his head & threw himself to the ground, more in hope & desperation, never a penalty,  so both he & the ref are cheating w---ers, justice was done with us receiving the 3 points.

[danumdon]

Good battling win today, its still obvious that we're not fully on it yet, the side are still getting to grips with each other after last season and it will take time, but the omens are good. Some of the interplay still lacks snap and accuracy, its those under hit or mistimed passes, the over hit crosses, these are the kind of things that will get trimmed down and allow us to really kick on.

PV don't look a bad side and i was thinking like others that this would be a difficult game for us, but GM is starting to instil a strength of character that will realy pay off going forwards.

On today's play, the pass from BS to allow Mols into space for the first was perfect. Fantastic shot to finish it off. Midfield is still a work in development which i think was affected by the midweek game at Everton. Clifton coming back into the side is a real breath of energy for our go forward, in our away games id like to see him play there but at home i'd be tempted to have Sbarra in front of him and Bailey, he looks like a player who could play virtually anywhere in the side. Not Westbrookes biggest fan but i thought he played well today.

Thought the defence as a unit were solid and tight today, Sterry was much better and with McGrath having a tremendous game alongside Anderson who was not shabby himself we looked good, the amount of work TSL had to do was testament to the four in front of him, that clearance of the line was masterful. Their penalty was weak, both players holding on to each other, and then Stockley throwing himself forward to the ground should have been enough doubt for a competent ref, as it was this fella was quite poor and allowed a great many infringements to go for both sides. Our penalty shout did not look much better and i was not surprised to not get it given. 8 mins at the end was bordering on corruption.

Overall a good, battling and combative performance which i'd imagine GM will be over the moon with. The response after the Everton games was exactly what we wanted and needed.

Keep it going lads.

[coventryrover]

Lots of criticism of the penalty in the Lucky Pint but it was rightly given for me. Lots of other suspect decisions but Anderson was at fault there.

Absolutely shocking decision for me, had a great view of it, Stockley knew the ball was over his head & threw himself to the ground, more in hope & desperation, never a penalty,  so both he & the ref are cheating w---ers, justice was done with us receiving the 3 points.

  your entitles ronyour view but qhere I was it was a clear massive pull on the blokes shirt.  Completely unnecessary

[ravenrover]

As Grant points out, and confirmed  by Kevin Friend pre season, if there is grappling and the ball is nowhere near  it will be ignored
This ref obviously didn't get the message

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Well, if you look at the highlights. Right after we see McGrath clearing off the line. The next passage of play you can see the PV player get grabbed by Tom as he runs by. They both disappear out of shot but when they emerge again, as the cross comes in, Tom has still got hold of him. I think the refs seen it but the PV player emphasised the point by going to ground. Can't blame ref for giving that as Tom's had hold off him while the players trying to break free. 

[rich1471]

Their penalty sounded a bit suspect.

A bit it was a shocking decision,the ref was poor all game for both sides

[StocksArmy]

McCann has to learn when we go a goal up, especially away from home that we need to take a bit more control defensively. The penalty decision needs to be spoken about and made viral even though we won the game it’s a complete farce of a decision.

[drfchound]

If a pen was given every time a defender holds an attacker or pulls a shirt then we would have about ten pens a game.
It doesn’t make it ok of course.
It is rare for pens to be given of course, in these circumstances.

[RoversInSpain]

It’s become a farce. At corners, why are referees stepping in before the kick is taken to tell players to be good boys and play fair. Why don’t they keep out of it and simply award a free kick or a penalty for the numerous fouls that occur when the ball floats in, then believe it or not even dumb players may start to understand it’s not the best scenario to wrestle in a footy match, ….Well,  Eventually

[StocksArmy]

Forgot to note that the ball from Sharp for the first goal was a joke. As was Gibson’s who I’ve been critical of.

[dickos1]

It’s not a pen for me, the ball was nowhere near them and stockley was never going to get anywhere near it, realised that and just fell over

  Disagree.    Ball was in the vicinity and Tom clearly pulls his shirt had.   Stonewall pen

Think you need to watch it again,
The ball was not going to be got to be either of them

[Alan Southstand]

On the highlights it’s clear the ball is way over their heads, as also explained by Molyneux in his interview. Then Grant adds further clarity to the situation with their pre-season meeting with referees and what should happen. This ref can’t have had any feedback from that meeting and, if he had, he chose to ignore it.

Then he decides to give no penalty for a tackle on Yeboah inside the 18 yard box. What’s his theory on that one, I wonder!

It’s diabolical.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Only seen the highlights so can’t comment on the ref overall. But with the pen why as a centre half would you take a lump of the centre forward shirt around his collar. Stupid decision by Anderson.

Yeah it’s going over both players heads but a shirt pull is a shirt pull isn’t it?

[ForsolongaRover]

It’s not a pen for me, the ball was nowhere near them and stockley was never going to get anywhere near it, realised that and just fell over

  Disagree.    Ball was in the vicinity and Tom clearly pulls his shirt had.   Stonewall pen

Think you need to watch it again,
The ball was not going to be got to be either of them

It would provide a bit more assurance if the ref was obliged to consult his assistant to get a second opinion, the problem being that he can’t watch all 15 plus players at once.