Port Vale

[Amber Aleman]

I see this game as something of a 'free hit'. On paper, Port Vale and Mansfield away are the most difficult of our remaining eight league fixtures, and most neutrals will be predicting a home win. We know that Vale are a strong League Two side. But we've won this season at Northampton and Tranmere, two other clubs in the promotion mix, and we might just surprise a few people once again.

If some of our players are back from injury tomorrow, as looks likely, then that will give us a lift. I believe that the home side have a few fitness doubts of their own. Ben Garrity, Jamie Proctor and James Wilson are their main goal threats.

My recommended pub in Burslem is the Bull's Head (14 St John's Square ST6 3AJ), which I understand is one of the few pubs in the vicinity that welcomes away fans. Owned by the nearby Titanic Brewery (the doomed liner's Captain Smith hailed from Stoke-on-Trent), the pub offers a range of their excellent beers (including the wonderful Plum Porter) as well as real ciders, malt whiskies, fruit wines and bottled Belgian beers. We can also expect a pre-match barbeque. Vale Park is a 10-15 minute walk away.

[toothman]

Mar 25, 2022 17:52:17 GMT sol said:

Toothman - hope all’s well.

I am smiling 🙂 at me trying to explain commentating from the opposite side to a TV gantry.

If you see me tomorrow come over and nudge me and we will have a chat - easier for me to explain.

Always optimistic me always!

Enjoy the game.

Sorry Sol won’t be at the game sadly - on my way to the Lake District with wife daughter and dog - won’t appreciate a stop off in the potteries! Will be at Wembley- are you on duty for us - the BBC ?

[leedsvaliant]

Hi All. Port Vale fan here.

Firstly, I hope that you enjoy your visit to Burslem. It has seen better days and at the height of the pottery industry, it was quite a well to do town. Some of the old buildings are lovely but unfortunately it's a bit rough and ready. The best thing about the ground is that unlike some of these modern stadia, it is based close to a town with a number of pubs. The Bulls Head regularly wins CAMRA awards, it's a cracking boozer.

I missed the away game. By all accounts, we played really well but we just couldn't cope with your style of play and it was just one of those amazing games (especially when you are on the right end of it!). We have had 4 or 5 games where we have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and it could cost us. Funnily enough, I come to Sutton on business at Kimpton Link Business Park about 5 times a year but yet to visit your ground. Maybe next year in league one? My friend lives in Earlsfield, so would be good to play AFC Wimbledon too!

We've had a hectic schedule, as have many in this league. Some of our players are not long back from long term injuries and we've still got several out with injuries. Keep Proctor, Wilson and Garrity fit and we're a game for anyone but we looked jaded on Tuesday.

We're not overly pacey or have any massively skillful individuals but we work incredibly hard, are quite physical and our running and fitness levels are unreal.

We're not great at dealing with high balls, which I understand is a strength of yours. Let's hope we've trained for your strengths!

I respect fans from London who choose to support their local team rather than a Chelsea, Arsenal or other big London team. We're surrounded in this area by Manchester United and Liverpool 'fans' who never go.

Have a safe journey and enjoy your day (but not too much!)

[shaneaib]

'what do you prefer - a radio commentary or a tv commentary.' for me personally I prefer radio commentary, listening from afar I get more involved listening to radio commentary, easier as well if I am out and about to listen to radio commentary. Whatever the commentary, you guys do a great job. Safe journey to one and all tomorrow.

Mar 25, 2022 16:07:01 GMT sol said:

All aboard - on the supporters coach - tomorrow maybe my last away trip of this historic season (work might get in the way of the remaining three).

Q to all:
Conor and myself are on commentary duties and I wanted to know what do you prefer - a radio commentary or a tv commentary.

The reason I ask - I feel we are stuck between both as sometimes the matches are live streamed and sometimes there not.

And it’s difficult to do a TV commentary when your on the opposite side of the tv gantry.

Hope that all makes sense?

============

I was at the home fixture what a day - pre match lunch and then in warm October sunshine ☀️ breaking down Port Vale for that famous 4-3 last last minute winner.


Port Vale 1 SU 5
👋🎈⚽️🍰

[sol]

Mar 25, 2022 19:53:44 GMT toothman said:

Mar 25, 2022 17:52:17 GMT sol said:

Toothman - hope all’s well.

I am smiling 🙂 at me trying to explain commentating from the opposite side to a TV gantry.

If you see me tomorrow come over and nudge me and we will have a chat - easier for me to explain.

Always optimistic me always!

Enjoy the game.

Sorry Sol won’t be at the game sadly - on my way to the Lake District with wife daughter and dog - won’t appreciate a stop off in the potteries! Will be at Wembley- are you on duty for us - the BBC ?

Have a nice trip TOOTHMAN.

I was going to Wembley as a supporter but my boss (bbc) pulled rank so will be covering the final for 5 Live Football ⚽️.

Can’t wait.

(When the players walk up the steps to lift the trophy 🏆- they’ll walk past my broadcasting position).

👋🎈⚽️

[terrier]

The only players I didn’t see get off the coach were Eastmond, Bennett, Milsom and Barden.

[davep]

Good to see a number of players back today - in particular (from my perspective at least) great to see Tanto back in the matchday squad. Based on recent interview he gave about looking forward to playing against his old club (Rotherham), suspect that Rob Milsom anticipates being available for selection for next week. Would be good for a substantive update on Ali Smith and Jon Barden. Clearly, we can only include 18 players in the matchday squad - but I think that Ricky K is a little unlucky not to be in the starting Xi and similarly Adam Lovatt not being included in the squad. Port Vale team looks strong.

[garethl]

One thing’s for sure on comms you will have to listen to thousands of games before listening to anything as bad, snide and classless as the pair of clowns commentating for Vale.

No complaints with the result. We didn’t start first 20 or so. Huffed a bit but didn’t take one of our chances to get us back into it.

[halftimet]

Just got home. Have not looked at the stats and whilst we did have a few chances I cannot remember a shot on target.

[Andy K]

Today we were beaten by a far better side. If Omar or Eastmond took their chances, or that looping header was a couple of inches lower, it could have been different. But no complaints or any feeling we've been hard done by.

MoM for me was Ben Wyatt. Thought he was great today. The flipside is that Ajiboyes form seems to have gone off a cliff in recent weeks, which I think is a huge concern.

Next stop though, Wembley.

[Amber Aleman]

Our players today were mentally either still on the coach or at Wembley. Against a decent side we were 30-40% below where we needed to be. No surprise that we lost.

The contrast between the two sides was encapsulated in two snapshot volleys. Jamie Proctor's sailed into our net. Craig Eastmond's sailed over the bar.

Next stop Wembley.

[leedsvaliant]

We're pretty strong at home, so no shame in getting beat at Vale Park. Plus, we're in a really good vein of form.

Thought we started strongly and you came back into it in the last 20 minutes of the 1st half. You can see why you have caused teams issues....get the ball into the box and look to win second balls. You had a couple of snapshots from second balls that just didn't work out.

Second half was more comfortable apart from the header against the bar. In fairness, in your first season you're challenging for promotion and a trip to Wembley....not bad!

I feel like we're hitting form and confidence at the right time, our forward 2 are some of the best in the division but they just haven't been fit together that often.

Best of luck next week.

[terrier]

Not too surprised or disappointed about todays loss. PV fully deserved the win, the second goal will probably win PV’s goal of the season award.

I think this season is starting to take its toll on the squad. Injuries have piled up recently, which have been a major factor, but I think there’s signs of fatigue now. Understandable, but the squad and management can hold the heads high for what will be a magnificent season, no matter what happens in the league from here on in.

And then there’s Wembley of course. At least the Port Vale pitch will have given them a little taster for the big pitch.

[sallycat]

Mar 26, 2022 22:01:23 GMT leedsvaliant said:

We're pretty strong at home, so no shame in getting beat at Vale Park. Plus, we're in a really good vein of form.

Thought we started strongly and you came back into it in the last 20 minutes of the 1st half. You can see why you have caused teams issues....get the ball into the box and look to win second balls. You had a couple of snapshots from second balls that just didn't work out.

Second half was more comfortable apart from the header against the bar. In fairness, in your first season you're challenging for promotion and a trip to Wembley....not bad!

I feel like we're hitting form and confidence at the right time, our forward 2 are some of the best in the division but they just haven't been fit together that often.

Best of luck next week.

Thank you - and good luck to you in your playoff hunt - you wouldn't look at all out of place in League 1 from what I've seen

[jr]

Well that was a long day. Finally home at 2.50am after the worst train journey home I can remember. On the pitch we weren't at the races especially the first half with so many misplaced passes, Ben Wyatt (who has been exceptional whenever required) being guilty of several overhit balls. Probably not as bad as Walsall but close. The form of David is worrying and he must now be a doubt to be in the starting line up on Sunday. I would prefer Will and Enzio on current form if fit.

Easty really should have done better in the second half with his effort. We didn't work their keeper at all.

I thought Vale were ok but not as good as when we played them at our place. Great atmosphere by their fans but the stewards! I suspect they have a massive drug problem at the club (maybe the supporters survey was aimed at a club like Vale). It felt like there were more stewards than fans. Every time you'd go to the loo a steward would follow you in and wash their hands. It happened to me twice and another supporter twice. Very odd!