‘We need to be realistic and give Clarke the time he needs to move us in right direction’
PORT Vale are away to Crawley this weekend looking for three successive wins for the first time since October.
Over to our fans’ panel of IAN WOODWARD, from Congleton, CHRIS BENTLEY, from Norton Heights, and ANDREW BLAKEMORE from Denford.
WHAT’S YOUR TEAM?
Ian Woodward: Assuming everyone is fit, I’d go with the same starting eleven who won at Colchester last weekend.
It’s probably a bit early to consider Tom Pope, so I’d stick with the much-maligned Theo Robinson who certainly played his part in the past two games.
He just needs a goal now to silence the keyboard warriors.
Therefore my team is: Brown, Smith, Legge, Brisley, Montano, Oyeleke, Joyce, Conlon, Worrall, Robinson, Rodney. Andrew Blakemore: Given the level of fitness that Darrell Clarke has referenced before with the squad I can see him making changes.
However, I would keep the majority of the team that picked up that good win at Colchester.
Chris Bentley: Brown, Brisley, Smith, Legge, Montano; Oyeleke, Joyce, Conlon; Worrall, Rodney, Robinson.
WHAT’S YOUR PREDICTION? Ian Woodward:
Our record at Crawley is pretty impressive and reads W4 D1 L1, the only defeat coming on our first visit there in 2012.
They’ve done pretty well this season and will no doubt be thinking they’re still in with a chance of a play-off spot so despite our recent upturn I’m expecting a hard game.
I’d certainly settle for a point to continue our momentum but think there’ll be a few goals, so will say 2-2. Andrew Blakemore: Crawley have one of the better home records in the division.
All we need to do is ensure we don’t lose, and I think we can continue this run of form, with a draw this time, I’ll go 1-1. Chris Bentley: Crawley is a happy hunting ground for us but I’d be happy with a point here after our last two wins. I’ll go 1-1 with Worrall to score.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS? Ian Woodward:
Those wins over Newport and Colchester have certainly lightened the mood as well as easing our relegation
fears and just a handful more points from these last nine games should be enough to ensure safety.
Like many of us though, I’m sure manager Darrell Clarke will want to rake up as many points as possible as he looks towards next season with the building blocks already being put in place following more additions to the backroom staff this past week.
Getting everything right behind the scenes, operating professionally and planning for the future is of course to be welcomed.
But there’ll be an expectancy from some supporters that whichever players arrive in the summer this will all automatically translate into a dramatic upturn in our fortunes, meaning we should be among next season’s challengers.
It would be great if that happened, but I think fans will need to temper their expectations, try to be realistic and give Darrell Clarke the time he needs to move us forward.
There’s no doubt the pressure on football managers these days appears more intense than ever with the manager now expected to soak up all the negative attention and act as a shield for the shortcomings of others.
In this current hire-and-fire culture I was still staggered to see that 16 new managers have been appointed across all the PL and EFL clubs since Darrell Clarke arrived at Vale Park a mere 38 days ago.
Only three of the current League Two managers have been at their club longer than three years with Salford now on their third manager this season.
The continually revolving door may work for some clubs but after what we’ve endured these past few years, it’s stability we now need.
Andrew Blakemore: What a difference a week makes. Two massive victories, which was such a confidence boost and a huge sigh of relief.
I felt after the mentally draining Newport home game, the Colchester game would be similar, given that it was a relegation six-pointer.
Thankfully it didn’t. I don’t think I could have sat through another 90 minutes like that Newport match.
It was a very good away day performance, which we deserved to win, the difference in the players at the end of the game was smiles across the team, which is something we’ve not seen for a long time and I don’t think Darrell Clarke could really contain his delight either.
Survival was always in our hands, but
now it really is even more. The simple thing is, just to mirror Southend and Grimsby’s results and we are over the line.
I would say 45 points will be sufficient enough to survive. With the goal difference we have on the bottom two teams, it’s another point, and when they have only won seven all season, can they really win three or four matches in the final 10, or rather pick up those points and any additional on top of what Vale pick up, it’s doubtful.
Let’s get the points on the board then focus on the summer rebuild.
Chris Bentley: I was interested to see that we’ve appointed head of coaching Nathan Rooney this week and director of football David Flitcroft has mentioned potential plans for a new training facility. Have we struck gold under the Vale Park pitch or something?
It’s very refreshing to hear, but it all comes at a cost which hopefully won’t affect the playing budget.
Having said that, there’s no doubt that
there’s a lot of good things happening behind the scenes as we try and put proper structures in place.
First things first, we need to cross the safety line and I think another win and a draw from the last nine games will do it.
I can’t wait for the season to end now, I’ve hated it if I’m being honest.
It just hasn’t been the same not going to the games, but hopefully we can look forward to returning to Vale Park in August and we can all put this farce of a season with no fans behind us.