‘THE VALE BOYS ARE DIGGING IN AND PLAYING FOR THE BADGE...’
PORT Vale fans have their say after the Vale dropped a place to fourth with Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Mansfield.
Vale, who are at home to Colchester on Saturday, took the lead through Tom Conlon’s 33rdminute equaliser but the hosts claimed a deserved equaliser through George Lapslie on 66.
Richard Jones: “I think we were lucky to get away with a draw, given the penalty and the good save. Although they had all the possession, and we couldn’t get a foothold in the game at all, I think they never looked like scoring.
“We switched off for the equaliser but really didn’t do enough to win it. A point on the road is okay and keeps the run going.
“We need to sign the lad Lapslie, he seems to score against us for whoever he plays for!”
Scott Lingard: “Hardearned point at a well set-up team clearly in a false league position. Another stunning free-kick from the captain, and a good penalty save to give Covalan (right) some redemption from his blunder on Saturday. It’s probably good to note we are disappointed to get a point away from home against a team we shipped seven goals against last season without reply, clearly this is a well earned point.”
Phil Myatt: “I didn’t understand the team selection. Mansfield were the better side throughout, I’d say only when Gibbo replaced the ex-mansfield player Benning did we start playing with any real hunger, it was extremely poor. “Conlon scored a beauty and still we were being out manoeuvred by them. “Their penalty was never a pen but Lucas Covolan saved it superbly and his work was generally good. “I thought their equalising goal was deserved, they were the better side. “You can get by with say three of your 11 playing poorly but I’d say it was more like 10 of the 11. “This was an easily forgettable night’s work from Vale.”
Alex Stevenson: “Not at our best! Three changes to a team that’s been winning and playing well. Acknowledging Proctor’s injury and one needed change, but did Gibbo deserve to be dropped? “A point away is, I suppose, a good return. But against a side third from bottom on a poor run and full of injuries, I think it’s an opportunity missed. But to not lose when not playing at your best, is a good sign of the character in the squad.”
Elliot James: “Poor from the off, I thought we couldn’t keep hold of the ball and they were the better side. But it was a great strike from Conlon. The second half was pretty much the same, second to every ball. “Their number eight ran the game in midfield and we got overran throughout the 90 minutes. We were very lucky to come away with a point.”
Dave Mannion:
“Second best all game, stray passes, slow to close down, didn’t get hold of the ball at all...but didn’t lose, and if we can’t win just so long as we don’t lose. A Mansfield side in a false position, we just offered nothing of note, a great free kick and a great penalty save.
“One to draw a line under, another game unbeaten and back at home on Saturday!”
Simon Palmer: “Well you can’t win ‘em all! A point away from home, despite being under par, is nothing to be sniffed at. It was nice to see the much-maligned Covolan quite rightly getting the plaudits, and we’ve always got a chance with Conlon with free kicks around the edge of the box and beyond.
“What brilliant technique, they’d be purring if it was in the Premier League.
“I’m pretty sure we would have lost a game like this 12 months ago, the boys are digging in and playing for the badge.”
Thomas Shipley:
“A point away from home is always a good result. Our performance was woeful though.
“Covolan man of the match by a country mile. It will be a decent point if we follow it up with a win on Saturday.”
Adam Rutter: “Mansfield came out with a plan and absolutely nailed it, we couldn’t get out from midfield with their high press. That, along with some sloppy passing and we were in for a long night.
“We were lucky to get a point but it shows how far we’ve come when we are still getting points with poor performances.”
It shows how far we’ve come when we get points with poor performances