Thetownend.com

Right, it's 10.15 an no one has started this off today so here goes. I'm going for 2-1 to us with Norris and Mulls on the sheet for us. 648 travelling fans in a gate of 4592.

I'm going for 3-0 to the Town.

I'll go for a draw 1-1 we haven't had one lately.

Pre match struggle to spot anyone who doesn't look at least 20 years older than they actually are in The Reginald Mitchell.

So in the UK capital of darts, will the green machine have the x factor and be able to muster the power to hammer our opponents and knock them out for the count.
Three points is the jackpot so I'm going for a Hawaii 5-1 and a diamond performance as the Valiants collapse like a soggy lump of clay on a potters wheel.

We must be due a draw soon. I'll go for 1-1

Port Vale on a bit of a run 3 wins in a row, we aren't playing very well and out run of WLWLWLWLW means we are due  a loss.

2-1 defeat in front of 5,545 crowd with 598 Town fans there witnessing it, Dunne sent off.

I think we'll get 2.Christ knows what they'll get

The start of our unstoppable ascent of L2. Got me some 33/1 yesterday. In fact, the best bet is for us to win the South West group of Exeter, Num, Newport, Yeovil and FGR. 4/1.

I worry about Pope,  :pope: especially in the lead up to the quincentenary of the Reformation.

Brilliant! Have a good day out Bob.

It's no good pontificating about it reg

I not really one for the pun-fests, but that's really rather good :)

1-0 Town.

Every time I've gone out on the lash when a game is on, we've won.

I'm staying in tonight. Sorry.

Unacceptable behaviour.

Sent from my SM-G930F

Vigs not on bench then...

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DNOhIm7XkAUFRzr.png:large)

Hmm interesting game on paper. my last two viewings of this fixture was 6-0 and then the 5-0 (PdC title year when Ferry came out with his shorts down. Memorable). So in that trend do I say Vale 0-4 Town? Nope. Tight as a Nuns chuff and they could be Gunning for victory if Pope manages to sneak one in. Although GODdard could have the final say in that if allowed access by the Pugh.


I'll get my coat..... :pint: :pint:

Also any single lads travelling to Burslem today be careful. For Port Vale is a Love Trap  :bye:

Or Part Vole

Please purkis dont have a shit game today portvale seems to be a bogey ground cant see a a win and cant see us losing  so 1-1 smith for us. ::)

Not very creative by your standards that though Reg. I actually prefer the Luton Town anagram of Lout On Tow.

Is this the 3rd manager that's had issues with Vigouroux??

I'll defend purkiss a bit and saying bar Preston and Conroy he's been no more shit than the other defenders. I don't think he's stand out shit.

Tbf 4 match ban and that has just ended. Cook has done ok so even though their are issues no point truly unsettling the team if Vigs is being a bit of a brat kid.

Not clear if its an issue, or just a 'nobody deserves dropping, you have to earn it' situation .

Mind you, seen a claim he's not involved next week either.

Time will tell.

I expect this is why nobody's put a bid in for him and he's still here.

Not watching today. I take it absolute buggar all is happening?

just listening today. Not a great deal no...

We look like we might be able to do something on the odd occasion we keep it down.

Actually when we have "got it down" in most games we've had a bit more intent of doing something....it is what it is I guess.

First time I have been able to watch on iFollow (thanks FH and Batch).

Well on that showing Purkiss and Preston were the best players for the Town.

Dunne and Goddard are passengers, Taylor playing well and Lancashire doing ok.

Mcdermott showing a few glimpses but is largely bypassed, Anderson looks good when actually running with the ball but his final ball is poor.

Reece-Cook looks well in control...Vigs who?

Smith is not a target man despite his size, he struggles to pass, head, jump, poor over all.

The most frustatrating player is Linganzi, sometimes absolutely brilliant and sometimes absolutely terrible!

We don't so far look under any threat from them at all, a few too many weak challenges giving away free kicks but still could easily go either way, hopefully the wind behind us now will give us the boost to kick on.

Played ok first half hour, especially when we've got the ball to feet, but lost momentum a bit. Neither side looking much like scoring so far. Impressed with Preston and Dunne has broken play up quite a bit.

We were playing it around a bit nicely to begin with. Then a long punt reaches Anderson(?) on the left that created half an opportunity and we've been trying to do the same thing ever since. Unsuccessfully.

Goooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!!

Matty Taylor 0-1, free kick.

Whats a fucking goal from Taylor!

Delighted your trip to the states is going well.

That's why we bought him in.

That Matty Taylor is useless. His days as a pro are over... :pint: :pint:

Just saw the goal...peach.

Flipping O*ford scummer

He's always had it in him. Putting him back to LB (by injury) has settled him in. He is a cusp L1/L2 player if utilised right. I'm happy that he's proving those idiotic "fans" who booed him early on. So keen to impress here, even as an established pro. Good on him.

Vale coming back into it a bit since we scored but they havent looked like scoring.

Definately this. Towns idiotic fans booing a player because he was seen with an Oxford scarf before getting the correct info.....so pleased for him and that shows the Northampton fans that said his legs had gone that thats far from the truth. Well done Matty.

goddard<->Elsnik

Good, Goddard has looked lost today.

At the end of the day, I couldn't care about any player association to a club. They're here to do a job and currently Taylor is doing his job and contributing handsomely :)

Brilliant defending by Elsnik, almost set up Smith too. Excellent.

Unrelated but is Regan Charles-Cook (who has scored for Woking today) related to our keeper R C-C?

I concur, unfortunately some Town fans seem to disagree.

Good save from RCC from a long range effort from Myers-Harness who has been pretty much useless!

His brother.

McD<->Mullin

Mullin for Mcdermott.

Mullin


Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaal

2-0. Keeper cock up

2-0 Mullin....awful goal but I dont care!

Bloody hell, must've been Mullin's first touch pretty much. Thanks Pete for the RCC info.

Come on Town, keep the pressure on.

It was his first touch, he looked almost embarressed it went in, he almost fell onto the header, awful keeping by the debutant goalkeeper.

One of the most frustrating things about a lot of these hoofs forward is that they're unnecessary.

We need to get Woolery on for Smith and run at them with the ball, they look so weak when we run at them.

We have been playing well when the ball is on the deck.

We have.

Ahh harsh on the keeps for his debut but he'll learn (fast) from it. However, it gives us a buffer and I'll take that. Also a bit of momentum for us too. Wins breed wins no matter how they come. Don't want to jinx but a clean sheet would be rather nice too!

The keeper has looked shakey all game TBF but that was a schoolboy error for the goal.

Gordon on for Anderson.

3-0 Gordon with his first touch, what a set up from Smith.

Massive holes in the PV defence when we run at them.

Game done and Fleetwood just popped in a potential winner versus the Yellow ones :)

Excellent stuff.  Well done Town!

Great save from RCC right at the end.

3-0 a great result. Pretty much a perfect away performance and a clean sheet, can't fault them today, brilliant.

Preston was superb up against Pope today who didn't get a sniff.

I told ya and when did I tell ya, page one today!

(https://s1.postimg.org/1akyxybw73/Untitled.jpg)

Jolly good. For all the frustrating hoofs, there were also some decent passages of football. I think that might just be L2.

3-0 away to a team that had won their last 3. Such an inconsistent league. Luton lost as well.

3 points off the autos.

We’re gonna be right in the mix all season

The away wins at Notts C & Luton could be pivotal by the time they come to SN1, we’ve yet to face the milk chuggers as well.

Well done lads!!

Great result!!

 :pint:  :pint:  :pint:

We lost at Notts County, you pill!

We lost to Notts County?

blimey

Don't be negative!

Anyone else clueless as to who the Milk chuggers are?

I'm guessing he means Accrington (from the tv advert).

Probably Accrington Stanley

Good call.

Another great result...

Let's another look end of November and see what sort of challenge we can put in.

Seem to be building a touch of momentum now and the team is settling down and gelling. Even with injuries too. Derby will tell us to f off but I think a cheeky bid for either Gordon or Elsnik in Jan would be good practice. Also, do we cut our losses with Vigs and sell him in Jan to compete and bolster said recruitment? Would be a risk but I can only see RCC developing and getting better every game. We don't need 3 keepers. If a sensible bid comes in I would say sell LV.

No offence to Norris, but we look better with the direct stuff when we have Smith up top.  It also provides opportunities for Anderson to go beyond him looking for the flick on's which stretches defences a little.

McDermott has the legs of an eight year old.

Thought Elsnik looked good when he came on, adds something that nobody else in the team has.

Taylor proving that a bunch of average players are ok in the league if you have someone who can put in a good set piece from time to time.

Thought Port Vale went to pieces a bit in the 2nd half and we took advantage, playing well after we got in front.  Still awful quality of football, but we we better today.  Not changing my prediction of play offs, we'll still lose the odd game like that.

A good couple of hours football-watching!  A good workmanlike performance  by us with an increasing amount of possession compared with a few games ago, and an awesome comeback from England to win the U17 World Cup. 0-2 down to 5-2.

The England U17's were brilliant.
Shame they'll never get to play for their clubs.

That Foden from City reminds me of an early Rooney

Some of them will. Foden & Sessegnon have that extra something. Now watch the FA start creaming themselves and raising the expectations of this group (naturally). They have to realise that only about a third of them will make the top grade in 1st team top flight football. That's being very generous too.

I think it is easy to divert the issue of not fulfilling potential with the 'not getting to play for their clubs' line - if players are good enough they will get game time. A member of Germanys' U17 WC squad played for Hamburg today and scored, as an example

This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but I need to make sure people understand just how good Mullin's goal was. He out-muscled the defender and got in front of him. The ball was a bit behind and low, ask he had to stoop low to get a head on it. He then managed to get enough power and direction on the ball to get it passed the keeper.

It was a cracker, deserves credit.

Beginning to think there may be a possibility of playing Reading next season.

Despite our protestations about style, effectiveness and consistency, we're doing quite well. Maybe we've been overestimating what we should be expecting from L2?

Having said that, I did see enough today to think that there's more to come. So maybe I'm talking out of my arse?

We were much better today, competence was evident for a significant part of the game. They could be getting used to each other as players, and improving as a result.

Does anyone have a link to the highlights please?

http://www.skysports.com/football/port-vale-vs-swindon/374256

Not in top 6 PL sides they won't. You're comparing apples with oranges - Hamburg are nothing like Chelsea, Man City et al; and the Bundesliga actively works with the DFB to help the national side. Can you say the same about the PL? Fuck, can you.

Sounds like a bit of wild theory, that one :)

That was a classic away performance. We waited for our moments and pounced. 4 shots on target, and only 1 corner... but crash, bang, wallop. 3-0.

Once again Taylor put in a capable defensive shift, backed up by a goal and an assist. He must be directly involved in most of our goals scored. The recent suggestion on the forum that we don't have a left back at the club must relate to different games than the ones I've been watching. There's no doubt that Preston has increased the confidence and dominance of the whole defence.

Harry Smith worked his bollocks off with a totally unselfish performance, and, as the 3rd goal showed, he was still going strong at the end. Far more effective than Norris in my opinion.

I still don't agree with the way in which the 3 attacking midfielders are selected, but the substitutions were spot on and all 3 of them did the business immediately in one way or another.

Good stuff, and we are starting to really click into gear now.

Love Smith’s pass for the third. Most players would have shot.

Their keeper has had a stinker for our second and bit dubious on the first.

‘Best side I've seen at vale this year, organised and clinical without being spectacular.’

forgot to ask, only caught the summary of Flitcroft post match. Did he not want to talk about Vigs as in something's gone on? or simply just wanted to talk about the match?

Someone else said we were the worst team to visit Vale Park this season. I stopped taking them seriously at that point

said it before, our style of play will have some opposition fans saying ' how the hell did we lose to them'.

but we do string a few passes and put in a good delivery when we need to..

can't remember away form like this, but home form bring so patchy. Fortress away from county ground...

I read Vale fans saying we were the best they've seen!

Great result regardless. Need to build on it and push for the top 3 now

While Taylor’s free kick was a textbook execution, my son and I reckon the second goal by Mullin was the real gem. Keep watching it. He mugged the defender for that second goal and in effect sealed the three points. The goalie was left high and dry. I’m sure he expected the defender to clear the danger and as a result did not react accordingly. By the time it was heading to the net it was to late to do so. If the defender had been alert it would have been cleared and still 0-1.

That was good fun.

Classy cameo from Elsnik.

Getting back to the station was livened up by the bus stop being in the middle of the stand off between the EDL and the antifa group plus a few locals.
I suspect that a fair few on both sides might have gone on to enjoy a curry afterwards. Not together of course which is a shame.
City of Culture 2021. A fair bit of work needed there.

Vale fans on the bus were saying that they had an off day and we were good, but not that great. Probably won't be the last time that opposition fans say that about us.

Spot on.  It was beautiful, and all the more so when you were right behind it and got to watch the ball hit the net at close quarters.  Very clever.

Took the family there after a few days camping in Shropshire...so a lovely way to round off.  PV kindly invited my boys and a few other kids from our end to join some of the local kids on the pitch waving flags as the players came on at the start.  Nice touch.  Boys were buzzing after that.

And great to catch up, donkey.  I'll be in touch about a home game/Glue Pot catch up.

Think that's a bit generous re. Mullin. It's bad goalkeeping. Their keeper had a bit of a mare for goals 2 and 3!

Great to see you too, pal. Gluey it is.🍺🙂

This. 100% goalkeeping error on both counts, although Gordon may have tucked the third away even if he'd had a keeper to beat.

I said after Mullin's goal that it might not be fully appreciated, especially as the best angle was from the away end. It really does deserve the praise it's getting.  That not withstanding the keeper was a bit poor, too.

Agree that the goalie starting to come then stopping put off the defender but Mullin still did well.

Not sure how you blame the keeper for third goal?

Mullin has a great work ethic. Works his socks off every time. Surprised Flitcroft doesn't always start with him,,and really think Smith has more to offer as a target man than Norris.
Great result whatever and with England U17's and Swindon Robins Jason Doyle becoming World Speedway Champion, pretty good Saturday all round.

On their forum here are a few quotes, some good some not so.

I think it is still awful to lose 3-0 to a team at home who we finished above in league 1 last season :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:
was  any of our team from last season playing :hmmm:

They are also not very complimentary about RCC saying he couldn’t kick or catch but they couldn’t exploit it. Gotta be honest I’m probably one of the few but I’m not convinced by him, he’s not had a great deal to do in his 5 games but the Mansfield goal was his fault and should have done better for Lincoln’s as was straight at him. With Vigs not in the squad it would suggest he’s burnt his bridges now so will be RCC for the foreseeable future so we shall see.

oddly I thought RCC's kicking is a bit better than Vigs.

only seen him play 2 games though, so can't comment on yesterday or other points.

I thought he did OK. Great save at the end.

A few people have said that but I think a lot of people look at Vigs’ kicking last season where he was asked to do certain things because of the way we played and had no margin for ever. RCC looks a more than adequate backup but personally not convinced on him as first choice. Let’s not forget a lot of people rated Belford and he was one of the worst keepers to ever play for us.

Back four is looking solid now.  Hopefully we can get Preston to sign a long-term contract.  He looks the real deal to me.

time will tell theakston...

Yesterday was the first time I have seen RCC play, he looks perfectly adequate at this level, made on fantastic save at the end.

He doesn't come out and claim the ball often but then again neither does Vigs.

RCC kicking as similar to Vigs, neither brilliant but RCC is a little better at kicking under pressure IMO.

I didn't feel we missed Vigs at all.

Does not look like DF missed him either. Could be a long way back for Vigs at this rate.

I’m not prepared to write Vigs off so quickly especially with two Checkatrades and an FA Cup match coming up.

Obviously we don't know exactly what's gone on, but I'm disappointed that Flitcroft has spent the last month periodically slagging off Vigs. Cook has done pretty well, and I can understand why he kept his place for yesterday, but I would at the very least have had Vigs on the bench, play him in both of the JPT games and take stock of things after them.

He has never sold us short, could easily have kicked up a fuss and cleared off in the summer, but he has knuckled down and is willingly playing below his level. Sure, he made a mistake (which appears to have been caused by giving a shit - a basic requirement for all players, but we should certainly know that it doesn't always apply), and got a fairly meaty suspension on the back of it. Surely that's enough of a punishment? They took him to Mansfield, in the full knowledge that he couldn't play, but left him at home yesterday. All seems a bit petty to me.

I don't think anyone is actually writing off Vigs but IMO RCC is an adequate replacement, he doesn't excel but does most things perfectly well.

Something has obviously been said between Vigs and Flitcroft and hopefully DF has shown Vigs that if hes going to throw a strop (or whatever has happened) then we as a club won't stand for that.

*strop may not have actually happened*

no no, definitely not writing off Vigs. A proven very good keeper over a long period of time.

Alll things being equal he's #1 IMO.

But... well we'll have to see what the next few weeks bring as to what's what regarding he and DF. If he's sulked over not going straight back in its disappointing. But that's a massive assumption.

FWIW, I wouldn’t write Vigs off either. However, it’s worth remembering that he has previous for ill discipline. He’s cost the club his services unnecessarily for four games. He’s been fined by the club i’m sure, maybe even had to pay all or part of the club fine from FA. It’s a piss poor example to set to the younger players, brings the club into disrepute. At some point someone clearly has to make a stand. No one player is above the standards that clearly DF has set. Therefore with Reice playing well enough and Henry’s development progressing as it should Vigs has plenty of time on his hands to reflect on his own position. Given the opportunity and be sure it will come along soon enough he’ll hopefully grab it with both hands and claim the gloves back. Whether DF is right or wrong to publicly criticise him as suggested is up to him, if Vigs thinks that’s unfair he has a mobile phone to call his agent and with GPS find his way to DF’s office to say something personally. Bottom line is if Vigs hadn’t been such a fool he’d still have the gloves. It’s his choice and his own fault.

If I was Vigouroux, I'd struggle to take lectures on not showing aggression to officials from Flitcroft, Futcher or most managers.

My assumption has been that something else has gone on for him not to have been on the bench on Saturday. Whether it's a strop, further ill-discipline or something entirely different. I'd be tempted to play him in the Checkatrade games (assuming it doesn't mean breaking rules about who can play) and let him earn his spot back.

Seen a few people say this now. The length of the ban tells you it was more than a 'what the fuck was that ref' comment surely?

If he doesnt play in the checkatrade i think that tells us all we need to know

Sticking with RCC was Flitcroft saying to players/fans/media, "players have to earn the right to stay in/get back in  the side" and is 100% correct.

Not even having him on the bench is his message to Vigouroux that he, Flitcroft is the boss and he alone will decide when he gets back in the squad/team, no one is bigger than the team, let this be a lesson etc.

My guess is, if he reacts positively he will be on the bench for the next game. If however, he throws/has thrown his toys out of the pram he won't be on the bench and will be on his way in January.

Definately mate, spot on.

A completely accurate summary OST.

Vigs kind of sums up the difference between the last couple of seasons and this.... the old model was about individuals, sign players to showcase them and hopefully sell on so that Po STFC make a few bob. Looking to win games, rather than look good a secondary concern. Developing a team ethos something which might happen by accident rather than design.

Others have mentioned it before, but we've now players, who maybe aren't terribly good, but are giving it their best shot and seem committed to the collective.

Who, higher up the food chain, will want to buy a keeper who can’t hold down a first team spot with a L2 club.

If that doesn’t give Vigs food for thought nothing will. Does us no favours either, cos he is a financial asset.

Get it sorted.

Indeed, there wasn't a queue of suitors lining up to take him in the Summer when we (pretty much) all thought there would be.

This is a major point in his career, he can push on and claim his place back and go on to better things eventually or he can mope and get cast aside as so many other talented players have in the past plumbing to the depths of non league football when they have the world at their feet.

FWIW DF may have just considered him unfit (mentally or physically), until he comes out with a statement we are all left just guessing and putting 2+2 together and getting wildly differing numbers.

Vigouroux not on the bench v Vale.

DF saying he wasn't required, but surely a better keeper than Henry?

Is he on his way out?

The game tomorrow v Wycombe will be very telling IMO 

Not sure really, reckon we need at least another three threads to discuss the issue

Check out the cheeky man-boob feel by the steward after Mullin's mega-header.