The Opposition View - Port Vale

In the wake of yesterday's 1-1 draw at home to Port Vale, here are some views on the game from the Valiants' manager Jim Gannon and a few of their fans.

Gannon was pleased with his side's overall performance.

"When you've got an opportunity from a penalty to take the win, then you are disappointed. The lads dug-in second-half and put themselves in a position where they could win the game, so that's a positive," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We said to our lads at the end of the game, on the optimistic side of it - We've lost six in a row, they've won five in a row here, so to come here and get a draw and perhaps be in a position to take all three points is great credit to them. They've come to a very difficult place to get a result, and they've got a result."

"Tactically we were good today, second half the lads put in a huge effort and I'm disappointed for them that they didn't get the result, but I'm sure their manager will be disappointed they didn't use their possession to get more opportunities to score."


The Vale fans were naturally disappointed that Nikki Bull's save denied them all three points but on the whole they seemed pleased with a draw.

The following extracts are taken from onevalefan.co.uk.


Andy Proctor wrote:
'Good point against a Wycombe team that are difficult to beat.'


Topher wrote:
'We played well in fits and starts. First 10 minutes we were passing it really well and could have scored but so could they. Both Taylors were good and Pope was unlucky with the penalty and also had a great shot from distance well saved.'


tisdeano wrote:
'Another much improved performance. Pope's penalty could have easily gone in on another day. Wycombe fans I spoke to in their bar afterwards were very impressed by us, particularly Taylor & Loft.'


George is here wrote:
'Today, in football terms, was one of the best performances I have seen a Vale side give. Right from the start we matched Wycombe in all aspects of the game including passing, skill and creating chances. The players were fully committed and seemed to enjoy playing football again. The whole team put in a full shift playing decent football and that is all you can ask of any player at League 2 level.'


The Derby Valiant wrote:
'Really good performance, disappointed we didn't get 3 points, they knocked the ball around well but we had the best chances.'


MegaValeFan wrote:
'I didn't think we deserved a point on open-play chances. We can't rely on own-goals and penalties for the remainder of season! We need to start scoring, but with one up front I don't feel we'll get the goals we need to have a chance of winning more. Glad we didn't lose, but we're toothless up front and need to start attacking with more venom, not prancing around like fairies.'


Bungle wrote:
'What a cracking strike from Pope five minutes before the penalty. It drew a cracking save from Bull.'


saintvaliant wrote:
"Before the game I would have been delighted with a point but can't help but feel it's two points dropped tonight. Outside of Pope's missed pen, Bull has made three terrific stops. Wycombe knocked it around nicely but apart from an early scramble, Chris Martin had very little to do all day apart from pick the ball out of his net. Lots of passing amongst their back-four but only a sporadic threat with it. They will be up there without a doubt and will more than likely go up in the top-two, so to go there and at least deserve a point and maybe all three is good progress."


Next Game: Bradford v Wycombe - Sat 12th February - 3.00pm

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