I'm not sure I would say they were poor, I thought if they'd have had an actual striker up front things could have been very different, they were pinging it about quite nicely in attack but then no-one there to actually convert their chances.
Yes, that's fair, and Stryjek barely had a save to make, but like I say, I don't think they were a poor side, just one lacking a striker - which they literally are, all theirs are injured, and they signed Taylor who's injured.
One of those games when the right things happened at the right time and things fell into place. The subs on 63 were perfect. Freeman on a booking was playing on eggshells and Thompson hit the ground running. GMac should have scored when through the first time but shouldn’t have scored the second time. Funny how these things work out.
Campbell must have looked at the pitch and thought Christ alive! If ever a young player needed motivation to better themselves.
Funny how quickly things can change though. Before the scheduled Rovers game 2 weeks ago and the Oxford game a few days later I’d have said both were play-off rivals (1 point & 3 points behind us respectively). Looking at the table today they seem less so…
We're well off the classic "run in" period, but it feels like the "pre" run in period over this next 4-6 games is even more important doesn't it. Derby, Bolton and Shrewsbury in there.
Grimmer especially has been playing really well, but we really need one of those specialist boys back asap.
Tafa looked like it will surely be a decent sized lay off, Mawson has been out 40 days I think RTS said, and Forino again we have no real idea on, but we have to assume he's a week to week check.
Such a big result that. If ever there was a result that embodies Gareth Ainsworth and his management, this was it. To win 3-0 without a centre-back on the pitch for over an hour speaks volumes.
Have to try and look at the injuries, hard as they are, as potential bonuses for later in the season, we might not play the same three much at all but need to keep plugging away and leave us a target for the run in. The midfield seems to have cleared up nicely, can only hope defence does too.
Just watched the GA interview. Ducking the Tafazoli injury as any manager would but I can’t think it’s a good one. The only hope is that it was a pre-emptive pull up from Tafazoli and a pull as opposed to a tear. The latter could see him struggle to make the rest of the season. We could do with Forino or Mawson recovering soon.
Someone said Ryan Tafazolli thumped the turf with his fist when he went down feeling his hamstring. It is open to interpretation of course but doesn’t sound particularly positive.
Yup. Here's the Darrell Clarke interview, he mentions it at the end. Not much mention of us in his interview, he's more disgusted with his own side's performance.
One thing I noticed in the away end today was quite a lot of younger fans, what a game to be at and one I'm sure they'll remember for a while. Was it due to be being free entry to u12s? I took my daughter who's 7 and would of anyway even if I had to pay but it definitely helps.
Seriously it’s games like today that will hook her to it for the rest of your life
(And when your in the cheapest nursing home available in your senility just remember - on your more lucid moments - that it’s because she’ll have spent a stupidly disproportionate amount of her income following the Wanderers)
Comments
Admittedly Port Vale were a toothless attacking force but JJ, Grimmer & McCarthy looked comfortable as a partnership.
Excellent team performance though, could have ended quite different with the injury to Taffazoli.
Next few weeks will be stronger test for the defence I think
To come through so well without a specialist centre half shouldn't be overlooked.
Really need 1 of the 3 to be available sharpish though
Port Vale looked a pretty poor old side and didn’t really trouble us at all. The pitch was atrocious also.
Well done to the lads and we managed the game brilliantly throughout.
I hope we can get one of our CBs back for the Derby game though.
I'm not sure I would say they were poor, I thought if they'd have had an actual striker up front things could have been very different, they were pinging it about quite nicely in attack but then no-one there to actually convert their chances.
I really didn’t think that we were troubled by them at all.
Anyway, great 3 points.
Yes, that's fair, and Stryjek barely had a save to make, but like I say, I don't think they were a poor side, just one lacking a striker - which they literally are, all theirs are injured, and they signed Taylor who's injured.
One of those games when the right things happened at the right time and things fell into place. The subs on 63 were perfect. Freeman on a booking was playing on eggshells and Thompson hit the ground running. GMac should have scored when through the first time but shouldn’t have scored the second time. Funny how these things work out.
Campbell must have looked at the pitch and thought Christ alive! If ever a young player needed motivation to better themselves.
Resting GMac really worked well - he looked fresh and dangerous when coming on. What a finish too!
Good times .
Funny how quickly things can change though. Before the scheduled Rovers game 2 weeks ago and the Oxford game a few days later I’d have said both were play-off rivals (1 point & 3 points behind us respectively). Looking at the table today they seem less so…
I reckon so, just need Mawson or Taf back injury free.
We're well off the classic "run in" period, but it feels like the "pre" run in period over this next 4-6 games is even more important doesn't it. Derby, Bolton and Shrewsbury in there.
Grimmer especially has been playing really well, but we really need one of those specialist boys back asap.
Tafa looked like it will surely be a decent sized lay off, Mawson has been out 40 days I think RTS said, and Forino again we have no real idea on, but we have to assume he's a week to week check.
One for @ReturnToSenda probably - what’s our record in the red change kit? I don’t think we’ve won many wearing it?
Quite some going to beat Barnsley, Peterborough and Port Vale 3-0 away from home!
Such a big result that. If ever there was a result that embodies Gareth Ainsworth and his management, this was it. To win 3-0 without a centre-back on the pitch for over an hour speaks volumes.
Next weekend is season defining.
Must win?
In his Port Vale pre-match drills interview Gareth Ainsworth says that Alfie Mawson “is still a little bit away.” (04:59)
Have to try and look at the injuries, hard as they are, as potential bonuses for later in the season, we might not play the same three much at all but need to keep plugging away and leave us a target for the run in. The midfield seems to have cleared up nicely, can only hope defence does too.
Haha! I know a hospital ball when I see one.
Just watched the GA interview. Ducking the Tafazoli injury as any manager would but I can’t think it’s a good one. The only hope is that it was a pre-emptive pull up from Tafazoli and a pull as opposed to a tear. The latter could see him struggle to make the rest of the season. We could do with Forino or Mawson recovering soon.
Luckily so did Max earlier
A quip I was tempted with but restrained myself. Is there a direct correlation between with the marvellous mehmeti moving and picking points at port?
I’m sure in the footage of Chem being introduced to the players, Forino was on some gym equipment so hopefully he isn’t far away
Someone said Ryan Tafazolli thumped the turf with his fist when he went down feeling his hamstring. It is open to interpretation of course but doesn’t sound particularly positive.
Strange that they brought in Matty Taylor from Oxford as a striker this week but then didn't bother to play him.
Injured
Yup. Here's the Darrell Clarke interview, he mentions it at the end. Not much mention of us in his interview, he's more disgusted with his own side's performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWIpNe9rA08
Great result and a good day all round.
One thing I noticed in the away end today was quite a lot of younger fans, what a game to be at and one I'm sure they'll remember for a while. Was it due to be being free entry to u12s? I took my daughter who's 7 and would of anyway even if I had to pay but it definitely helps.
What was her prediction though @ryan_w_kirkby2?
Seriously it’s games like today that will hook her to it for the rest of your life
(And when your in the cheapest nursing home available in your senility just remember - on your more lucid moments - that it’s because she’ll have spent a stupidly disproportionate amount of her income following the Wanderers)
(At least that’s what we told my father…)