The first 45 minutes of this game saw Vale give the most woeful, inept and shambolic performance that I’ve witnessed in my 32 years as a Vale Fan. It truly beggared belief. We looked jaw-droppingly out of our depth against a Notts County side that had only recorded its first win of the season the previous weekend. At the moment we are not good enough to stay in this league.
It took Notts County precisely 5 minutes and 15 seconds to take a deserved lead, a cross came in from the right Sam Stockley was outjumped at the far post and Jamie Forrester had the simple task of directing a free header into the net from five yards.
County tore us apart in the first half, and should have buried us. It was only a combination of some poor finishing (they fluffed two unbelievable sitters) and some smart stops from Joe Anyon that held back the avalanche. We were wretched. County created chances at will, and as a team we were completely powerless to stop them.
We made them look like footballing Gods as they moved the ball around with ease. At one point midway through the first half Vale Fans started giving it ‘ole!’ as County put together a move involving 12 or 13 passes without a Vale player getting anywhere near it. Fortress Vale Park? The Burslem Comedy Club would be a far more apt name for that place.
The half-time whistle was met with much relief and lots of derision.
Half Time: Port Vale 0-1 Notts County
Vale began the second half with Paul Edwards coming on to replace John McCombe, who presumably had picked up a knock during the first half. Edwards went to left-back, with Luke Prosser moving across to centre-half.
And amazingly we were transformed! Well, for the first fifteen minutes of the second half anyway. Edwards made a massive difference, attacking down the left and linking well with Shane Tudor. Who have thought this last season? Edwards was virtually laughed out of Burslem after proclaiming to be the best player in the Vale squad, but on the basis of his 45 minutes yesterday he is definitely the best player we have. Which is an alarming fact.
So anyway, we score an equaliser – and deservedly so. Again it was down the left where we caused County problems, the ball was fed to Marc Richards who crossed to the far post for Luke Prosser to score. This was to be Richards one and only contribution to the game, and how he won the MOTM award was beyond just about everyone in the ground.
It wasn’t to last though. County picked themselves up, moved it up a gear and regained control of the match. Midway through the second half they got their second goal, it looked a bit soft from where I was sitting in The Bycars, but that may be unkind to Anyon and the defence.
Our fate was sealed shortly after when the impressive Shane Tudor was hauled off and replaced by the unimpressive David Howland. Our attacking impetous was immediately lost, and County were able to easily negotiate the rest of the game.
Next week we travel to high flying Shrewsbury Town. It could be a wholly humiliating experience.
For images from the game click here
Player Ratings
Joe Anyon 6
Made some good saves as County threatened to give us a prison pounding, and yet was still the target of abuse from Vale Fans. He did flap at one cross, but really there was nothing else he could do with it.
Sam Stockley 6
Like Anyon Sam was by no means the worst player on the pitch, but was once again the victim of loads of abuse from the terraces. Richards, Rodgers, Griffith, Dodds, Davidson, McCombe and Prosser all contributed less.
Luke Prosser 4
Had an absolute shocker at left back in the first half, but was mercifully moved to his natural centre half position in the second. Scored the equaliser, but it was still a bad day at the office.
John McCombe 4
Replaced at half time (due to injury?) after a very shaky first half. Worst I’ve seen him play – McCome so far has been a steady and composed player – but not yesterday.
Lee Collins 6
Our best defender yesterday, but thats not saying an awful lot really.
Louis Dodds 4
Disappointing game again. Louis has obviously got some talent, but he struggles to impose himself on games.
Anthony Griffith 4
No lack of effort, he puts himself about and makes a nuisance of himself, but he is poor with the ball at his feet.
Ross Davidson 4
Exactly the same as Griff.
Shane Tudor 7
Posed a threat when he was fed the ball, unfortunately we didn’t give him the ball all that often! Linked well with Edwards in the second half until he was bafflingly substituted for Howland.
Marc Richards 4
The sponsors Man Of The Match for reasons best known to themselves. Supplied the cross for the goal, ut apart from that gave us absolutley nothing.
Luke Rodgers 4
Just doesn’t look like scoring at the moment, and really he should be filling his boots in this league.
Paul Edwards 7
Our best player.
David Howland 3
What was the point?
we were a joke in the first half it was horrendous. Edwards played well when he came on and has to start next week. Rodgers needs to be dropped and God knows how we sort out centre midfield.
Stockley is not fit to wear the shirt. If Anyon wants to leave in January then I’ll happily give him a lift out of Burslem. The fact that Edwards and Tudor are far better than the players Sinnott has signed tells us how far we have declined in the last twelve months. We are rubbish.