Squad vs Port Vale

[vanillaturtle]

I love our squad right now, Carlos the playmaker, Diagouraga the stout defensive presence in the midfield that always makes the right decisions, Cooney and Phillips both superb while Old and Lavelle seem to have a newfound energy. Slew was a bit underwhelming but given time to adjust I'm sure he'll improve. He's quick but the ball skills aren't there. O' Sullivan plays great with these new guys. Kenyon played well but I think if we threw Wildig up there instead we would see tremendous results.

Our strikers never seem to sniff the goal though and it's always someone scoring from a long shot or header. I think Shaun Miller would do well up there instead of Stockton.

If we played

Miller
Carlos O' Sullivan
Wildig Diagouraga Phillips
Conlan Old Lavelle Cooney

we will be on our way to a couple of wins in a row.

[Vinny]

We sure look like a team better than where we are in the league, and this will improve. I like Stockton up front as he wins so many balls, is strong in possession and causes defences problems, especially against PV's defenders. Wildig if fully fit and playing positively, rather than sideways/back passing, otherwise Brewitt. I'd also put Leitch-Smith way ahead of Miller, again, especially against his old team.

[sandgrown]

yes Stockton had another strong performance holding up the ball and laying off

[Slanester]

Opinions as always, but Miller has shown so little, so far this season, definitely not earned a start over CS, or Aj.

[mrpotatohead]

I'd go 442 with AJ playing off Stockton, dont know what's happened with Kev but we could have done with him today in my opinion, Slew doesn't look prolific on his stats pre us and today didn't fill me with hope.

[HALMA 1983]

I'd go 442 with AJ playing off Stockton, dont know what's happened with Kev but we could have done with him today in my opinion, Slew doesn't look prolific on his stats pre us and today didn't fill me with hope.

Tried and tested
Keep Pope quiet and it could be a massive 3 points and a top evening.

[Andy D]

Defence and Midfield look sorted now, it’s just scoring goals is the problem?

And who plays upfront in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 For me AJ Smith he always looks like scoring when he comes off the bench, ideally switching sides with Mendes gives us more creativity


Mendes - Stockton - Smith ?

[BerlinWaller]

In recent years we have made Tom Pope look like Marco Van Basten. If we keep him quiet we will win the game.

I would go with the same starting line up, let the new lads blend in a bit and use the subs well like DA did yesterday. Let Cole battle and bully the defence for 60mins then bring on AJ to stretch them in the last 30.

[Shrimp Girl]

I do feel we are giving Pope a bit too much respect here (from this week's programme, page 46)