[PRMan]

PROUD at Victoria, on May 29 2008, 13:11, said:

The Vale have reached the final of the King cup and its a great achievement. Bringing in local lads has been a big bonus and shows what can be done. League form has been poor on the whole though. Up and down from week to week. The ex-manager of vale was right in bringing in some local players and moral has increased as the sdeason has gone on and in one off games Like cup games has seen what the team can do. The new management and board need to get this level of drive and effort every week if they are to get promoted next season. It was going to take time to nit these new lads together and the new management without really doing anything has seen the team improve.

The one thing which is holding the the team back is the amount of players used over the season (over 30). This shows lack of committment from individual players and thus the team has had a mid table finish league wise. If you sign up , you sign up for the season , no to go on holiday etc. yes things come up injury etc but fundamentally its down to lack of desire and the team suffers.You got to remember some of these lads have had sign on fees and are no playing for free.

Hopefully with a few new local signings and a talk about playing week in week out the club can get in about the top 2 spots

.
I have to disagree with you on a couple of points. Robbie and Lenny have done a great job since they took over they inherited a team that was really low in confidence and lackin direction and have turned in to a team that plays some great football something they didnt do under stuart. and with a cup final to come something that was just wasnt feasable at the start of the season. and the feel good factor seems to be back. Granted the squad needs strengthening and am sure the vale will do this!.

I agree with your point about lack of consistency and this must be improved if the vale have any ambitions about getting out of div 1. I dont think the back log of fixtures helped considerin the size of squad. But as a supporter am happy with the direction the vale seem to be headin.

this is a really young side and if rob and len can keep them together hopes wil be high at innerleithen next season.

all the best to the Vale in the King Cup final.

[TonyStonem]

PRMan, on May 29 2008, 13:44, said:

.
I have to disagree with you on a couple of points. Robbie and Lenny have done a great job since they took over they inherited a team that was really low in confidence and lackin direction and have turned in to a team that plays some great football something they didnt do under stuart. and with a cup final to come something that was just wasnt feasable at the start of the season. and the feel good factor seems to be back. Granted the squad needs strengthening and am sure the vale will do this!.

I agree with your point about lack of consistency and this must be improved if the vale have any ambitions about getting out of div 1. I dont think the back log of fixtures helped considerin the size of squad. But as a supporter am happy with the direction the vale seem to be headin.

this is a really young side and if rob and len can keep them together hopes wil be high at innerleithen next season.

all the best to the Vale in the King Cup final.

Watched the Vale at the start of the season, then seen them the other night against Edin Ath. There were a lot of obvious changes. Although it was a bit of a boring game the style of football played by the Vale was great to watch. Everything went through the middle of the park with Notman and Hardie (when he came on) keeping possession very comfortably. The boy Robertson at the back is a major player for them as well. Very good on the ball, great passing range and a very tidy tackler.

If they can keep the majority of this squad together they will surley be promotion candidates for next season. If they manage to increase the size of their squad it should help with consistency. The only thing is will they be able to hold onto this seasons better players. Surely Notty will be moving on, but will they keep the likes of Sommerville and Robertson?

[monthedale]

TonyStonem, on May 29 2008, 15:42, said:

Watched the Vale at the start of the season, then seen them the other night against Edin Ath. There were a lot of obvious changes. Although it was a bit of a boring game the style of football played by the Vale was great to watch. Everything went through the middle of the park with Notman and Hardie (when he came on) keeping possession very comfortably. The boy Robertson at the back is a major player for them as well. Very good on the ball, great passing range and a very tidy tackler.

If they can keep the majority of this squad together they will surley be promotion candidates for next season. If they manage to increase the size of their squad it should help with consistency. The only thing is will they be able to hold onto this seasons better players. Surely Notty will be moving on, but will they keep the likes of Sommerville and Robertson?

If the Vale can keep the nucleus of their squadf from this season (Sommerville, Robertson, Shortreed etc.) and can add more quality then they have a serious chance of promotion. If they manage to sign the players that they are reportedly after then they will have a quality side. Also, if Notman ended up staying that would be a huge boost for them but I dont think its likely.

[SaintGroanin']

I don't think the number of players used this season has been an issue. Heriot-Watt used 37 players over the season and I don't know the exact figure for Peebles but they always seemed to have someone new playing for them, so it can't be far off that. About a third of the players Vale used were trialists brought in when injuries and suspensions started to bite, plus you had the usual half dozen or so departures during the season and others coming in. The one thing which has disappointed me is the amount of avoidable bookings (and a couple of red cards) for dissent, and it was in the last few weeks that this started to really catch up with us.
I must admit that when the management team was appointed earlier in the season, I had a slight concern about their lack of experience, but Lenny and Robbie both have a good, relaxed style of management and issue instructions to players clearly and calmly. The spirit in the dressing room is the best I can remember at Vale and some of the football we have been playing has been great to watch. I think everyone accepts that Notty won't be there next season and quite rightly - he's capable of a higher level, so he should be playing at that level. The players that I've heard are being targeted for next season are guys that have experience in the EoS, really exciting players who will definitely raise the standard. Allow me the indulgence of feeling positive for once, Vale have had too much despair recently. Getting to the King Cup final is a massive achievement for the club and I'm sure the lads will do us proud in the final.

[peeblesfc]

SaintGroanin' , on May 30 2008, 08:18, said:

I don't think the number of players used this season has been an issue. Heriot-Watt used 37 players over the season and I don't know the exact figure for Peebles but they always seemed to have someone new playing for them, so it can't be far off that. About a third of the players Vale used were trialists brought in when injuries and suspensions started to bite, plus you had the usual half dozen or so departures during the season and others coming in. The one thing which has disappointed me is the amount of avoidable bookings (and a couple of red cards) for dissent, and it was in the last few weeks that this started to really catch up with us.
I must admit that when the management team was appointed earlier in the season, I had a slight concern about their lack of experience, but Lenny and Robbie both have a good, relaxed style of management and issue instructions to players clearly and calmly. The spirit in the dressing room is the best I can remember at Vale and some of the football we have been playing has been great to watch. I think everyone accepts that Notty won't be there next season and quite rightly - he's capable of a higher level, so he should be playing at that level. The players that I've heard are being targeted for next season are guys that have experience in the EoS, really exciting players who will definitely raise the standard. Allow me the indulgence of feeling positive for once, Vale have had too much despair recently. Getting to the King Cup final is a massive achievement for the club and I'm sure the lads will do us proud in the final.

Good Luck to the Vale in the Final hope the boys do well!!!!!

[Sparky09]

peebles supporter, on May 31 2008, 12:23, said:

Peebles used 24 players over the season 3 of the players played twice and 1 once so it was a hardcore 20 over the season

hopefully the vale beat the billy big times of east of scotland football!!!