It’s a fantastic appointment but it should have happened at the start of January.
Ahead of today’s match between Port Vale and Lincoln City at Vale Park in League One, which will be refereed by James Bell, we have done a Q&A with two of their supporters, so thank you to Shane and Jonny (from @AleAndValePod) for answering our questions.
How long have you supported Port Vale?
5 years.
What were and now are your hopes and expectations for the 2023/24 season?
To finish in the top half of the league and maybe push for the top 10.
Now to be playing League 1 football next season.
What are your views on the appointment of Darren Moore?
It’s a fantastic appointment but it should have happened at the start of January so he could maybe bring some of his own players in through the January window.
Style of play and tactics – direct/passing/hybrid?
I hate the way we were playing 3 at the back but recruiting wingers instead of wing-backs didn’t make sense playing the formation we did with the players we had.
I don’t mind playing from the back but I think teams worked us out and would let us play through the first 2 thirds and pass backwards and sideways knowing we didn’t have much firepower in the final third and teams would then press in the final third and take the ball from us, so it made us look like we were playing better football that we actually are.
Hopefully, this will now change under Darren Moore.
One(s) to watch now and in the future?
Jesse Debrah fantastic player and will go a long way in the game.
James Wilson if he is on his day there is no better player in the league (but he has not had many good days this season).
Ethan Chislett again if he is on his game can be a great exciting player someone to really get you out of your seat.
I would also have to say something about our young academy players look like they are going to go a long way in the game, Jack Shorrock and James Plant.
Random fact about your club?
Play in the Wembley of the north.
We are the 3rd highest stadium in the UK.
We are not named after a place (and no one can 100% say where our name came from).
Singing superstar Robbie Williams is a lifelong fan of Port Vale.
Which were your favourite and least favourite matches involving Port Vale?
My Favourite was the play-off semi-final 2nd leg against Swindon Town in 2022
The worst game was my first-ever Port Vale away game against Grimsby Town in 2019 went we lost 5-2.
But saying that the 7-0 loss away to Barnsley this season was quite bad.
Which sides do you think will finish in the top six and which do you think will finish in the bottom four?
Top 6: Portsmouth, Bolton, Derby, Barnsley, Oxford, and Stevenage.
Bottom 4: Carlisle, Fleetwood, Shrewsbury, and Burton.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
I hope we beat them on Saturday.
