Match Thread Port Vale (H) @ 15:00 19th March

No hard feelings at all. Having lived in Leeds for 3 years and knowing a few absolute pricks who were Leeds fans, you hold my respect by putting up with them as neighbours!

In all honesty, neither of us should be down here, particularly you with your fanbase and history. The sooner we get out of this league playing the dog and duck every other week, the better. You've been dealt a bad hand with a poorly constructed squad, but Hughes did well with the shite and had them playing good football....I think he's a bit of a coup for you.

 

Yes! He used to be junior captain at Burslem golf club where I played as a junior. He told us he was going for an audition for a band in Manchester (always a bit of a show off) and the rest is history. His best mate Johnny Wilkes has mutual friends to me (my dad taught him) and Robbie's old man is always in the boozer opposite my house. Everyone in Stoke seems to know him!

 

Very good, your post came up as I had just finished washing the dishes listening to his early songs which I haven’t done for years! Any chance of him ever investing into or even owning Vale?

 

Maybe....he did give us £250,000 a few years ago but we were in trouble at the time. He has a great relationship with Carol, our chairman, and is hosting a concert at Vale park in June. I think he might get involved eventually.

 

He has to do but you’ll probably end up like us where we missed out on two local billionaires who fell out with each other in Jack Tordoff (JCT600) and Ken Morrison (Morrisons) and didn’t take up the opportunity to buy us because of it. Sums our history up in one.

 

I thought he was great in Mork and Mindy

 

Billionaires…….Yer right.

 

Burslem (rightly) gets a bad press, as it's a bit of a shit hole. It was once quite a prosperous town would you believe? But there aren't many grounds anymore within walking distance of a town with a number of good pubs. Many modern grounds are located next to b and q and you can't get a pint in there. Always enjoy heading up North, Bradford's ground is in a good spot near the centre rather than one of these out of town, daytripper family friendly jobs.

 

Another very tough game this and I'd probably go as far as saying is MHs toughest test so far, although his first game against Mansfield was tough and we ended up well beaten in the end he'd had no time training with the team prior to that game, Swindon was ridiculous improvement and we should of won, FGR well tbh I just don't get it with them cos in recent times whichever of our many managers has been in charge we've always somehow made them look average at best, and Hartlepool was a solid proffesional performance without really having to hit top gear. Saturday will be a true test for us and regardless of result it should give MH vital information towards what we require for next season. Having said that I hope he doesn't get blinkered by any players playing above there normal levels purely because they have zero pressure on them now this season is over, as this is still the same players that totally crumbled last season when the pressure kicked in at potentially making the play offs. Tough to call but I'm going 1-0 City Callum Cooke

 

We need to be 8pts or less adrift from play offs with 5 to play and with players coming back it's possible.

 

This means what please?

 

I've said it before several times and I'll say it again. Jack and Ken never fell out, in fact they used to have lunch together several times a year, I know because I've been with them on occasion so please stop peddling untruths.

 

Very true, good place to go back in the days!

 

He's only been here a month and I love the bloke. He's so calmly inspirational to listen to. He makes me want to turn up with my boots and put a shift in for him, I can't imagine how enthused the players must be! Back this bloke properly in the summer and we'll smash this league next season.

 

Yes he’s great, didn’t take long to warm to him…..His calming manner is an absolute refreshing change as opposed to “The big I am”.

One line he said, I think it was this same interview……..

“ Possession with Purpose”

In other words, what’s the point of endless possession if you don’t do anything with it?

I believe he’s not keen on the big hoof from the two central defenders reading between the lines?

 

Someone who has played for top European clubs and managed in the Premiership is definitely not going to be a fan of 'hoofing', that's for sure

 

He's got that calm authority, mixed with gravitas. There'll be a 'hairdryer' in him, no doubt though. He'll command the right balance of respect and fear.

The bit I really like is the emphasis on not criticising players for trying to be creative on the ball. Players need to feel that they have the backing of the manager to try different things.

 

Last time I went to Port Vale a load of youfs egged our coach on the hill up to the ground, Unfortunately for them they egged the bus behind us that was full of the ointment lads who stopped and chased them