Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 23, 2010 19:00:42 GMT
I was never brought up to be greedy and all my life have only taken my fair share of anything and its hard to find myself sitting here starting this match day thread feeling all I want is more and more of the same as far as our results go and our clean sheet record.
Why? well as Torquay United fans we have had far more of our share of tears and heartbreak, far to many seasons were we suffered and hurt when we just failed in the end or as was the case a few seasons ago, suffer the pain being relegated brings.
Unbelievable really that some fans are still going over old ground still trying to bash Paul Buckle, why can’t they just enjoy this really great time we are now experiencing and enjoy it in its fullest because it won’t last forever and there will come times when we will feel down in the dumps again.
Milk it for all its worth, feel very proud your team is topping the table and understand its because of the hard work and good management skills of Paul Buckle we are top of the table and have a team playing very good enjoyable football at the moment.
After winning our first away game and due to our great start to this season the team will go into this game feeling very confident they can come away with all three points and what a first month of football that would be to win the first four opening games and seeing our manager rightly winning the manager of the month award.
Port Vale are not going to be an easy team to beat at their place and our lads are going to have to keep up their high work rate and show the same great team sprite they have shown so far this season.
I would expect Bucks will stick to the same starting eleven that started the Bradford game and if he were to make any changes I could only see that being Grits for Billy Kee who has worked hard in games but as yet as still failed to really impress.
Its going to be hard for the players to forget about the record and just concentrate on winning the game and if we do go one nil up I hope they don’t end up just sitting deep but keep going forward looking for a second goal.
Should Vale take the lead and the record comes to an end I’m sure they will quickly put that behind them until after the game and do all they can to win the game and get those three points that would keep us TOP OF THE TABLE. Boy does that sound so good to say that, think I’ll say it again TOP OF THE TABLE.
If you’re going to the game please post a match report if you can as it’s always great to read the views of those who were there.
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Post by modgull on Aug 23, 2010 19:18:48 GMT
Part of me thinks this is the game when it will come to a, hopefully temporary, end. But the other part is starting to believe that we actually have a far better and stronger team than we have hitherto assumed.
I won't predict the score but if Vale are to win they will need to be at the top of their game.
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tufc01
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Post by tufc01 on Aug 23, 2010 20:59:10 GMT
I believe this could be a tricky game, but I also think we may have some things to our advantage.
They are also on a bit of a roll. Away victories at Southend and Bury and by all accounts unlucky to only get a draw at home to Chesterfield.
They also beat QPR in the Carling Cup, whilst we lost to Reading and this really could be the difference on Saturday and a good reason why maybe the loss to Reading was no bad thing in the end.
We have a free week between last Saturdays win over Bradford and our trip to Port Vale, whilst they have already played away last Saturday, but more importantly they are away to Fulham on Wednesday night in the Carling Cup.
There has been a bit of rain about these last two days, the pitch is likely to be heavy on Wednesday night. We could do with them taking Fulham to extra time and having an energy sapping 120 minutes of hard football. There is a possibility that the extra game might take something out of them, whilst we remain fresh, so another early goal for us this Saturday would be a great start.
To be honest I would settle for a 0-0 draw, although that would likely be a nervous 90 minutes to watch.
The run has to come to an end sometime, but wouldn’t it be nice if it wasn’t this Saturday.
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NickGull
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Post by NickGull on Aug 24, 2010 9:09:55 GMT
This is our toughest test of the season yet, in my opinion. Port Vale showed that they have something about them when Micky Adams took over them last season. The form they showed which resulted in them just missing the playoffs was very solid. They have kept the bulk of the squad together, and have also added to it with players like Justin Richards and Gary Roberts.
Vale are the only team so far, in my opinion, who actually have a real reason for optimism this season. Northampton and Lincoln were possible hopefuls for a top 10 finish, but didn't really have much to back that up. Bradford are always going to be predicted to be up there, because of the stature of the Club. Nothing else parts them from the other clubs in League 2.
If we come out of this game with our clean sheet record in tact, I will be amazed. The formidable partnership of the two Richards' has already started coming to fruition, as shown in their victory at QPR, and at Southend at the weekend. We'll need our back 5 to be on top form to keep this team out, as I feel they have goals all over the pitch. Lee Collins, their left back, has already scored one this season, and I hear that he is quite an attacking fullback. This could be good and bad for us; good that Zebs will be able to exploit any space behind him, but bad that if he makes powerful runs, then Robbo could be beaten fairly often.
One positive, is that under Adams, Vale have been much stronger away from home than they have at Vale Park. I'm hoping that they take Fulham to a tough 120 minutes in dodgy conditions aswell.
This is our first REAL challenge of the season in my opinion, as I see Vale being in the top 3 at the end of the season. If we can come out of this without conceding then I'll firmly believe that we could do something amazing this season.
I can't wait either. Never been to Vale Park before. I'll be delighted with a boring 0-0, or even better, coming home with 3 points.
However, unfortunately, I think our run will come to an end.
Port Vale 2-1 Torquay
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Post by stefano on Aug 24, 2010 11:35:06 GMT
However, unfortunately, I think our run will come to an end. Port Vale 2-1 Torquay 100% of the Vale fans I know are very worried about us ... he thinks we will win!  |
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Rags
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Post by Rags on Aug 24, 2010 12:30:45 GMT
Bizarrely I would rather draw 0-0 on saturday than win 2-1, simply to get nearer the record but obviously we will concede sooner rather than later. Picking up on what Hector wrote in the Mark Ellis thread, I'd much prefer to win 2-1 than draw 0-0 for the simple reason that I don't value the record as being that important in the grand scheme of things. If we're good enough to keep 10, or 11, or even 12 clean sheets in a row then we're good enough to win more than half of our games this season. If we can do that then I think we are good enough to go up, either automatically or via the play offs. And if we are good enough to go up then I'd rather have three points than a spurious record that comes with no intrinsic value. Holding the record of most clean sheets in a season will bring us its own success but being a mid-table team who went, say, 12 games in a row without conceding a goal then (hypothetically) going 8 games in a row without winning isn't going to do us any good at all. Clearly, I'd be very happy winning promotion and holding the record for most consecutive clean sheets, and therefore I'd rather we win 2-0 on Saturday. But if I were choosing between 0-0 and 2-1 to us then I'd take the win every time. I know that not many would agree with me that winning 2-1 or 3-2 is better than drawing 0-0 this Saturday, but that's just the way I feel at the moment. Paradoxically, the more games we go unbeaten the less excited I feel about the record and the more excited I feel about our ability to be challenging at the top of the division come April/May. |
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Post by stefano on Aug 24, 2010 12:44:20 GMT
Bizarrely I would rather draw 0-0 on saturday than win 2-1, simply to get nearer the record but obviously we will concede sooner rather than later. .... I know that not many would agree with me that winning 2-1 or 3-2 is better than drawing 0-0 this Saturday, but that's just the way I feel at the moment. I think most would agree with you really Rags, points on the board are far more important than keeping a clean sheet but dropping two points. We have already beaten our club record for clean sheets which we will remember, but the overall record is fairly meaningless. After all who knew that Reading were the holders of the record number of clean sheets until we put a run together and somebody looked it up? |
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 24, 2010 12:59:00 GMT
 Pragmatic as ever, I only view this record as becoming more of a millstone as every extension to it passes. The tipping point will soon arrive where pre-occupation with maintaining it will take priority over positivity in attaining a winning position and who knows what might have happened if Peter Taylor had managed to prepare his Bradford City side in a more professional manner than in which they set out in the game on Saturday? We once beat Liverpool 7-2, Leeds Utd 4-0, Man Utd 2-3 and West Ham 1-0; but that means nothing compared with the occasions when we have achieved promotion ~ something tangible and ultimately rewarding. I am sure the manager and the squad will be working hard this week, not on maintaining that record in it's own right; but on keeping a clean sheet and defending re-starts efficiently, tracking back and supporting team mates energetically and competently and going over and over those vital re-starts when WE have possession and on keeping shape, hold of the ball, pace and accuracy of passing. Phew ~ how do they ever have time to even think of that record between matches? 
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Post by yeovilgull on Aug 26, 2010 6:35:48 GMT
I`m in the preferring to win brigade. I`d much rather we win 2-1 and start thinking about what our record winning run is at the start of a season (anybody know?).
Having said that I think we will need to play it tight at Vale Park anyway as they are a good side and irrespective of whether there is a defensive record at stake or not I suspect this is one of the games where Buckle may be thinking of 4-4-1-1 with O`kane in the hole behind Benyon. It may even be a game for Gritts so we have an outlet for holding the ball up more.
Difficult one to call this. After their 6-0 defeat at Fulham last night either their confidence will be shot or they will come out like wounded animals. Here`s to 3 points and preferably 1-0 or better but if it`s 2-1, 3-2 I`ll take that. Personally I`ve a feeling this could end as a 2-2 draw.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 26, 2010 22:26:18 GMT
I`d much rather we win 2-1 and start thinking about what our record winning run is at the start of a season (anybody know?). Good question! By my reckoning, this season is only the third time ever that we have started with three league wins. We have NEVER won the first four league games. Our previous three game winning starts both ended in tears - 7-1 at Walsall in 1949 and 3-0 at Colchester in 1981! |
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tufc01
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Post by tufc01 on Aug 26, 2010 22:37:26 GMT
I've not been to Port Vale's ground before. Any tips or anything I should avoid? A nice place to eat before the game, best place to park etc I notice that .com hasn't got any ticket information for this game and looking at the prices on the Port Vale website I can see why. I've got a ticket for Villa Vs Everton on Sunday for £10, which is half the cost of getting into Vale Park.  |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 26, 2010 22:57:52 GMT
I`d much rather we win 2-1 and start thinking about what our record winning run is at the start of a season (anybody know?). Good question! By my reckoning, this season is only the third time ever that we have started with three league wins. We have NEVER won the first four league games. Our previous three game winning starts both ended in tears - 7-1 at Walsall in 1949 and 3-0 at Colchester in 1981! Third time lucky then?  I wonder if teams now feel pressurised to score against us with this run of ours and particularly at home will try to push forward more? Maybe the strategy will have more of a counter-attacking feel with possibly O'Kane starting in the hole behind Benyon? The good news is that there is a fully fit squad to choose from so plenty of options although I would imagine the starting line up picks itself apart from up front. Port Vale look a very good side and I don't think the defeat against Fulham will have much impact on their performance. I am pretty confident that we will end up in the top half of the table this season but a win would really set a marker down to the rest of the division! To be honest would be more than satisfied with a draw. |
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wigstongull68
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Post by wigstongull68 on Aug 27, 2010 17:17:37 GMT
Dave, i'm dragging my brother along to the game so will give my views on the game as soon as i get back and am able.
Even though we're on a fantastic run and sitting top, this game strangely makes me nervous. Vale are currently a fine side with a good ability to create and score goals, (I know we are too, but all the same) and as it's at their ground then I honestly see our defensive record coming to a sticky end. It will not be the end of the good times though as PB will continue learning about his team, and then instill confidence and positivity to start another run.
I will happily take a point from this difficult match, and continue our time at the top end of the table with the promise of plenty more points to come our way.
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Post by frankfurt gull on Aug 27, 2010 17:21:39 GMT
my league tip record this season:
correct score 1
correct result 1
wrong 1
I´m going for a 1-1 draw tomorrow.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 27, 2010 17:22:37 GMT
wigstongull68 look forward to reading your views on the match and hopefully we will get a good number of match reports, I'm sure tufc01 will do one but we might have to wait until Monday for his.
Not sure I will be around to listen to the match as I expect I will go and watch Ant play.
Dave
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