MATCHWATCH : Port Vale (h)

[East Grinstead Royal]

I think he spent a while as Chris Evans’ sports guy when Evans started doing the Radio 2 breakfast show.

[KC Royal]

I think he spent a while as Chris Evans’ sports guy when Evans started doing the Radio 2 breakfast show.

Yes he did, they spoke about that pre match. Didn't listen to Chris Evans on R2 that often but seem to recall him telling Evans about going to watch us on a Sat but not admitting that he was working for BBCRB. Maybe he wasn't allowed to.

[BarryWhiteRFC]

Would agree with that, also Andresson is very much ready and waiting and I'd wouldn't be too upset if the club moved him to be the no 1 next season while CBC was out doing his thing on loan somewhere.

How has Andresson done? On loan at the bottom team is not a ringing endorsement. Hasn't he been injured a lot too?

Only played 6 games and now not even in the matchday squad. Not sure if injured. Also had a poor loan at Morecambe too that saw him dropped. Have to start to question if he is good enough yet given the evidence of those loans.

I live in Morecambe and now and again go to watch them play. I was at the match that saw him axed from the first team:

https://youtu.be/JwYXRDUst4Y?si=28d6BYWNFq-WRGTw

The first goal does not cover him in glory and he didn't do enough to make up for the first howler. I can't say I would want to see him in goal for us. I watched him in goal for a few games for Morecambe, however, that was now a couple of years ago, so he might have improved.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I think Wing is comfortably better than any CMs we had last season, which is ridiculous when you consider we're playing a division lower. In fact, would you even swap out Craig or Savage for Fornah, Loum or Hendrick?

[Orion1871]

Very much my point as is the thinking for next year - personally I would be minded not to play him at all this season, ensure he is fully fit then ship him out on loan to say Colchester for a season to get the experience ready to be potential #1 in 25/26. He'll still only be 22 by that point.

Would agree with that, also Andresson is very much ready and waiting and I'd wouldn't be too upset if the club moved him to be the no 1 next season while CBC was out doing his thing on loan somewhere.

How has Andresson done? On loan at the bottom team is not a ringing endorsement. Hasn't he been injured a lot too?

From a Carlisle fan on Reddit discussing the best and worst players of the season.

Worst: he only played a few games but Andresson was the worst keeper I’ve ever seen play for us. Cost us multiple games with weird individual mistakes. Thanks for that one Reading. Everyone’s been shite to be honest. Andresson is the one that stands out though.

[Snowflake Royal]

I think Wing is comfortably better than any CMs we had last season, which is ridiculous when you consider we're playing a division lower. In fact, would you even swap out Craig or Savage for Fornah, Loum or Hendrick?

Interesting. Thunderstrikes aside, I've thought Wing's performances haven't been as dominant in recent weeks.

And that the gulf in quality between our senior players and the Championship is very large. First touch and passing is often very iffy amongst quite a few and I think they'd get absolutely bossed in the Championship.

Whereas in a season or two I think Craig and Bindon, at least, will be completely at home in the Chump.

Last night was absolutely ridiculous pinball at times.

[leon]

I think Wing is comfortably better than any CMs we had last season, which is ridiculous when you consider we're playing a division lower. In fact, would you even swap out Craig or Savage for Fornah, Loum or Hendrick?

Interesting. Thunderstrikes aside, I've thought Wing's performances haven't been as dominant in recent weeks.

And that the gulf in quality between our senior players and the Championship is very large. First touch and passing is often very iffy amongst quite a few and I think they'd get absolutely bossed in the Championship.

Whereas in a season or two I think Craig and Bindon, at least, will be completely at home in the Chump.

Last night was absolutely ridiculous pinball at times.

banged on about it earlier but I expect more from Wing. His movement recently isn't good enough or he's been coached not to find space and stay put (which would be a weird but not surprising with our manager)

Despite previous misgivings Savage did well last night. Some decent passing (after an initial blip) and stood his ground/covered his position well. I can see him developing further and I hope will be be one to watch next season.

[Hound]

Savage seems to have improved a lot since being ‘dropped’. Been far more impressed recently. Bindon is a real talent and Mbengue when not doing things mind blowingly stupid is a good foil for him

Noticeable how much better the spirit is at the club this year, posts on Twitter showing the subs warming up with the mascots, the subs celebrating our second goal etc. great to see

[Snowflake Royal]

I'd been thinking Mbengue has big potential, but after almost two seasons and at 22 bit concerned he's still making some crazy stupid decisions.

But Dorsett looked like he could also make an excellent foil to Bindon, pre injury.

Savage is improving nicely and still only 20.

[blythspartan]

I'd been thinking Mbengue has big potential, but after almost two seasons and at 22 bit concerned he's still making some crazy stupid decisions.

But Dorsett looked like he could also make an excellent foil to Bindon, pre injury.

Savage is improving nicely and still only 20.

I agree about Mbengue’s decision making being crazy at times, but I still think he could become a pretty decent CB. I think he’s had a couple injury problems at times and he’s been played in various positions, which hasn’t always helped him. I think give him one job to concentrate on (CB) and we could have our next superman. Plus, his long throw in ability is a great weapon to have.

[Stranded]

I'd been thinking Mbengue has big potential, but after almost two seasons and at 22 bit concerned he's still making some crazy stupid decisions.

But Dorsett looked like he could also make an excellent foil to Bindon, pre injury.

Savage is improving nicely and still only 20.

His decision making may have been hindered by playing multiple positions and having to make different decisions each time i.e. the same scenario would need a different decision from a RB than a CB.

You would hope that the more games he plays at CB, the quality of his decision making will improve as he will have experienced the same scenario before and know what worked/didn't work last time and react accordingly. He'll also get to know better what his CB partner will do and react to that better.

It is a promising partnership and whilst I expect a fit Holmes to come back in, if they continue in this way, it will be a hard choice esp as they could well form the first choice CB partnership next season.

[windermereROYAL]

Last 10 home games W6 D3 L1, the only side to win here in that time Barnsley have lost just once on the road all season, we`ve become a very hard side to beat now on our own patch, 6 games to go here, winning at least 4 shouldn`t be out of the question, that should ensure safety

[WestYorksRoyal]

I'd been thinking Mbengue has big potential, but after almost two seasons and at 22 bit concerned he's still making some crazy stupid decisions.

But Dorsett looked like he could also make an excellent foil to Bindon, pre injury.

Savage is improving nicely and still only 20.

His decision making may have been hindered by playing multiple positions and having to make different decisions each time i.e. the same scenario would need a different decision from a RB than a CB.

You would hope that the more games he plays at CB, the quality of his decision making will improve as he will have experienced the same scenario before and know what worked/didn't work last time and react accordingly. He'll also get to know better what his CB partner will do and react to that better.

It is a promising partnership and whilst I expect a fit Holmes to come back in, if they continue in this way, it will be a hard choice esp as they could well form the first choice CB partnership next season.

If Mbengue and Bindon continue to do well, it makes no sense to bring Holmes back in. Better to let them keep playing together so they can be 1st choice next year.

[RoyalBlue]

I'd been thinking Mbengue has big potential, but after almost two seasons and at 22 bit concerned he's still making some crazy stupid decisions.

But Dorsett looked like he could also make an excellent foil to Bindon, pre injury.

Savage is improving nicely and still only 20.

His decision making may have been hindered by playing multiple positions and having to make different decisions each time i.e. the same scenario would need a different decision from a RB than a CB.

For much of his time at the club he's also lacked the benefit of having a decent, experienced and vocal player alongside him to talk him through games. I know Moore got a lot of stick from some elements of our fan base but IMO he was very good at doing that.

[Snowflake Royal]

I'd been thinking Mbengue has big potential, but after almost two seasons and at 22 bit concerned he's still making some crazy stupid decisions.

But Dorsett looked like he could also make an excellent foil to Bindon, pre injury.

Savage is improving nicely and still only 20.

His decision making may have been hindered by playing multiple positions and having to make different decisions each time i.e. the same scenario would need a different decision from a RB than a CB.

You would hope that the more games he plays at CB, the quality of his decision making will improve as he will have experienced the same scenario before and know what worked/didn't work last time and react accordingly. He'll also get to know better what his CB partner will do and react to that better.

It is a promising partnership and whilst I expect a fit Holmes to come back in, if they continue in this way, it will be a hard choice esp as they could well form the first choice CB partnership next season.

If Mbengue and Bindon continue to do well, it makes no sense to bring Holmes back in. Better to let them keep playing together so they can be 1st choice next year.

I doubt we need to worry much about Holmes displacing him for many games.

[Snowflake Royal]

I'd been thinking Mbengue has big potential, but after almost two seasons and at 22 bit concerned he's still making some crazy stupid decisions.

But Dorsett looked like he could also make an excellent foil to Bindon, pre injury.

Savage is improving nicely and still only 20.

His decision making may have been hindered by playing multiple positions and having to make different decisions each time i.e. the same scenario would need a different decision from a RB than a CB.

For much of his time at the club he's also lacked the benefit of having a decent, experienced and vocal player alongside him to talk him through games. I know Moore got a lot of stick from some elements of our fan base but IMO he was very good at doing that.

He may have talked a lot, but based on the state of our defence, it can't have helped anyone much.

[Royals and Racers]

Attendance 10,004

[Snowflake Royal]

Attendance 10,004

That's not awful for a rearranged wet winter Tuesday with a couple hundred away fans.

[Whore Jackie]

How are Port Vale (and Fleetwood) in the relegation zone, I thought that they passed the ball extremely well and had genuinely good chances to score. Am I missing something obvious? They seemed a long way from the weakest teams I’ve watched this season.

Port Value - they've got a bunch of games in hand and have been on a pretty poor run since the original game v us got abandoned. They've just changed their manager so would expect results to pick up soon.

Fleetwood - seems to be similar situation, they've changed their manager mid-season and are on a better run of form since that change.

Fleetwood are on their third manager now aren't they? FWIW, I thought Fleetwood, under Lee Johnson, were excellent when they beat us at home in October. Easily one of the best sides we've seen at the SCL this season. Not quite as impressive at Highbury, but been equally baffled as to their current lowly league position.

[Stranded]

How are Port Vale (and Fleetwood) in the relegation zone, I thought that they passed the ball extremely well and had genuinely good chances to score. Am I missing something obvious? They seemed a long way from the weakest teams I’ve watched this season.

Port Value - they've got a bunch of games in hand and have been on a pretty poor run since the original game v us got abandoned. They've just changed their manager so would expect results to pick up soon.

Fleetwood - seems to be similar situation, they've changed their manager mid-season and are on a better run of form since that change.

Fleetwood are on their third manager now aren't they? FWIW, I thought Fleetwood, under Lee Johnson, were excellent when they beat us at home in October. Easily one of the best sides we've seen at the SCL this season. Not quite as impressive at Highbury, but been equally baffled as to their current lowly league position.

Really?

I seem to recall them being pants but bouyed by a 20 yarder in the first few mins. We huffed and puffed, got level, really should have got a second then fell apart in injury time - as was the style at the time.