Why did we have to change half the team??

Fresh from no game last weekend, Comfortably winning 1-0 creating chances…absolute criminal to change half the team at that point..sat scratching my head…take three points and worry about fitness ahead of Saturdays match

 

Think that’s the problem with the 5 subs rule. Can end up making changes for the sake of it to save fitness of others.
Definitely more use to a side that’s struggling in a game. Got Vale a point tonight for sure.

 

Absolutely baffled by Duffs substitutions tonight.

I can understand that a bit of freshening up might have been desirable midway through the half, especially with them bringing on 3 then 2 for fresh legs. I'd have subbed Williams who'd given the ball away too often. Kane had a really good game but I assume he was jiggered, so I can understand Wolfe.

Why you'd have wanted to remove Thomas, Aitchison and Cole when they were creating chances on the break though, I've no idea. The replacements barely got a kick, never got up to match speed, and we were dead lucky to escape with a point in the end.

 

It cost us the game to be honest, bit baffling.

 

Just because you can make five subs doesn't mean you should. You used to have to earn game time. Now you know you'll get on to make most of Football turning in to the NFL with player changes.

 

These were the full time stats.

Half time were pretty close too.

I agree we looked more dangerous before taking off the players we did, but it still doesn't detract that defensively (from our side) Port Vale had some seriously good chances.

It was a game that if either side found their shooting boots, it could have been a hiding for either side

 

I agree with Williams, did well first half, and great cross for the goal. But second half he faltered. And McCarthy I'll add to that, I counted at least 5 small passes what got intercepted, lost the ball more times today than his last 2 games combined. Said to my dad, was really surprised Aitchinson was subbed off. Not only was he hurrying about winning balls, but he was excellent at holding it up and making space. He didn't particularly look tired either, strange one for me.

 

The problem is that our direct replacement for aitchison has been shipped out to make way for him who came on and walked around up front.

At least someone else's kids are getting game time in league 1 instead of our own though...

 

Did ff has to take responsibility he got it majorly wrong

 

I thought that just watching the 90 mins, without any stats.

 

I thought we played the better football. (The pass count indicates this). Chances were pretty even though & we did look exposed at the back as the game went on. No big panic from me, there were some good performances out there, particularly Kane, Kitching & Thomas in the first 60 minutes. We hopefully go again Saturday...

 

Duff did exactly the same against Wednesday and it came off. This time he made the changes to counter the changes vale made as they were beginning to take control. It didn't come off and the shape of the team didn't look right. Some of the opinions/ comments are laughable based almost wholly on the result. Before any subs were made the scorer of the vale goal had missed from point blank range. People are actually writing a player off after a 20 minute stint. He wasn't lazy, half hearted or soft. He simply misjudged whether they're player could nip in front of him. He was possibly having a go as he got no call that a man was closing in fast. Even after that mistake there was a chance to cut out the cross and to clear the cross. The dominance of the first half should have resulted in more goals but to think we will go through games whet the opposition don't have a spell of pressure is nieve. Unfortunately vale decided they'd have they're spell in the last 20. Hats off to their manager for changing shape and causing a problem that wasn't there first hour.