Martin Tideswell: It's just a matter of time before we home in on Vale Park win
WELL no-one can say we've had an easy start to the season with so many tough away fixtures.
Indeed, but for two dubious home performances we would now be sitting pretty at the top of the league. So why can't we win at home?
There are those who believe the team is under less pressure when they play away and therefore perform better.
This is presumably because they don't come under the same scrutiny and receive the same criticism as they do at Vale Park.
But that would suggest the players are mentally brittle or that home fans are dishing out lots of stick, which I don't believe to be true.
One thing Micky Adams has done is instil in his squad a fighting spirit lacking under some previous managers.
By the same token the home fans have, since the middle of last season, got behind the team and are less quick to boo than they once were.
I don't think one draw and a defeat is the start of a trend. In fact, I fully expect our home form to soon be as good as it is on our travels.
We could and should have won the Chesterfield game and, without wishing to make excuses, I think our lack-lustre performance against Torquay simply came on the back of a sapping midweek drubbing in the Carling Cup.
I don't see anything for Vale to fear this season. We ought to be top six at the very least.
Micky has transformed the first team into a unit which has a big physical presence to supplement the guile and pace we already had.
Meanwhile, the addition of Gary Roberts could yet prove to be a masterstroke.
When he's on top of his game, Roberts looks a class apart. He is the playmaker we've been missing.
Thankfully, the Mike Newton saga is on the back burner, allowing us to focus on events on the field.
But the New York-based businessman shows no signs of cooling his interest in the club, so we can expect his name to start cropping up again if Vale lose three games on the trot or at the annual meeting later in the year.
We can at least be grateful that Newton's proposed investment has turned the spotlight on the parlous state of the club's finances – and underlined the importance of Adams to the Vale.
If I was on the board, I'd be talking to the gaffer about extending his contract.
At the same time, Bill Bratt knows he and his fellow directors must find new investment soon, or the reasons for turning down Newton's proposal will falter.
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by readthecharterpleasebill, stoke
Saturday, September 11 2010, 10:46PM
“First of all Andy, if you knew the reason why I wasn't, you wouldnt be laughing at all. Secondly, can you answer how Newton would change the constitution with 24.9% of the shares. For all your condescending rubbish you talk, you haven't actually said anything that makes any sense.”
by Andy, Alsager
Saturday, September 11 2010, 6:29PM
“Readthecharter perhaps you should read again what I said.....everything quoted was what Newton said not what I made up! Good to see you were at the match today....posting your comment at 335pm! And you say I'm a joke hahaha”
by Readthecharterpleasebill, Stoke
Saturday, September 11 2010, 3:35PM
“Andy: what you have posted cannot happen without 75% of shareholders backing it....FACT. He can't get rid of dissenters with regard to shareholders votes...FACT! He can't just unilaterally change the constitution, and has to stick to e rules...FACT!
A blue fiesta? Are you sure it wasn't a red micra. Yet more laughable comments. Not one bit of truth, and as for the car comment...he has shown proof of funding. All these points have been gone over countless times, but it seems some fans are embarrassingly slow to take it in.”
by Tim Barber, Biddulph
Saturday, September 11 2010, 1:29AM
“andy alsager. Say what you want the fact is he can't change anything wihtout 75% of the vote. Robbie = 25% an other = 1% = no change. In the memos arts= fact”
by Andy, Alsager
Friday, September 10 2010, 11:06PM
“Right then.....anyone hear this fella Newton on local radio tonight? In answer to your "how can he do it with 24.9%" Tim Barber....he has no intention of sticking to those rules mate as he made it plain that he would get rid of dissenter and change the constitution. In fact he appeared totally nonplussed that anyone should stick to those rules anyway. Healso likened the Vale at the moment to "Ciaucescus Romania".....not really the language of a competent businessman methinks. Finally he said he was calling from a parked car on the sliproad off A500 at Audley.....I drove past as he was chatting and the only car I saw parked exactly where he said he was was an old pale blue Fiat Uno....just the thing that your upmarket New York hedge fund trader drives around in? And before anyone says anything....every single word of this is FACT.”
by one "true" vale fan, diggerland
Friday, September 10 2010, 8:46PM
“I have just made a comment, prior to registration, has this been lost?”
by Tim Barber, Biddulph
Friday, September 10 2010, 7:15PM
“Yes Wigan very strange just like the fact you don't answer the question put to you. Sticking "a" button on the PC sorry.”
by Tom B, Stoke
Friday, September 10 2010, 6:34PM
“Fact is this board have made numerous mistakes with Mr Bratt's hand at the tiller. We need change, and we need investment. Mr newton is offering both, and with a sensible approach.
To continue as we are, we run the risk of not having a football club in the next few years. Lets face it, he's the best option the Vale have received in the last few years, and there's Bob Hope of anything better coming to light.”
by Exile, Wigan
Friday, September 10 2010, 5:38PM
“Dear Tim Brber,
(What a strange surname you have!)
Thank you for rising to the bait so quickly.
Work on the spelling and grammar, though.”
by Tim Brber, Biddulph
Friday, September 10 2010, 5:29PM
“Wigan Exile, please try and explain how this could be done with 24.9% of the shares. Did he do it at Oldham? More baseless scaremongering . We are where we are hey, better to be in admin and go out of business then.”