Port Vale: Backing for Anyon after Northampton howler
by Steve Shaw
GOALKEEPER Joe Anyon has been defended in the wake of his first-half clanger that helped Northampton Town win 3-1 at Vale Park on Saturday.
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With the score at 1-1, the 23-year-old gifted Northampton the lead on 45 minutes by spilling a cross to allow Abdul Osman to score from close range.
It was Anyon’s first major setback since earning a recall to Vale’s starting line-up four games ago, but his defensive colleague Lee Collins said: “Saturday does not affect my judgment of Joe at all. I think he’s a brilliant keeper.
“I feel sorry for keepers, because they can make one mistake and you can concede, whereas outfield players can get away with several mistakes and not get punished.
“Joe made a couple of good saves on Saturday and I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. It was just unfortunate.”
Northampton strikers Adebayo Akinfenwa and Billy McKay hit first-half goals either side of Osman’s strike to condemn Vale to a sixth home League Two defeat of the season.
Anyon has started Vale’s previous four games after recovering from a broken leg he suffered nearly 12 months ago.
But his inconsistent display against the Cobblers may open the door for Chris Martin, who has made 30 league starts this season, to return between the sticks tomorrow night.
However, with Vale preparing for tomorrow’s visit of Bradford City (7.45pm), Collins backed Anyon to bounce back from a rare lapse in concentration.
“Joe would have been hurting over the weekend, but we’re now preparing for tomorrow’s game,” he said.
“Joe is professional and he’ll get on with it. He’ll punish himself because there’s no bigger critic of Joe than himself.”
Anyon’s inconsistent display against the Cobblers may open the door for Chris Martin, who has made 30 league starts this season, to return tomorrow.
However, Vale boss Micky Adams remains tight-lipped on which of his keepers will get the nodto face the Bantams.
“Keepers make mistakes from time-to-time and we’re not going to pillory Joe for that,” he said. “He’ll have to live with it.”
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by buttermargarineandlard fingers, Boslem
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:21PM
“If Micky Adams is considering offering Joe Anyon a new contract can I just suggest he hands it him and not throws it in the air as I along with anybody who was there on Saturday knows what will occur.
Sorry Joe but you took you're eye off the ball everytime a cross came in, please see this as a giggle with a bit of constructive criticism but you've got to command the crosses and believe you are going to catch them.
Other than that I thought we played as good as we have for a while.”
by Matt, Tunstall
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:08PM
“I'd not been to Vale Match since the beginning of the season, and they played bloody awful.
Hoofing the ball in the air, and losing it. Passed not connecting, no love for the game etc.
However I was surprised at the way the team played on Saturday, with some brilliant stand out performances.
All except the keeper that is. Will someone tell him he can come off his line!
The half time team talk by Adams must have been red though as I haven't seen the Vale play like that in a number of years.
Players making runs, balls connecting, brilliance in defence (Griff).
Even though it was sad to see them lose, and the fact we weren't able to make some of those shots from the second half count, I was heartened by the display.”
by tay3318, Stoke
Monday, March 08 2010, 1:31PM
“I'd have to agree that Martin for a young kid has done very well. The only reason I can see why he may of been left out of the team is his kicking its terrible & with Grew as his coach its not going to get much better.”
by jon-paul, Newcastle
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:40PM
“Chris Martin is a far better keeper than Joe Anyon. He commands his area better (i.e he can catch a ball), he is a better shot stopper and he is a better kicker of the ball. He has been our best and most consistent player this season up until he got dropped. Please lets see him back in goal asap.”
by Jon, Stone
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:52AM
“Dry your eyes Johnty, there's no need to get upset.”