Port Vale probably one of my least favourite sides I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this season. Not so much because of our head to head Championship rivalry under Martin Allen but more to do with the welcoming our supporters coach received earlier in the season. So after recent appalling weather conditions and with howling winds and drifting rain the night before, thoughts turned to the visiting supporters who were likely to get a damn good drenching in the open BMS or the match getting called off. So it was a bit of surprise to see the sun shining and not a rain cloud in sight this morning. Pre-match warm ups down the Cricks, normally bodes well for a good afternoon with son and friends, albeit it a bit chilly. However, once we eventually reached the ground and kick off for the first half, sunshine turned to cloud and an eventually downpour. Does the Medway Stand have a roof, jeez you could have fooled me...soaked. Although looking across to the away section and the appearance of waterproofs brought a wry smile to my face. These days starting line-ups never seem to quite meet with my full approval but I was certainly glad to see Dack starting again and even more delight when Bayo opens the scoring from a Dack corner and the Gills go in one up at half time, with Hewitt having done a decent job to silence ex-Gills Gavin Tomlin, especially as each time he got the ball, I had visions of him ripping us apart but the boys in blue did good Just on the hour mark and its Bayo again to add a second to the Gills tally. Could he be on for a hat-trick? Three minutes later I can only best describe it as one of the best movements I have seen from a Gills side in a very long time, I cannot even remember slick passing like this last season when we picked up the league two trophy, there was such a connection between Dack, Cody and Bayo and probably a name I have missed out, which led to our number 10 netting the ball quite neatly. It wasn’t so much the goal or that it was our third or even Cody that scored but just the manner it came about. If we could play in the manner of that third goal every game, we would not just be sitting in mid-table position. 3-0 up and cruising, Port Val literally had the guts ripped out of them, who would have predicted this. Then PT goes and presses the self destruct button and after some heroics by the opposition keeper to preventing us making it four, Bayo is taken off. The crowd were on their feet, to give him one of biggest standing ovations in a long while, the big man did good. But Peter Taylor why on 70 minutes, when the players had done everything right, do you decide to put us on the back foot? We bring on Smith and Pigott for Linganzi and Akinfenwa respectably but what a near disaster. This is no reflection on the loan players making their debuts but we went from being in control to allowing them to pull back to 3-2 and when you see an unbelievable five minutes go up on the board, you know you are into fergie time. When in situations like this, please don’t lump the ball in blind panic into vacant grass because the opposition are going to keep coming straight back at you. Bayo MOM deservedly so but my youth bias would otherwise give it to Dack. A fantastic performance, an absolute gem of a third that I can’t wait to see again but Mr Taylor you nearly so nearly once again screwed it all up. Still three points is all that counts and now eight points clear of relegation – dare I utter eleven points outside the play-offs, don’t be so daft I hear you shout dismissing such thoughts, no dafter I say than a 70th minute nigh managerial suicidal substitutions. The positives, if we could build up to goals like that third every game, then maybe PT could be our saviour. But if Vale had got a third, this could so have been a different chapter, when cheers would have turned to tears. Who’d want to be a manager eh?
Well that was a relief! I listened to the game and from going by Gillsplayer we just about deserved the lead going in at half-time in the poor conditions they said.We seemed to start the second half really well and get the second and third goals quite quickly.2 for Akinfenwa,and one for the inform McDonald.All three being assisted by Dack.I must say I did feel relaxed and we did nearly get a fourth when their keeper pulled off a triple save to deny Dack,Linganzi,and McDonald.We made changes and Linganzi,and Akinfenwa both were subbed,and we seemed to be a different Team once they both went off.We didn`t seem to keep the ball,and once Vale pulled one back they threw everything at us.The second seemed to be always coming,and we had to hang on for dear life at the end.At 3-0 I didn`t expect to age 20 years! I`m pleased we have got an important three points,to put us in the top half in 11th position.Thats three wins on the bounce now at home,and we have started to make Priestfield a mini fortess which is important.The only concern will be how we collapsed once the subs were made. I read Bayo was MOTM,but the groundsmen deserve to be up there aswell for getting the game on.Hopefully the Stevenage away game is on Tuesday,and we can get another three points.
Great result that said PT got it wrong with the substitutions as Linganzi had a great game as did Bayo. The manager placed us on the backfoot and nearly cost us the game
Taylor did exactly the right thing. What better time to have a look at your new signings than when you are 3-0 up? And who else would you bring off, bearing in mind that there is an important game on Tuesday night, other than Bayo (who is unable to last more than 60 minutes) and Linganzi (who we all know has glass hamstrings). These two had excellent games despite their genetic handicaps. So what did we learn? Pigott and Smith were awful and it could have lost us the game. Fortunately, Taylor did not have to find this out in a more competitive situation, but he had to find them out sometime. Other than that a really solid performance with real strength down the right side, some important contributions from Dack and a good show from Legge. Huge progress in the last three months. well done PT.
bristol407 You beat me to the 'balanced viewpoint' ( I've only just got home from going to Heathrow after the game - lucky son of mine going to Thailand/Bali/Australia for 3 weeks of mid 30 degree ) I am sure that Bayo would not have been rested & denied a hat trick opportunity if it wasn't for the game on Tuesday. I have criticised Taylor's tactics on several occasions this season - but who, of us would NOT have considered subs with the Stevenage game in mind. Unfortunately the replacements were not up to it - perhaps that was because of unfamiliarity with their colleagues. Luckily we deservedly survived. The fact is that Bayo continually proves that (tired or otherwise ) he occupies the attention of at least two defenders. When he went off the Vale team were able to relax from this duty. Also Cody lost some of the service he had been getting, and the all round effectiveness of the side took a dive. In an ideal world it would be nice if we could keep Bayo on the pitch for 90 minutes - but when things were going so well, Taylor, on this occasion can be forgiven for forward planning.
well done peter taylor.he has really turned us around.3-0 up,of course hes going to try the loanees.i couldnt be more happy at the moment.i cant believe people are putting taylor down.
This was a good win, a good 3 points, and oh! did I mention it was a win. Vale are a good team and to dominate them for 70 minutes shows how much we've progressed, remember it wasn't only us that made changes, Vale also brought new players on and went all out attack. 5 months ago we wouldn't have scored 3 goals let alone hold on for the win.
Well for me it was a game of 2 halves. One half lasted 70 minutes and the second was about the longest 25 minutes in football I've ever experienced, it went on 3 times longer than previous 70 I'm sure. Now for that first 70 minutes not only played well with the ball but worked hard off it. Vale had 1 game plan and it was to play Tomlin on the shoulder of the defence and move the ball forward as quick as possible, this led to a few offsides early on but then they seemed to run out of ideas after about 10 minutes. Oh wait they did have another plan it was to hit the floor at any possible moment when a Gills player was within a foot or failing that that chuck a hand in to the mix and get away with it time and again. But despite this the boys played some extremely good football on a pitch that was cutting up fast and unpredictable, sometimes it slowed down others it zipped through.... Players did well to not resort to just lumping the ball forward at any possible moment, that isn't to say we didn't use route 1, just that we didn't use it every time we got the ball. I thought Nelson had very little to do in this period but what he did was safe and assured, Legge and Barrett were comfortable and handled and dangerous looking front line of Pope (certainly no saint) and Tomlin with ease. Harriman and Hewitt is lovely partnership on the right both moving forward and defending like an experienced pair. Gregory broke things up well, Linganzie seemed to be everywhere and was my MotM (one of a possible 5, 6, 7 possible players at this time) Dack and Martin were not like the pairing on the opposite side but both played well, Dack is good with the ball and moving forward but doesn't give enough defensive cover (if I have a criticism), Cody was a moving pain in the butt all afternoon and works so well with Bayo, they're like a perfect combo, brb mentioned Cody's goal and the slick movement but I think the play just after that when he just missed out on a second would have bettered it had the ball nestled in the back of the net rather than the side of it. If there is a better player in the lower leagues at holding the ball and bringing others into the attack than Bayo I'd be surprised, what is surprising is the "ninja like stealth" (did I really just write that) he ghosts into the box once he plays the ball out wide and then how he defies gravity "like a bumble bee" to win headers in the box. And then why give the fans a easy afternoon???? Not the Gills way is it. Still I don't want to dwell on the negative too much. Youth vs. Experience brb you are always banging on about it. Well what we saw, IMHO was the downside to not having experience. We got lost and didn't know what to do. I'm not going to blame anyone, hopefully this experience will benefit the young guys. Finally the Ref, surprised no one has mentioned him. Thought he was weak and poor, gave Port vale anything when they hit the ground, actually encouraged this by not giving anything if the players tried to stay on their feet, didn't notice their hand balls (at least 7 I counted) and had to change several decisions about throw ins etc. just poor all round. Did the first goal go in? No idea from block H of the Medway stand but that was the game changing moment for me, we lost all sense of the game and it gave Vale hope. Very happy with 3 points and the first 70 minutes made sitting in the cold, wet, windy, did I say cold? Well it was all worth it in the. My son had a great time and went from talking about his friends going to Arsenal tomorrow before the match to Bayo this and Cody that after it. I'm very happy.
Don't think you can blame youth v experience for that Gemini...I never included untried loanee's in my equation and more referenced to our own youth. I also stated recently that I didn't want PT's loan youth players coming in to replace our own. Which is what happened today!
We just beat another top 10 team, but a large focus of your report is on the 2 substitutions brb. Why? Yes, we nearly didn't win. But as a lot of people have said there were very valid reasons for those two subs. I wonder what would have been said if we'd made no subs. Or if Linganzi's hamstring had gone in the last 15. Or if Bayo had to miss Tuesday. Also, it's not been mentioned, but as soon as Vale went 3-0 down, they made 2 (then a 3rd) sub and they switched basically to 4 up top and just simply "went for it". Maybe that is more the reason they came back into it. They are 8th for a reason. No mugs even if we made them look like it for 2/3 of the match. I wonder if their fans are blaming their manager for not starting with those subs? Me, I'll focus on a great win. Top half of the table (even if a bit false with number of games played). Who saw that coming 3 months ago? edit - actually brb, just seen your comment on the other match thread "woud like to see the Charlton lad in the 2nd half". When better to blood him than when cruising at 3-0 up
Fair Points Sir Keefy that I can't argue with but I just feel that if we had conceded a third as the OP states the chapter would have been so different from the supporters, I'm just a bit more upfront about it. We got away with the last 20 minutes. On reflection, yes, it was a good idea for PT to try the subs during that period but its not the first time this season it has gone wrong when Bayo has been taken off, so i feel no lessons learned. I'm also annoyed because I knew Hessy would be edged out with the loanee's coming in.
Sorry BRB I don't mean this to be a personal attack but didn't you want Smith to start in midfield? I feel your frustration about young hessy but he and Gregory are too similar to make the midfield dynamic and creative. Agree with all of the comments above and Linganzi was my man of the match he was superb. Best midfield display I have seen for years from a gills player and that is exactly the sort of performance we have been missing. That is exactly how I remember him playing for Accrington against us last season. I have no problem with the substitutions, anyone would have done the same, especially as I doubt Linganzi is fully fit yet. Unfortunately the two youngsters ran around like rabbits in the headlights. In hindsight ***an would have been a much better fit but it wouldn't be Gillingham without a nervy finish. As Gemini mentioned hewitt and harriman are creating a great partnership down the right, its just a shame neither are ours. Here's hoping we can sign up harriman permanently. Special mention to dack for his three assists much better performance when starting and what a ball for the 2nd goal, however the game still seems to pass him by sometimes. Anyway up the Gills and its great to be looking upwards rather than downwards.
Another fair point, I didn't actually say Smith should start, however, I believe I did say he should come on in the second half via my pre match comments. Jeez you people are on the ball today (no pun intended).
An excellent win and a fine performance as we played some of the best football I have seen at Priestfield for a long time. I really hope Linganzi stays fit because I have been waiting a while to see that sort of performance from a central midfield player, he was superb. Bayo was also excellent and his link up play with Cody was top notch. Special mention for Dack, three assists and superb delivery for all three of the goals, the ball to Cody for his goal was brilliant. I really enjoyed today, apart from the nervy last 10 minutes, and think Peter Taylor is doing a great job once again. We can be optimistic for the rest of the season, well done Gills!
Actually, I've just been scrolling through the Vale forum, and a couple of League 1 forums, and Vale fans are doing just that Drop Pope, start with Hugill (sp) is the common theme. Apparently Pope has only scored 1 in the last 10 or so, and not scored at all since early December.
I Thought it was a great game of football, both sides played to win, the officials were up to their usual poor standard at our level (the assistant on Medway stand side was unable to keep up with play at all and missed at least 3 offsides butI should offer some praise to the ref as I think that it was as a result of him picking up on the holding of Bayo's shirt that allowed him to get free to score the first, and I did think the ball crossed the line for their first). Bayo was the stand out performer to my mind, but all 11 that started contributed to a good perfromance and the 3rd goal was as good a team goal as I have seen us score for some time. Won't get carried away yet but we are moving in the right direction and I won't right off Pigott and Smith yet but they will need to do better when they get another chance, though Pigott in particular may do better if we are chasing the game and not being pinned back in our own half defending the lead that we had deservedly built.
That was certainly a match to get the blood pumping thats for sure. Started the day off nicely at the cricketers being able to talk just Gillingham with friends. First half I'll be honest I thought Vale looked more threatening and likely to score than we were. Hewitt was getting ripped apart down the right in the first half and then received a yellow card for no reason at all. Seriously in what world was that a yellow? Anyways back to the match, Vale were pressing but had no end product, Legge and Barrett were doing well and keeping Pope quiet. More questionable free kicks followed and as it reached 40 mins and had been desperate for a wee since the 15th minute, I poodled down to the gents with my mate and typically I missed the goal. Always my luck. Whatever Taylor said to the lads at half time certainly got them fired up, in that spell up until Linganzi went off we played some of the best passing and attacking football since Stimson was in charge. Every ball Dack put in was dangerous, Vale had no way of keeping "The Beast" under control. He deservedly got his second from a great corner. Then we witnessed one of the best team goals in years, probably the best I've seen as a Gills fan. The passing and movement for Cody's goal was phenomenal, this was turning into a walk over! Bayo flicked it onto Cody, surely this must be a fourth! Oh he hits it wide. THEN.... We took our two best players of the pitch. Bayo was a real force that match and I'm sure he was disappointed not to get a crack at the hat-trick. Linganzi showed his class against Vale and how much of a talent he is. Strong, great passing, interceptions and even a cheeky flick in the first half. He will play much higher and how lucky we are to have such a talented midfielder in the team. I was disappointed he went off, I personally would have taken Gregory off. Don't get me wrong I though Gregory had a good game, I just felt that the way Linganzi was playing he should have got the full 90. Vale's first attack after Linganzi went off and a questionable goal happens. I don't think anyone in the stadium realised it went in, even most of the Port Vale fans didn't cheer as they were just as clueless as we were. Smith and Pigott looked exceedingly nervous and as a result both made poor touches and poor passes. That wasn't an excuse for the rest of the team to start running around like headless chickens however. When they scored the 2nd through cheap defending (another Barrett mistake I believe but don't hold me to that) we were playing for our lives. 5 Minutes added time. Where the hell did that come from? Hold out Gills, Hold out! Ref blow the bleeping whistle! Ref!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank Christ for that. Typical Gillingham, always make it hard for ourselves but most of the players played so well. I understand why Taylor took our best players off but still, should have kept them on.
http://fan-of-mulligan.tumblr.com/post/75918333868/fom-blog-gillingham-3-2-port-vale This is My FOM BLOG on Gillingham's 3 - 2 win against Port Vale last Saturday, I hope everyone here enjoys reading my latest blog because it is a long blog and I packed in plenty of detail.
