Dono, Vale look pretty good for promotion at the minute. From what you've seen, how do you rate yourselves vs the likes of Chesterfield, Wycombe, Bury, Shrewsbury, etc... ?
Well, we've not played Wycombe as yet, We've already beaten Bury and Shrews, and drawn with Chesterfield, So long as there is no drop in our fitness and performances, then I can't see us being far away from the top 6. while we are currently struggling with scoring, we are not being put under enough pressure to look like conceding, afterall, our Goals against column is on a par with Chelsea and QPR. So, allowing for Vale's inevitable struggle around christmas which happens as long as i can remember, but with a strong run in, I'd be disappointed if we werent well in the play offs.
Alright Tom, what do really think of Stoke City and their fans
I don't like them, I don't hate them, just a heated local rivalry, that recently hasn't happened for nearly a decade, but in the last 20 odd years, Vale had a great record over Stoke, which Stoke fans don't seem to remember
Most people I know are Stoke fans, and yes, I get stick for being a Vale fan, but I give as good as I get, and they are generally easy to wind up, and get frustrated after a few clever comments.
Which players in the Vale squad are, in your opinion, relatively good / bad ?
I think the spine of Vale's squad are all pretty good in their individual ways, but this season's surprise packages are Stuart Tomlinson, a keeper dragged from non league who has kept 10 clean sheets in the first third of a season, which is testament to him, and the defence in front of him.
Gary Roberts has had his personal problems, but thankfully, with a number of players he's played with for other clubs in the squad, and a strong disciplined manager to guide him, has been a shining light in the Vale midfield.
Adam Yates is my player of the season so far, purely for his transformation from squad player, to one of the first names on the team sheet in a season. Wasn't happy when the chairman signed him before Micky Adams arrived, but since Sam Stockley, Yates has become a solid right back, maybe a little short on pace, but positionally, and the reliability of him, McCombe, Owen and Collins in the back four is only a good thing.
