Jamile Matt

Ashamedly this was my first game of the season, and I did at first think how could anybody possibly be any worse, even Hooper, but now on reflection and reading the above posts I agree, he did put a shift in for no real reward, though I think he only started performing from 70 minutes onward. Is he usually a bit more mobile, didn’t seem to have much speed about him?

He did much better when Cardwell came on for Dembele. I don't think he did that well before that but to be fair to him he was being isolated especially in the first half when the midfield sat too deep. Also, our delivery from set pieces was terrible today so we never got a chance to see him cause problems in the box until later in the game.

How the ref missed the holding on him in the penalty area near the end I do not know. Every little contact he gave a free kick. The goalie came flying out dived full length to punch it out caught a Town player and he gives a free kick. Then the centre half links him arms around Matt's chest but because it was in the area didn't give it. Unbelievable Jeff!

Very frustating player for me. Often not enough of a handful for his size. Was much better when Cardwell came on to support. Thought Cardwell played really well when he got on. Both need a goal though.

Matt had exactly the same treatment at Accrington earlier this season and the ref kept penalising him, rather than the offending centre back (couldn't understand it myself).

However, Matts job (hopefully of scoring goals) is not made any easier by the pedestrian defence movement. Overall, I reckon MJ (with his selections today) has the intelligence to resolve the Grimsby Town survival.

He needs a creative player to assist Berrett in midfield and I'm hoping it is Clifton (never seen him play) - if the team can be playing more in the opponents half rather than ours than that would be great. To enable this, then one of the older centre backs needs to be removed and Suliman (who obviously is a very good prospect) put in place - he may feel more comfortable if with 1 older pro rather than 2. This change, I believe would enable the release of a more attacking Town.

Only a few games to go but Town can stay up - definitely.

Ran his heart out again

Jamile Matt was badly isolated in the first half,  his marker was getting away with murder in holding him and climbing on him, which if the referee isn't going to penalise was free to do all day. Himself and dembele were often too far apart so any ball he did win was going straight to a vale player. Dembele is not a number 10, no way. In the second half as the game went on he was getting more help from Clifton an cardwell offering support, this showed some value to his play. Unfortunately he played most of the game with his back to goal and their defender upto the last 15 mins pretty much had him in his pocket. He does not deserve the abuse he just needs a strike partner in a 4-4-2 formation. Which he got when cardwells energy was assisting him.

Not a lone striker or hold up man IMHO but I like his application and his heart, hope he has a decent finish to the season.