Pressley predicting big things for City
AFTER a slow start to the season Coventry are finally figuring things out according to boss Steven Pressley, and he insists ending their 54-year hoodoo against Port Vale was the perfect way to serve notice to the rest of League One.
April 1960 was the last time the Sky Blues beat the Valiants but a captain’s performance from Reda Johnson ensured that drought finally came to an end at Vale Park.
The skipper scored just before the hour mark after he rose highest at the back post to head home Matthew Pennington’s looping cross and Gary Madine sealed the deal with a stoppage-time tap-in.
The three points mean Coventry climb above their opponents in the table but Pressley claims that despite losing just one of their last six league games, there is still more to come.
“It’s not quite the perfect performance but it’s a very good one – we’ve kept another clean sheet and that’s something that pleases me,” he said.
“I just felt that if our final pass and our final moment were better, then we could have scored a number of goals.
“If we add that final ball to our game we can be a really good team.We’re not far away – if we keep that mentality, and that attitude, then we’re on our way.”
Coventry dominated possession in the first period but were unable to create any clear-cut chances and it was Port Vale who came closest on 28 minutes.
Mark Marshall’s corner was flicked on at the front post by the towering Chris Robertson, forcing Ryan Allsop into a save.
The hosts’ best chance fell to their best player on the day seven minutes into the second half but Marshall had the ball smothered at his feet by Allsop when through.
And Johnson made the home side pay as he powered home a header on 57 minutes before Madine wrapped things up in time added on.
Vale were caught on the counter and keeper Chris Neal could only parry Jim O’Brien’s shot into the forward’s path.
Manager Rob Page bemoaned the Valiants’ current misfortune with injuries and suspensions but admitted that was far from the only issue on display.
“Obviously when you have all your players fit and eligible to play it helps your cause but we can’t sit and grumble and use that as an excuse,” he said.
“It’s not the only reason for our defeat, a lot of things have contributed to the loss – not defending properly at the back post was one.
“We’re disappointed with the result and disappointed with the performance, but we will address it and aim to put things right as soon as possible.”