UNDER-FIRE ASPIN ON THE ATTACK
UNDER-FIRE Port Vale boss Neil Aspin came out fighting after questions over his future following defeat to Carlisle.
Aspin’s men went down to a deflected Connor Simpson effort after Ricky Miller’s first-half sending off at Vale Park.
Vale have only won once since the end of November and when tackled over his future, Aspin said: “I don’t know, it’s not my decision to make. You have a better chance of keeping your job if you’re winning games.
“I’ve always said as long as the players give their all on the pitch and represent me, then that’s all I can ask. If the club makes a decision that I have to go then it’s out of my hands.
“As long as the players don’t throw the towel in, then that’s all I can ask.
“I thought the players were desperately unlucky. It sums up how the season is going to go down to 10 men and then concede a goal from a double deflection.
“Whether I’m here or not, you’re asking the wrong person. Ask the chairman. What do you want me to say?
“By your questioning you obviously expect me to get sacked and the supporters want me sacked.”
By contrast, Carlisle are on the verge of the automatic promotion spots after an impressive run of eight wins in nine games.
And manager Steven Pressley said: “When I came here I inherited a very good group of players who were performing at a high level. It was important we didn’t make too many changes, which I’ve tried not to do.
“The players have been great and it was a difficult game on a difficult pitch, not in great conditions. To come away from home and win the game 1-0 shows good signs of a team.
“It was a really professional performance away from home and a really important one if you’re serious about making a challenge.
“The players in the dressing room deserve quality players coming in to continue the challenge they’ve put in place.
“We’ve done exceptionally well to get six points from the last two games considering how many players we’ve lost.
“Sixteen games is a long time with a small group of players.
“I know we have the money in place to bring in good players. I’ve been promised that.” The hosts’ first real chance fell Miller – on loan from Preston North End – but he blasted over. At the other end Scott Brown produced a fine save to deny inform hitman Hallam Hope. Carlisle caught the hosts on the counter again with Hope being frustrated by Brown for the second time on a wet afternoon. After the red card, Neil Aspin’s side defended resolutely as they tried to escape with a point. The pressure told in the 79th minute as Hope’s cross was poked home by Simpson.