VALIANTS MANAGER CLARKE TO ANSWER FANS’ QUESTIONS

PORT Vale manager Darrell Clarke is joining owner Carol Shanahan and director of football David Flitcroft for Thursday’s online fans’ forum (7pm).

The event, which is being hosted by the supporters’ club in partnership with Vale, was originally billed as a chance for fans to put their questions to Shanahan and Flitcroft.

But Clarke will now also be fielding questions as he reflects on a testing first three weeks at the club.

Vale have picked up two draws and three defeats since Clarke arrived from Walsall and will be looking to widen the five-point gap to the relegation zone when they entertain Oldham tonight (7pm). The Latics are reportedly set to appoint Keith Curle as manager after parting company with Harry Kewell on Sunday. Supporters’ club chairman Mark Porter has welcomed Clarke’s addition to the forum and says he is also in favour of the new manager’s willingness to challenge his players in media interviews. Porter said: “He’s had a bit of criticism from some supporters for some of the things he’s said, but I think he’s right.

“I don’t know what he’s supposed to do? He’s doing his best with not one player that is his player there. “I am as concerned as much as any supporter. The players need to roll their sleeves up and sort it out, don’t be giving us hard luck stories. Put a shift in on the pitch, like the fans have in the past to save the club.

“A couple of victories and we will pretty much be all right but I can’t see where they are coming from. “The manager is chopping and changing to try to get a formula that wins. If you get picked then do your best.

“We all make mistakes but give 100 per cent. Scott Brown made a mistake on Saturday but then made a world–class save.

“We have lost twice in the last week, by one goal, to teams at the top of the table. The manager is right to say no hard luck stories. “Don’t be remembered as the team that went out of the league without fans in, be the team that turned it around.”