MOORE: VALE NEED TO CONTROL MATCHES IN A BETTER FASHION
DARREN Moore insists Port Vale must improve their mindset after his Valiants reign started with a 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham Town.
Vale had led twice in the contest against their relegation rivals with Nathan Smith and a Curtis Davies own goal - either side of Matty Taylor’s effort - putting them 2-1 up.
However, goals from Jack Shepherd and Will Ferry ensured the Robins turned the tables.
The defeat saw Vale drop to 22nd in League One, two points from safety ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Reading.
Moore said: “I thought we had a really good start to the game, pegged Cheltenham back and deservedly got our noses in front.
“There was nothing given in the first half and then I thought there was a needless foul just before halftime and they capitalised on that and scored the goal. So, we went in all square when we probably felt we had done enough to go in with our noses in front.
“In the second half again we threw caution to the wind. I thought we had to start the second half really bright.
“We got up the pitch with a counter and ‘Chissy’ did really well to play the ball across and their boy stuck it in the back of the net.
“We go 2-1 in front and then there was a decision given as a corner when it should have been a throw in. They capitalised on that and scored their second.
“Then the third came when we just misjudged the flight of the ball into our box, didn’t see the attacking player on our blind side and conceded.
“We tried to change things around, changed the shape. I thought in the latter parts of the game we dominated and had a couple of half chances to try to salvage something from the game.
“There were positives in the game – scoring two goals away from home and the substitutions making a good impact. But the disappointing things are to concede three goals in the manner we did.
“It showed we have some real good work to do with the players in terms of the mentality. The commitment and endeavour was there but certainly our mindset has to be stronger when we do get our noses in front to control the game better.”
Cheltenham leapfrogged Vale as a result of the win, leaving their boss - former Vale chief Darrell Clarke delighted.
But he admits there is still work to do to complete their escape.
He added: “I enjoyed a lot about our performance, to come from behind twice in the game was testament to the character of the group. It’s in a strong place at the minute.
“We’ve had a really fantastic week, but that’s all it’s been. We now have to recharge, get all our batteries together, have a good reset and build into next week. But nine points in a week with the situation we are in ourselves has been a good week and we have to enjoy moments like that because it’s a big nine points for us.
“It was a battle, second-ball game, hustle and bustle. Blackpool were more technical, possession based but they didn’t really cause us any problems.
“Port Vale caused us more problems and Darren (Moore) will go in there and turn them around, make no bones about that. He’s a top class manager and a top class guy. They’ll turn it around and I am sure they’ll get the rhythm.
“For us it’s about fighting away nothing has changed since I’ve come in the building. We needed a certain amount of wins and we’ve ticked another one off today.
“You have to win games of football. It’s nice to put the treble together, the nine points, obviously, but we can only play one game at a time. That’s been our focus. We spoke about having a good week, but you have to win the first game, then the second, then the third.
“For a team like us, with the resources we have, to win three games at this level, with the level of investment in lots of teams is a big achievement. Our fans have been superb and they’ll go away and enjoy that.”