‘We can’t look too far ahead. We must focus on facing Lincoln’
DARREN Moore insists Port Vale need to produce a ‘near perfect’ game in order to beat Lincoln City this afternoon. Moore has opened up his Valiants reign with back-to-back away defeats at Cheltenham Town and Reading.
He’s looking forward to his home debut with a clash against a Lincoln side who are unbeaten in seven matches.
Vale, in contrast, have lost six of their last eight League One matches to leave them thirdfrom-bottom of the table and two points from safety.
They last tasted victory against Blackpool on December 29.
Moore knows he has to turn things around quickly if he is to lead the club out of trouble.
“Port Vale have to have a near perfect game in and out of possession, but we are working towards that and we have to apply it,” said Moore.
“I knew the situation and knew the challenge when I came in. The plan is the here and now. Even in the here and now it’s the old cliche ‘one game at a time’. All we are doing is separating one game at a time and putting all our energies into that game.
“We know a couple of boys are coming off the injury table which is really good to see to add to the group because in terms of the volume of games on a Saturday/tuesday, the squad rotation is inevitable.
“I don’t look too far. We are looking forward to Lincoln. The training methods are different and the approach to the group is different.
“But it’s the group applying themselves to the here and now. What’s gone doesn’t matter. It’s the here and now that matters.”
Regaining that winning mentality is the next step, but
Moore said: “It can be difficult if you lose. But you’ve got another game in a short space of time to put it right.
“The feeling at Reading was good. But we have to be better in the latter part of the game. Concentration levels have to be spot on.
“Taking your chances when they do come. All of these things.
“First things first, it’s taking care of the small details. Doing the basics well with the defending principles and attacking principles, If you concentrate on doing the basics well, you find you are staying in games longer, you are creating chances, opposition are getting in less advanced areas, then the percentages and pendulum start to swing in your favour.
“Those are the small steps you have to keep taking. If you take too big steps it exposes different areas of the pitch and you get caught in between. If we do the right things, we will soon see the fruit of our labours. The players are an honest group and are working really hard.”
He continued: “For us it’s about individuals and doing the basics well and getting those right, in training, throughout the week and they are then applied in game.
“If we work towards that for us to get that first win, when we get that win, things will fall into place.”
Alex Mighten, who has played more than 50 Championship games, will be key to Vale and Moore, who had the winger at West Brom, said: “Alex is an exciting player, a wonderful ball carrier, he’s creative, puts defenders on the back foot and I’m really pleased to have him here. It’s looking at the attacking players and seeing how we can win games by having as many of them on the pitch as we can. It looked a nice balance the other night and we looked a threat going forward which is what you must have if you want to win.”
As for bringing in free agents, Moore explained: “We are looking. We are making sure we can do everything possible to make sure this club moves forward. If that means there is a free transfer player out there who is going to benefit the team we are open to that idea.
“The only thing is, physically, are they in the right position to contribute? In my experience it can take six, seven or eight weeks to get going and to get up to speed so by then there’s not much of a season left.
“It’s how much they can come in and contribute to the here and now because the here and now is what we are looking at.”