Chilvers reflects on away win and clean sheet
When Tranmere Rovers knew they had nothing to lose on Saturday in the final few moments experience was key, as experience goes defender Liam Chilvers has it in bundles.
Balls were pumped into the box by Tramere’s 10-men and Vale stood firm, largely thanks to Chilvers putting everything, including his face on the line to claim a second away-win of the season.
Chilvers reflected: “We got our game plan right and started well, in the first-half we could have been quite a few goals up.”
Despite Vale’s dominance they headed into the break goalless but Chilvers admits it wasn’t a worry that Vale were failing to take their chances.
“It wasn’t a worry, it was just a little bit annoying more than anything, we were playing well and had so many chances, it’s just one of those things.
“When they went down to 10, you think are they just going to sit behind it and try and do us on the counter attack?
“In all honesty they came forward a little bit and kept the two upfront,” Chilvers said.
With Vale on the back-foot in the few final moments it was about organisation and putting your body on the line to clear the ball.
It is the time in the game where defenders earn their praise – block, tackle and clear repeatedly until the referee ends the game. For Chilvers it’s just about doing you job as a defender.
He said: “I got smashed by the ball in the face, I didn’t see it coming.
"I obviously went to block it but didn’t expect it to hit me in the face, the next thing I knew I was on the floor.
“That’s your job a defender.”
Another away win and another clean sheet, a pattern is emerging and a good pattern at that.
Chilvers reflected on recent games where Vale have failed to keep clean sheets and admits that all the goals could have been avoided.
“All-in-all it was a good result and to get the three points away from home and a clean sheet is always a good thing.
“We’ve conceded three and two against Leyton Orient and Coventry and they could have all been stopped at some point in the build up to it.
“That’s the annoying thing from a defensive point of view.”
An injury to Daniel Jones has opened up chance for Chilvers to work his way back into the side and with results and clean sheet becoming more frequent he his eager to keep his shirt.
“As partnerships go, the more you play together the more you get used to what each other do.
“The more work we do on the training ground that’ll obviously help as well.
“If you’re winning your hopeful things aren’t going to change or even if you’re putting in good performances.
“Somebody else has to do something to take it away or you have to have a particularly bad game.
“You’ve just got to do your best and hope that’s good enough," He added.