Boss disappointed with defending though in 1-0 defeat
Port Vale boss Rob Page feels his side could have taken a point away from Glanford Park after losing 1-0 on Saturday.The Welshman saw his side leave Lincolnshire empty handed after a second half header from Paddy Madden stole all three points for the hosts.
Speaking to the press after the game, Page said that he did not think there was much between the two sides during the game.
“There were two teams having a go, not much between them and it is from our throw-in that leads to their goal.
"I said to them at half time that the first half we had to defend our own box and I thought that we did in numbers and were first to everything and then we go out second half and one ball in the box and we get done back post by a header.
“I’m disappointed to concede the goal in the manner that we did, again we threw everything at them for the last 10 to 15 minutes and they had to put a centre half on to sit in the middle of the park, just to soak up the pressure and credit to them it worked for them and they are on a fantastic run at the moment but it could have been a draw today.”
The manner in which they conceded the winning goal is something that annoyed the Vale boss.
“I’m disappointed, of course I’m always disappointed when we concede a goal, I always look at it and there are things that we could have done.
“Maybe we could have done a little bit better at stopping the cross originally so it is not always looking at the goal and who’s at blame for not marking. In the main I have been really pleased with them and the effort that they have put in today.
“Our fans will appreciate the effort that they have put in again today.”
Page elected to stick to the 5-3-2 formation that has helped them to win their previous three games and the manager was further impressed by the way his players took to the formation again today.
“I do like it, on paper I think we have the team to do it, I think that allows us to have that extra body in middle of the park and gives us lads up top so we are forsaking a defender.
"Some people see it as a negative but it is not, the way that the lads have taken it on board is that we play with a three and we get the width from our wing backs. I think Ben Purkiss, his eyes lit up, Dicko as well, they have the legs and energy to do it and they really enjoy the challenge I have given them.
"The boys in the middle of the park, Sam Foley, that is his game to a tee, you’ve got a defensive midfielder sat behind two attack minded midfielders and then we’ve got pace up top.
"We thought we could hurt them today by drawing the full back out and getting balls down the side which worked for small parts of the game but it’s a system at the minute that has been working for us and I do like it."
Vale were struck with a blow before the game when Remie Streete was replaced by Adam Yates in the starting line-up minutes before kick-off.
“It was a bit of a blow for us, he’s pulled his hammy (hamstring) in the warm-up so not a great start to the day but one where Yatesy has gone in and done okay and we’ve had to adjust slightly Purks has had to play centre half as opposed to wing back but knowing that we have Yatesy on the bench, who has played that position before certainly helped us."