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Interviews

Neil Aspin - "It's essential we get another game and get Saturday out our system"

12 February 2018

Interviews

Neil Aspin - "It's essential we get another game and get Saturday out our system"

12 February 2018

Manager Neil Aspin has stressed the importance of tomorrow evening's fixture against Exeter City, and is looking to put the faults from Saturday's defeat right.

The Valiants suffered a heavy loss at the weekend, losing 5-1 away from home to Cheltenham Town. A Tom Pope penalty early in the first half brought the score level at 1-1, but a disappointing second half saw Vale concede three goals in the space of 20 minutes.

Despite the the Valiants facing Exeter tomorrow evening at Vale Park, the gaffer refuses to "sweep a bad performance under the carpet".

"I'm not trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes. We have to get on with the next game, we have to try and put those faults right and we've got to get on with the next game.

"It was disappointing Saturday, a very difficult day. Certainly I didn't see that coming in the way we started the game in which we were playing the first half, and the way we started the second half.

"Individual errors, really bad errors, and then a really poor 20 minute spell, as poor as I've seen probably since I've been a manager."

Character is something the players are going to have to show according to the gaffer, not just for himself but for the fans who he understands deserve a lot better. 

Neil will be forced to rotate the squad ahead of tomorrow evenings fixture against Exeter City. Midfielder Luke Hannant, who joined the club in January and has hit the ground running since is a major doubt, the manager confirmed after suffering a foot injury against Cheltenham at the weekend.

Anthony Kay is also suspended for two matches after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season, and Neil Aspin says the team will miss his leadership and experience.

"You only have to look at Saturday. He might not have been having a brilliant game, but when he was off it certainly highlighted without him and Michael Tongue on the pitch, a lack of leadership.

"In that central area I thought we were like headless chickens for the last 20 minutes. Players may be on the back end of their careers but they still have a lot to offer in terms of know how.

"Luke had a knock on Saturday early on and did well to continue. It's one of those that takes time, you need time to get the player fit. We've got to leave it as late as possible but he's obviously a big doubt for tomorrow's game" Neil added.

The Valiants will be hoping to put secure their first three points in over a month. Neil Aspin says it hurts when the team don't get the results, but is optimistic they can grab all three points tomorrow "if the team cut out individual errors and everyone puts in their maximum".


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