Assistant manager Dave Kevan says the team has been left ‘frustrated’ after Port Vale’s time in the Carabao Cup came to an end at the hands of Burton Albion.
The Valiants suffered a 2-1 defeat against the League One side last night at Vale Park. After falling behind early on, Mark Cullen equalised from the penalty spot at the start of the second half to get his first goal in a Vale shirt, but Scott Fraser’s tap in 10 minutes later won it for the Brewers.
In front of a crowd of just over 2000 fans, the Vale were punished for their sloppy start to the game by Luke Boyce, who tapped home from close range to give Burton the lead with nine minutes on the clock.
Kevan said it was disappointing to see the Vale make a slow start to the game which allowed the visitors to “capitalise”, but the Valiants failed to let the opening stages of the game affect their overall game plan as they pushed the League One side.
Opportunities were limited at times for the Vale but when they did crop up, John Askey’s side couldn’t take advantage of them, something Kevan feels the team must do better.
“We’ve had a lot of positives but there’s been a little bit of frustration as well. Saturday was a frustrating afternoon in terms of feeling like we did enough in the second half.
“Tonight again we felt at times we were in the ascendency but just didn’t really capitalise on it. Whether that be poor selection of delivery, pass or good goalkeeping.
“The signs are there that we’re going to give teams a right game and if we’re always in the game then you’ve always got a chance of winning it.”
A team that the Vale will look to “give a right game” to will be the new boys on the block, Salford City, who the Vale will face for the first time in the club’s history this coming Saturday.
The Valiants head into the fixture unbeaten in the league so far after two games but looking for their first win of the season, having picked up two draws against Colchester United and Northampton Town.
Tickets for the fixture sold out within two days of going on sale, with fans queuing up down Hamil Road to secure themselves a ticket. With 1400 fans heading to Salford on Satuday, Kevan says the sold out away end will be a huge boost for the players.
“It’s a massive help to the lads and the lads appreciate so much as we all do. To have that sort of backing and following is just tremendous.
“We’ll do all we can to put a good show on for them and make them proud of their team.”