Manager frustrated his side couldn’t build on recent performances as the Valiants fail to back up consecutive home wins, falling to 3-2 defeat to Burton Albion.
- Darrell Clarke | “Miles off where our performances have been”
- Port Vale manager speaks to the media following his side’s 3-2 defeat to Burton Albion in League One
- Clarke: “Scoring two goals should win you a home game but we were sloppy at times, a bit naïve at times and we have not produced the quality that we have been.”
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke spoke of his frustration as his side failed to build on their recent positive performances as Burton Albion edged a five-goal clash at Vale Park on Saturday afternoon.
Ellis Harrison’s tenth goal of the season gave Clarke’s side an early lead but a Dale Taylor double and Jonny Smith penalty gave the Brewers a two-goal lead, which was halved late on by Jamie Proctor, though the Valiants couldn’t grab a late equaliser.
Reflecting post-match, Clarke said:
“I thought it was a really poor performance, nothing like our last five games and miles off from where our performance levels have been.
“Scoring two goals should win you a home game but we were sloppy at times, a bit naïve at times and we have not produced the quality that we have been.
“It was [frustrating], especially after how we started the game; we started the game brightly, scored the goal, but I never felt that we got our link up play right today.
“We didn’t win enough battles, enough second balls – which is unlike us to be fair – but we take our medicine, it was a poor performance.
“We have to climb the mountain after conceding so soon after half-time and we huffed and puffed but didn’t get ourselves going today so we have to take that on the chin.
“The penalty looked soft but sometimes they get given; I thought they did what they needed to do to win the game.
“We only have ourselves to blame today; we have to play a lot better than we did today to win a game at League One level.”