Vale boss Micky Adams much happier with the second half performance
Boss Micky Adams was of course pleased with the win that took Vale back to the top of the table on Saturday, but he admits the opening forty-five minutes was a little frustrating.
He said: “The first half was disappointing – too many players were having too many touches on the ball, running in straight lines, not getting it in to the front men as quickly as we should have done.
“Consequently Accrington stuck men behind the ball and made it very difficult for us, but you would expect that from a team that is down to ten men.
“We didn’t have enough width either and when you have got a team that is running up and down in straight lines you have got no chance.
“You really need to mix your play up and we sorted that out at half time – our wingers came off the line and played, which allowed our full backs to get forward.
“I had the midfield players making runs, I had them having less touches of the ball and consequently we have got our rewards.
Despite a frustrating first half of the game for Lee Hughes on his home debut, the former Notts County man grabbed himself two second half goals to take his tally to three in three games for the Valiants.
Adams said: “In the first half Lee was snatching at a few things and he was not really as clinical as I have seen him before against my teams.
“I just had a quiet word with him at half time just to settle himself down and watch the ball and the one thing you don’t doubt about Lee is if you give him enough chances he is going to score goals.
“Whilst we were disappointed that he didn’t take any chances in the first half, he was very clinical in the second half.
Another player to find the net on his home debut was central defender Darren Purse, but as far as the manager was concerned the goal was merely a bonus.
“He has gone up there for a set-piece, Lofty has hit a great shot, the ‘keeper has parried it and Darren has stuck it away so that’s great for him.
“More importantly from his perspective is he has kept a clean sheet and we’ve not done that too many times this season
“He can feel proud of himself that he has been in a back four, along with our ‘keeper, that has done that.”