Port Vale fell to an FA Cup third round defeat away to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Vale went there with high hopes, as well as a new manager as Michael Brown was taking charge of only his third game at the helm at Vale Park.
Brown had earned four points and kept two clean sheets in his previous two games as manager, and was looking to continue in the same vein of form away at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Brown spoke exclusively to Valiant PlayerHD after the game about his teams performance in the defeat: “I thought the boys worked to the game plan in the first half and we limited their chances. Unfortunately we went on to concede, but the game plan was to keep it tight until 65 minutes so we could then try and push on.”
The 39-year old was pleased with his teams performance, and is aware of what his League One side are missing, in comparison to their Championship opponents: “You see on the pitch that we are still a bit light physically and we struggle to keep up with the tempo.
He continued: “Once they brought a few of their better players on it got harder, and once they were in the lead as well their morale increased which proves more difficult.”
Furthermore, Brown was quick to praise the job that his opposite number; David Wagner had done in his time in West Yorkshire so far: “Let’s not forget that they have had a long time putting that Huddersfield team together, and they have two teams that can interlink making all the changes possible. So that is what we were up against, they have a fantastic squad.”
But for us it was a lesson on being hard to beat and showing what sort of level you need to be at to challenge at a top level, and we can see what we are short,” he added.
As for the 1,508 travelling Valiants, their efforts did not go unnoticed from the Vale boss: “Fantastic support again, it is just a shame that we have come away with the four goals against.”
Vale return to league action this coming weekend as they prepare for the visit of MK Dons, and will be looking to take all three points.