John Askey has called for his players to not let their heads drop, and react to yesterday’s loss quickly with a return to consistency.
Prior to yesterday’s matchup, the Vale were on a run of four wins in all competitions and three away wins on the bounce, seeing them advance in the FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy, and climb to just two points off the Play-Off’s.
However, despite taking the lead via a well worked Jake Taylor goal, the Valiants were brought to defeat in a game that left the gaffer disappointed and wanting more from his players.
In spite of his disappointment from the performance and result, the boss emphasised how it’s key to not let the outcome be more than a blip and seek out an instant reaction in their next game.
Recent performances have pleased Askey, who expressed how if the club wants to see success this campaign they cannot allow for more games like yesterday.
He said: “There was too many players that had an off day today, how we’ve been doing, I suppose I can’t be too hard on them, but if we want to achieve anything then you’re looking for consistency.
“Anyone who plays football knows that you’re going to have ups and downs, and it’s part and parcel of being a footballer, it’s how you respond to that and hopefully it’ll give them a kick up the backside and we move onto the next one.
“The players have been doing well, there’s players that haven’t done so well today but overall, the last 12 games they’ve done well so we shan’t get too carried away, like when we win we don’t get too carried away… we’ve just got to keep working and hopefully we can get back on a run.
“When you lose one you don’t want to back it up again with another loss, so it’s important that we get back at it, hopefully this is just a blip and we can get back on winning ways.”
The next chance for Vale to return to those winning ways is in the FA Cup as they travel to Cheltenham Town in the second round, before returning to league action against Walsall at Vale Park.
Vale are the only team in League Two to remain unbeaten at home this season, and the gaffer admitted that that form will help spur the team on towards another win as they look to climb the table.
The Valiants have had a good history of responding well to defeats this season, winning two and drawing two in their following games, and the boss hopes that will continue and see his side advance to the third round of the FA Cup.
The fan support for away games has impressed Askey all season, and he again commended them for their efforts in yesterday’s match, and he hopes the team will give them plenty to cheer about as the weeks progress.
He said: “Obviously, we’re at home again after the FA Cup game and it’s a great opportunity again to get three points.
“Up until today, our away form had picked up, going into the FA Cup I think you go in a little bit more relaxed because it’s a cup game, and we’ll put everything into that to try and win it.
“They did [the fans sung their hearts out] and then even at the end they’ve stayed and they’ve applauded the players, it’s really appreciated because they played their part, they tried to get behind the players as much as they could and hopefully we can give them a little bit more to shout about in the next few weeks.”