Micky expecting another tough game on Saturday
After what has been described as a ‘blip’ last Saturday when the lads were beaten at home by Gillingham, the players and management team have been working hard on defensive responsibilities during the week.
They face another tough game this weekend against a resurgent Bradford City side who are level on points with the Vale and who have a fantastic home record so far.
Micky Adams recognises that mistakes were made last weekend, but that is all water under the bridge now and the team are more concerned with the game at the Coral Windows Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Manager said. “We are obviously disappointed about the events of last week and certainly with the goals we conceded, but they are gone and there is nothing we can do about it now.
“We had chances as well, let’s not forget that, but we didn’t look our usual bright self and to be honest you have got to give Gillingham some credit for that to an extent.
“You have to get back on the training round, learn from your mistakes and be ready for another big game on Saturday.
“As for bouncing back, that’s a sign of a decent team, when you lose a game of football you dust yourself down, learn your lessons and try and respond and the only way you can ever do that is by winning the next game.”
The Vale boss hinted he may make changes following the Gillingham defeat, but that may not be the case, despite resting the likes of Adam yates, Ryan Burge and Ben Williamson from reserve team duties in midweek.
Micky said: “There are options for me, certainly, but we will keep everybody on their toes and guessing. It has been a week of rest and recuperation and a bit of work as well.
“I don’t think that the starting eleven from the last nine games wouldn’t be fresh. They made mistakes certainly, and certain individuals weren’t at their best, but I will have to have a look at that and decide what my options are.
“You are talking about a group of players that have done so well and started the season great, so let’s not get over-excited and overly disappointed with them, you have got to understand that they are human beings and they will make mistakes.
“I can’t decry anything that they have done in the first nine games of the season – they should be applauded rather than vilified and taken out of the team. “
Bradford are unlikely to pull out too many surprises against the Vale, who have done their homework on tomorrow’s opponents.
Micky said: “They are a good side. I took the opportunity to watch them play Burton Albion in the week and whilst they made a number of changes, what they did when they were two-nil down was bring the ‘big guns’ on.
“Reid came on, Hanson came on and Wells came on and it transformed the game for them because Burton couldn’t deal with Hanson.
“They sat deep and Reid in particular looked very, very sharp on the left wing. He got numerous crosses into the box and Burton, with the greatest respect, crumbled.
“I don’t expect us to do that against them, but I said last season that it looked like Phil Parkinson was building a side for promotion.
“Sometimes you have to put building blocks into place to create a side for the next season and an assault on the title and I think looking at his team and his squad, he has done that and it is going to be a hard game.”