Manager apologises to travelling supporters as the Valiants defeated at Accrington Stanley.
- Darrell Clarke | “I take full responsibility – we have to show character on Monday”
- Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke reflects on his side’s 3-0 defeat at Accrington Stanle
- Clarke: “We have to regroup because, like I said to the players, actions speak louder than words in these situations, when you are on the run that we are on.”
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke apologised and took responsibility for the Valiants’ performance and defeat at Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Clarke’s side were well-beaten at the Wham Stadium and the manager said only actions – not words – will eradicate the Vale’s run of results in League One.
“Firstly, I apologise to our tremendous away support – they didn’t deserve a performance like that and I take full responsibility because it is my team, my squad of players,” Clarke said.
“As a manager, you take the plaudits when things are going well and things aren’t going very well at all at the minute, and I take full responsibility for that.
“You naturally feel disappointed that we have let people down, so there is a flatness from that and we go home and assess and realise that tough times don’t last, tough people do.
“This is where you find out what people are really made of; it is easy when things are going well and I have managed numerous games now and it hasn’t always gone well. We have to regroup and certainly be a hell of a lot better than we were this afternoon.
“You can see the confidence in the players is draining and it is up to myself and the staff to pick that up and go again on Bank Holiday Monday.
“We have to regroup because like I said to the players, actions speak louder than words in these situations, when you are on the run that we are on.
“I want to see character, mentality and togetherness because it is easy to be together when things are going well. I don’t want any finger pointing, I take the responsibility and we need to make sure we regroup and show that togetherness.”