Manager says the Vale must keep their challenging month of results in context, though he is keen for a response from his side when Exeter City visit Vale Park on Saturday.

• Darrell Clarke | “Important to keep context, but we’re looking for a positive performance”
• Port Vale manager speaks to the press ahead of Saturday’s League One clash with Exeter City at Vale Park
• Clarke: “We look at our points total and over the last three seasons there have been only three teams that have been promoted that have a better points total at this stage of the season than we are on, so we have to put things into context.”

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke says it’s important his side maintain a degree of context when reflecting on recent results as the Valiants look to get back to winning ways on Saturday, when Exeter City visit Vale Park.

Clarke’s side are seven without a win, though five of those matches have come against sides in the top nine in the division.

Speaking to the local press ahead of Saturday’s game, Clarke said:

“We reviewed; we are obviously not on a good run of form but we are just trying to respond in the right way.

“We look at our points total and over the last three seasons there have been only three teams that have been promoted that have a better points total at this stage of the season than we are on, so we have to put things into context.

“We are in a bad run but it’s certainly not a disaster, we are getting strikers back fitter as well, which is obviously going to help our cause. We go tomorrow to try and turn the game into a positive performance.

“I think in the course of football management – and I have managed a lot of games now – you have bad runs, for different reasons, but for me it is about being consistent with your work, keep working away and trying to find solutions to the problems.

“They’re a great bunch to manage, they enthuse me, they care and I won’t be surprised if we get back in the saddle very quickly.”

Clarke handed a debut to loan signing Matty Taylor on Tuesday night against Barnsley, as the Oxford United loanee was introduced as a second-half substitute like Ellis Harrison, who returned from injury.

Added to more match minutes for Jamie Proctor, Clarke says that’s encouraging for his side.

“It was good to have them back,” he added. “Proc got some more minutes under his belt as well, so it is about managing their training minutes and match minutes so they don’t break down, which is important, but it is not rocket science to know that when we have our nines fit, we will obviously pose a lot more threat at the top end of the pitch.”

Giving an update on James Wilson, Clarke continued:

“[James] Wilson is continuing his rehab; he is on straight line running with a little bit of twisting and turning so we will just keep developing on that, the medical team keeps me informed all the way on that, so hopefully only a couple of weeks.”

Clarke changed his goalkeepers on Tuesday night too, handing Aidan Stone a first league start since November’s defeat at Oxford United.

Explaining his thought process, he added:

“Both goalkeepers are very, very similar and Aidan now gets his opportunity to come in. Jack has done reasonably well but I treat my goalkeepers like I do my outfield players with competition for places.

“Aidan did quite well the other night; he kicked it well, distributed well and he has a longer-range kick than Jack, which I think helps on our pitch at times. They will be competing from now until the end of the season for the number one spot.”