Vale 1-0 Coventry reaction: great team effort but Harness was MOTM
Port Vale fans hail a great team effort but single out “man of the match” Marcus Harness for special praise
Match summary
Nathan Smith’s first goal of the season helped Vale record a Boxing Day victory and stretch their unbeaten league run to four games.
Players and management
“It was a very tough game, it was a battle and a scrap. There weren’t many chances, the keepers didn’t have to pull off many saves and, at times you wondered if either team was going to get the breakthrough. But I felt that we deserved to win the game. I felt that, of the two teams, we pushed more for the goal. You would expect that because we were the home team and Coventry would have been happier to take a point…”
Vale manager Neil Aspin
“It was disappointing. It is a difficult place to come because they have some threats in their side, but we were well in the game. It was another chance to go third into the automatic places and we turned it down…”
Coventry manager Mark Robins
Views from the OVF forum
“I thought second half we took over the game and kept coming and deservedly scored after a fine cross and clever header from Smith who played terrifically. My man of the match was Gunning he epitomised what i want to see, he won everything…”
Vale fan in Alsager
“Coventry are one of the better sides in the league and we more than matched them today…”
TylerB
“After recent performances, I think it is important to get Gunning on a much longer contract. He was superb again today…”
Badgerspaws
“The difference in Harness is unbelievable. His tracking back was first class as was his distribution and tackling. No doubt, he his playing with confidence…”
Dr Delgano
“A well deserved win in front of an appreciative crowd, I cant pick a MOM, every one who pulled a shirt on gave their all and as supporters that’s all you can ask…”
Black Dog
“That was some performance. I am eating humble pie tonight because Hairnet and Gunning were just class. Well done lads…”
Beza
“Harness should have been man of the match. I like how Aspin isn’t stubborn and isn’t scared to change things, even making subs at half time/early second half if things aren’t working. I think the 4-2-3-1 suits us much better with Tonge and Kay holding….”
Dave Hartshill
“I thought we were brilliant today. Tactics were spot on and Aspin is proving week in week out how good of a manager he is. Onwards and upwards brilliant Vale. Harness was an easy MOTM for me…”
valiant_593
“Great result that. Clean sheet , and a decent 7,127 crowd as well. Happy Christmas!”
Houston Valiant
“Lost me voice… the back four were superb, Davis improved as game went on, Pugh, wow, what a performance, Gunning, Mmith outstanding while Boot’s handling is looking more assured every game. Harness, well where has his strength come from? Two opposition players bounced off him and he was my MOTM. Whitfield, Pope Kay, Tonge all showed high levels of consistency…”
elav trop 1876
“It’s great to see Harness playing nearer his potential at last…”
Somerset Valiant
“Gunning and Smith impeccable, Harness improving massively and looks confident, Monty added a lot when he came on…”
Hagrid
“Superb result minus three of our top performing players! Aspo has 13 games and 23 points. What a turnaround…”
SFBT
“Terrific win, playing like a team, all played well. I thought Harness was excellent always trying something in the last third and he was everywhere, his confidence is sky high at the moment…”
Paul6754
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