Only ourselves to blame – Andy Crosby on Port Vale’s draw with Rochdale
Port Vale assistant manager Andy Crosby says the draw against Rochdale was a “totally different feeling” to the point gained against Tranmere.
On Saturday, Vale forced a point with a late equaliser only for the reverse to happen on Tuesday as Rochdale equalised with virtually the last kick of the game.
We walk away from tonight with a totally different emotion and only ourselves to blame. We didn’t deal with the one moment they had in the whole game…
Speaking to the media, Crosby said: “It absolutely feels very different. We walk away from Tranmere on Saturday with a well-deserved point, sometimes when you score them late it feels like a win. The bounce it gives the dressing room was immense.
“But we walk away from tonight with a totally different emotion and only ourselves to blame. We didn’t deal with the one moment they had in the whole game.”
Crosby paid tribute to his players for the Vale goal which was scored when the side switched to Chris Hussey for corner duties. Crosby said: “We were totally in charge of the game, we bossed the game both with the ball and without the ball and they had no threat throughout the game.
“We scored a well worked corner in the first half. Massive credit to the players for taking responsibility. If you watch Gibbo taking corners in the first half and it looked like he was climbing up step ladders up the side of the pitch to take it. So, the players have used the initiative there and changed the corner taker. It was a really good header from Ben.
“And then that gets us in control coming in at half-time. We have had chances then maybe to make it 2-0 and take the game away from them.”
Crosby also singled out Connor Hall for praise adding: “Connor Hall was fantastic. He was ill on Sunday and he wasn’t in yesterday, I thought his performance was aggressive, he was on the front foot, he was winning headers, he was good with the ball.
“I think he has settled into the football club incredibly well. His performance was good.”