Port Vale 1-0 Exeter City reaction – “We needed to get back to winning ways and we did that…”
Reaction to Port Vale’s 1-0 win over Exeter City at Vale Park from Darrell Clarke, Gary Caldwell and matchwinner Will Forrester.
Darrell Clarke
On the game…
The result was the main thing; we needed to get back to winning ways and we did that. I thought we were the better team when it was 11 v 11 as well. It was a little bit nervy at the end when they tried to throw everything forwards but the lads held on well and it is a good three points.
On his half-time team talk…
We told the lads to keep going, keep being confident in what we are trying to do. We were looking for that one bit of quality in the final third, a bit of good play and we got that with the goal. It was (important to score straight after the red card) because sometimes games can get frustrating on our surface, they’re a man down and we have to get that goal and we got it after 20 seconds. We saw it through comfortably; I don’t think they had a shot on target for Stoney to save all game, so I am pleased with the result.
On Will Forrester’s performance…
I thought Will’s performance was very good; he stepped in well and there were a few good performances out there, so that was pleasing. Petty did well, Sammy Robinson too, Matty Taylor up top you could see the quality he brings with his calmness, composure and know-how at the right time. I thought him and Gav worked really hard as a front two, Ben Garrity too. There were a lot of good performances out there. It was by no means the prettiest but we did what we need to do. It is always good to get a clean sheet, we have been conceding too many goals just recently so to get back to the basics of the game keeping a clean sheet gives us a platform to win a game.
Gary Caldwell
On Harper’s red card…
I didn’t think the first was a foul, never mind a booking, And the second was soft. I don’t know how others didn’t get booked and there was a horrendous tackle of theirs that went unnoticed.
On Exeter’s performance…
I didn’t think the ref was great but we have to look at ourselves first. We have to be better in that moment and see out at least a minute of football to get the subs on and disappointing from the free-kick they went straight up the end and scored. If it was still 0-0 we could have frustrated them.
Will Forrester
On the result…
It was really pleasing to get the three points; we have had a few games without a win so it feels nice to finally get the win and I think we thoroughly deserved it, especially first half – I thought we played some good stuff, stuck together and saw the game out. 1-0s are probably the best wins; clean sheet, a little scrappy goal for myself, but they’re the best wins for me!
On his goal…
I was delighted to score; I thought it was a good team move, finished off with the goal. The way in which we play, the centre backs like to overlap so I want to add goals or assists and set pieces I want to be a threat and try and score more goals.
On the defence…
In the last few games we have conceded far too many goals; it was nice to keep the clean sheet and go on to win the game. It is something we always work on as a defensive unit; you want to try and keep the ball out of the net as much as possible, so it is something we work on all the time and we want to keep getting better.