“Decimated” – Andy Crosby says Vale picked up two long-term injuries during defeat to Posh

Port Vale manager says two more players added to growing long-term injury list as he also bemoans the side’s lack of cutting edge.

The Valiants conceded an early goal after a defensive mix-up and had claims for a penalty controversially turned down. The 1-0 result meant that Vale are now seven games without a win and five without scoring.

Summing up the game, Crosby told the media: “The effort, the application, the commitment (was good). We seem to be saying the same thing when we get into the final third. We couldn’t get that goal.”

The manager was also disappointed with the decisive goal, which was the result of a mix-up between Gavin Massey and Connor Ripley, adding: “It’s a really poor goal to concede.”

However, he refused to blame the officials saying that Vale have had some luck earlier in the season. He said: “I have to be consistent. You see some decisions go for you, some go against you. I haven’t seen the incident back. Difficult job (to be an official). We got a letter this morning apologising, saying we should have got two penalties on Saturday. But we didn’t get them so we move on.”

Crosby opted for both Josh Thomas and Uche Ikpeazu upfront in the second-half and said he would consider a change of tactics, saying: “Of course it’s an option for us to play two upfront. It has to be.”

But the manager bemoaned the club’s mounting injury list saying: “It looks like we’ve lost two more players to long-term injury. The squad is being decimated at the moment. Kofi (Balmer is) a hamstring. Not quite sure on Mitch (Clark) but he’s obviously in a lot of pain.”

If Clark and Balmer are out for a period of time then they join Conor Grant, James Wilson, Tom Conlon and Alex Iacovitti on the sidelines while forwards Ryan Loft and Uche Ikpeazu are also both short of match fitness.