We’ll be there to support him – Andy Crosby backs Jesse Debrah after sending-off

Port Vale manager Andy Crosby said defender Jesse Debrah is “going to be a fantastic player” and the club will help him get over the setback of seeing red on his full debut.

The 22 year-old was signed on the 18th September and had made two sub appearances for the side before being handed his full debut on Tuesday night.

However, the defender looked devasted as he was dismissed before the break for two yellow cards.

Jesse Debrah’s going to be a fantastic player for this football club. What an absolute top-top guy. He’s got amazing attributes and he’ll learn from it without a shadow of doubt and we’ll be there to support him…

Crosby told the media: “I’m not sure of his (the referee) behind the first yellow card, for coming together down the side of the box it appeared from the bench, and I think it’s a really cheap yellow card.

“Jesse Debrah’s going to be a fantastic player for this football club. What an absolute top-top guy. He’s got amazing attributes and he’ll learn from it without a shadow of doubt and we’ll be there to support him.

“Obviously he was really disappointed at half-time but we’ll look after him and we’ll back him.”

Crosby’s immediate support of his player following an error is in marked contrast to opposing boss Joey Barton who earned criticism from fans for rounding on Luke Thomas after Saturday’s defeat to Peterborough.

In contrast to Crosby’s mentoring approach Barton, who never seemed far away from a controversial comment or moment himself, called Thomas an “idiotic young boy” on Sunday. Barton was in typically bullish mood as he brushed aside the controversy to say “It hasn’t been ideal preparation from Saturday into the game today (which he may recall was caused by his own comments). We’ve had a bit of nonsense to clear out.”