Crosby sees “shoots” of recovery as Vale look to bounce back from poor run
Port Vale manager Andy Crosby says that he sees green “shoots” of recovery as he looks for his side to use their cup form to help them turn around a poor League run.
It’s been a topsy-turvy season for the Valiants as they suffered a 7-0 opening day defeat, a nine match unbeaten run, cup runs and most recently – a winless League run.
How I deliver that and how they accept that are two different things but I want them to be able to say the gaffer was always honest with me, whether I liked it or not…
The manager told the BBC: “I think we’re still at the shoots stage now. We’re still in that infancy. Were there shoots in that first part of the season? Of course and there’s still only shoots now but hopefully the grass is longer now and the turf’s a bit thicker.”
Crosby felt the opening day thrashing was a wake-up call adding: “It was a bit of a freak. But they were ruthless and we certainly didn’t defend to the level that was required – it was a ‘welcome to League One’ for everyone.
“There were pleasing things about that game but it’s very hard to come out and say that when you’ve been pumped 7-0. We had a really good conversation on that Monday and moved on. The support for us throughout the whole group and club was immense.”
Crosby says he is still learning and honesty will be his policy commenting: “I’ve been an assistant manager for a long time. You prepare yourself for what you think the ups and downs of this job are. You’re tying to find that balance between not getting too high or too low with a win or loss.
“My message to the players when I first took over was that I was going to be 100% honest.
“How I deliver that and how they accept that are two different things but I want them to be able to say the gaffer was always honest with me, whether I liked it or not.
“I want them to be the best they possibly can. If we can improve all the players and grow as a club it probably means I’m being a more successful manager.”