“They’ll turn it around” – the managers’ reaction to Cheltenham Town 3-2 Port Vale

New Port Vale manager Darren Moore and former Vale boss Darrell Clarke gave their reactions to the media after the Robins defeated the Valiants on Saturday afternoon.

Nathan Smith opened the scoring before Matty Taylor equalise. Vale took the lead for a second time before a strong second-half performance saw the home side go ahead and secure the points.

---

Darren Moore

I thought we had a really good start to the game, pegged Cheltenham back and deservedly got our noses in front. There was nothing given in the first-half and then I thought there was a needless foul just before half time and they capitalised on that and scored the goal. So, we went in all square when we probably felt we had done enough to go in with our noses in front.

In the second-half again we threw caution to the wind. I thought we had to start the second half really bright. We got up the pitch with a counter and Chissy (Ethan Chislett) did really well to play the ball across and their boy stuck it in the back of the net.

We go 2-1 in front and then there was a decision given as a corner when it should have been a throw in. They capitalised on that and scored their second then the third came when we just misjudged the flight of the ball into our box, didn’t see the attacking player on our blind side and conceded.

We tried to change things around, changed the shape. I thought in the latter parts of the game we dominated and had a couple of half-chances to try to salvage something from the game. There were positives in the game – scoring two goals away from home and the substitutions making a good impact. But the disappointing things are to concede three goals in the manner we did.

It showed we have some real good work to do with the players in terms of the mentality. The commitment and endeavour was there but certainly our mindset has to be stronger when we do get our noses in front to control the game better.

---

Darrell Clarke

I enjoyed a lot about our performance, to come from behind twice in the game was testament to the character of the group. It’s in a strong place at the minute.

It was a battle, second-ball game, hustle and bustle. Blackpool were more technical, possession based but they didn’t really cause us any problems.

Port Vale caused us more problems and Darren will go in there and turn them around, make no bones about that. He’s a top class manager and a top class guy. They’ll turn it around and I am sure they’ll get the rhythm.

---