“Shooting boots weren’t on” – Moore laments familiar Port Vale failings after loss to Northampton
It won’t come as any surprise to Port Vale fans to hear manager Darren Moore lamenting the fact the side didn’t take its chances against Northampton Town on Easter Monday.
We just weren’t able to capitalise. But our shooting boots weren’t on. That’s all over the pitch…
Supporters had slammed the January transfer window business under former director of football David Flitcroft which had left the squad paper-thin upfront. It was a familiar tale on Monday as Ethan Chislett spurned two first-half chances and sub Uche Ikpeazu, still returning to fitness, spurned one in the second-half. It meant the game ended in a 2-0 loss.
The problems with Vale’s forwards were obvious on Monday – talented Baylee Dipepa is not experienced enough, Ryan Loft is not prolific enough, Uche Ikpeazu is not fit enough and James Wilson is not available enough.
Speaking to the media after the game Moore said: “When I got in at half time, I just said to the boys we had to be more ruthless in the final third. The chances had been there for us and would be there again in the second-half.
“We put them on the back foot for a 15-20 minute spell in the second-half but we just weren’t able to capitalise. But our shooting boots weren’t on. That’s all over the pitch.”