Port Vale 0-2 Barrow: an awful Boxing Day performance saw struggling Port Vale lose to Barrow at Vale Park.
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Manager John Askey made two changes with Adam Crookes replacing Leon Legge, who dropped to the bench, while Danny Whitehead replaced Tom Conlon who had tested positive for coronavirus.
An awful first-half performance saw the Valiants concede once again as former Vale loanee Scott Quigley got the better of Nathan Smith and beat Scott Brown on 22 minutes. In contrast, Vale could barely muster an effort on target with Devante Rodney probably going closest early on.
John Askey brought on David Amoo for the anonymous Whitehead at the break but to no avail as the Valiants conceded a second minutes into the second-half. Once again terrible defending was to blame as Brough netted from close range.
Vale brought on striker Theo Robinson as they threw on more forwards but it made little difference. Fellow sub Amoo was looking dangerous but the visitors came closest to scoring again as Quigley forced a good save from Brown and Josh Kay also had another chance when he was left unmarked.
It was a dreadful performance from the Vale. They failed to create any clear cut chances and yet looked terribly brittle at the back where they could have arguably conceded more than the two goals they did this afternoon. It’s tricky to pick out any Vale player who had a good game although Amoo, Rodney and Hurst all had a few bright periods during the ninety minutes. The defence is a huge concern as it looks likely to concede at any moment.
Vale’s form has fallen right away and on this showing they now need to make sure they don’t get dragged into the League Two relegation zone. On this form, that could be a tough task and it could be a busy January transfer window for the club if they are to change their fortunes.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-2 Barrow
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Port Vale: Brown – Mills, Smith, Crookes, Fitzpatrick – Joyce, Whitehead (Amoo), Burgess – Rodney, Pope, Hurst (Robinson)
Subs: Visser, Brisley, Bailey, McKirdy, Legge
That was probably the worst performance of the season Smith has been awful the last few games I think we need some new blood especially with all the injuries. Or is it Askey seems that he may have hit a brick wall
Worst performance of the season, it confirmed that if our strongest 11 are not on the pitch then we are not good enough. There were 5 first choice outfield player not available today and it showed. We definitely missed Gibbo, Monty, Manny, Conlon and Wozza and I think had they been on then we would have won the game. The upcoming matches against Bradford, Mansfield and Grimsby are massive, lose those and we are in big trouble.