Port Vale: Adams cautious over play-off chances
MICKY Adams couldn't hide his delight at last night's 2-1 home win against Bradford City, but remains cautious over his side's play-off chances.
Vale trailed to Robbie Threlfall's free-kick, but second-half strikes from Marc Richards and Rob Taylor saw them bounce back from Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Northampton.
Their sixth victory in 18 League Two home games lifts them two places to 11th – six points adrift of the play-offs.
But with 11 games remaining, Adams is refusing to look too far ahead as his side turn their attention to Saturday's trip to promotion-chasing Chesterfield.
"We're not going to talk about the play-offs, it's about taking it one game at a time and let's see how far that takes us," warned Adams.
"The first target as far as I'm concerned is 54 points to ensure we don't get relegated.
"I was absolutely delighted with the win and performance.
"The frustrating thing is our inconsistency.
"Everybody can see we have quality and I think our application was spot-on from the first whistle.
"We went a goal down, but I told the players at half-time not to let Bradford's goal affect them and to keep going.
"I'm pleased for the fans, because we've not had too many home wins this season.
"We haven't deserved to lose some home games and to grind this result out says a lot about the team's character."
Taylor came to Vale's rescue last night after Threlfall handed Bradford an early lead with an excellent free-kick.
But Taylor, who was recalled to Vale's starting line-up, set up Richards's leveller just after the break before his 79th-minute deflected effort sealed three crucial points.
"Everybody can see Rob possesses that sort quality in front of goal," added Adams.
"It's the other part of his game he needs to work on.
"But Rob doesn't realise what he's got – he's got pace and trickery and when he clicks consistently he'll be a player.
"Until that happens we've got to be patient with him."
VALE'S reserve team continue their totesport.com league campaign at Shrewsbury today (2pm).
Match report: Pages 50&51
4 Comments
by Darren, Manchester
Saturday, March 13 2010, 1:38PM
“i was slated the other week for saying play-off talk was ridiculous, however i stand by that with games versus nearly all the top 6 to come,, really hard run in,, but Adams has sorted this rag tag bunch into a half decent team though frustratingly inconsistent,, next season i am convinced good times lie ahead,, automatic promotion should be the aim with a full pre-season with the players”
by jeff, middleport
Thursday, March 11 2010, 11:00AM
“So glad Micky Adams is at our club. This guy will bring the good times back. No other manager out there could of done any better that Micky has done. Come on the vale.”
by kev, biddulph
Thursday, March 11 2010, 10:06AM
“Agreed Richard, no chance of the play-offs unless we can win the rest of our games and have a decent run but when was the last time that happened! We still live in hope though and after Tuesdays cracking fightback we have a chance of a miracle! Micky Adams has done a superb job this year wherever we end up, but as we keep saying every season, next year is the year!!”
by Richard, Sutton in Ashfield
Thursday, March 11 2010, 8:36AM
“Lets face, there are no play off chances. Lets just win all the home games from now to the end of the season to give the supporters some value for money and sell some season tickets for next year.”