Port Vale: Micky Adams backs John McCombe after Northampton red card
MICKY Adams is backing defender John McCombe over the tackle which left Northampton striker Alex Nicholls with a broken leg.
The Port Vale boss insisted the centre-half's sliding challenge was a genuine attempt to play the ball.
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Port Vale's John McCombe was sent off for his tackle on Northampton striker Alex Nicholls.
• GALLERY: Match Action: Northampton Town 2 Port Vale 0
McCombe was shown a straight red after a last-gasp bid to prevent Nicholls from putting the Cobblers ahead.
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It left the former Walsall front man, who scored anyway, needing an operation on a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula, but Adams said McCombe was genuinely sorry.
"John is distraught over the incident," he said. We all know about him and there's no way he's a malicious player."
Adams said all his thoughts were now with Nicholls.
"I feel for the lad and everyone connected with Port Vale wishes him all the best in his recovery," he added.
Adams reckoned the 20th-minute incident, which left Vale both a goal and a man down, changed the course of the game.
Northampton scored a second through Louis Moult before half-time and when Gareth Owen, making his first start of the season, was forced off with injury at half-time, there was no way back.
"We're very much up against it after the sending off," said Adams. "The game changed on that and it all went wrong for us."
Owen has a severe dead-leg and was taken to hospital after the game. The extent of his injury will be further assessed today."
The manager, however, refused to be drawn on the performance of referee Richard Clark.
The Northumberland official got several big decisions wrong and gave McCombe a red card when yellow would have perhaps sufficed.
"I don't want to have a go at refs because all that does is cost me money," said Adams.
Comments
by warrenpark
Thursday, November 01 2012, 1:47PM
“McCombe performed a tackle / block that involved going to ground and is recognised to have some risk. When that risk arises he has to face the punishment correctly issued of a red card. I don't think McCombe is a dirty player - as a centre half expected to make tackles - and this was just ill judged - trying hard for the team - and had a very unfortunate outcome. He should feel sorry but move on in life.”
by ValiantFosse
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 12:22PM
“PVFCin Lincs, things have to be taken in context, if you were not at the game it can be difficult to judge. seeing a video is not the same because the ending is known. Of course we have idiots at our games, whose prime objective is not to watch the game, the only solution is to take our own stewards who would be able to spot them, and weed them out.”
by PVFCinLincs
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 12:00PM
“ValiantFosse, Clint is on a crusade by the looks of things - see other thread in the senile.
However, I do agree with him on some things that a minority of not true Vale fans did with social phone sites and hopefully the police will do something about this. But doubt it.
But as for saying McCoombe should be ashamed of himself, is over the top. The player was and is now receiving help to overcome this accident and that is what their players/managers are saying it was - just an accident. Their players who have played with and against McCoombe have come out and said he is not that type of player to go out and injure another player. He was as shocked and saddened by the injury as anyone.
Radio Sjoke even said the fans were booing the referee and not the player lying on the floor receiving treatment. They dont usually support the Vale in that way normally.”
by ValiantFosse
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 10:04AM
“Clint, I and others say " Were you there?" Did you see McCombe`s reaction? Of course there were mindless idiots or people who were not aware of the situation, but that is a different issue, the booing was mainly directed at the referee when he was talking to McCombe.”
by Clint
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 4:30PM
“Absolute nonsense - it was a clear RED CARD awful reckless tackle that may well have cost a fellow professional his livelihood. McCombe should be thoroughly ashamed of himself, as should the Vale fans who booed a seriously injured man. Disgusting behaviour.”