Port Vale: Micky Adams set to bring in loan recruit to help boost fragile confidence

MICKY Adams is preparing to bring in reinforcements to help revive Port Vale's faltering push for promotion.

The Vale boss has been given the go-ahead to bring in a fresh face in time for tomorrow's game against Bradford City.

Chairman Paul Wildes refused to name the player, but said the deal was almost done.

He also revealed that a second new arrival could be on their way to Vale Park.

"We're very close to agreeing a loan," he said last night.

"Micky feels there's a need to freshen things up and we've been looking around.

"We have a good squad, so finding players who would add to what we've got hasn't been easy.

"But there's no denying some of our players aren't in form at the moment and we think bringing someone in who perhaps has that bit of confidence can help the team get back to where they were."

Wildes said confirmation of the loan deal, which will run until the end of the season, would depend on "logistics", but was confident it would be completed today.

"There might be another one at some point, but we'll wait and see on that," he added.

The move comes in the wake of Vale's 2-1 defeat at Oxford United on Saturday, their third loss in four matches.

With crucial home games against Bradford and Southend this week, Adams is urging Vale fans to help get their team back on track.

"It's going to be a test of character for us and we need the fans behind us," he said.

"There's a lot of negativity around Vale Park at the moment and that's not going to help anybody, so we need the supporters to be our 12th man right now.

"It's not about individuals, it's about the team, and if the fans can give us 100 per cent, I'm sure we can bounce back."

Adams admits there's been a loss of confidence among his squad, but believes they can recover quickly.

"We need to grind out a result," he added. "We've got to show a bit of resolve. If we do that to a man, we'll be fine.

"We've lost another game, and we need to get it out of our system as quickly as we can. The only way we can do that is by beating Bradford."

Vale remain second in League Two, still five points clear of the play-off zone.

But they have taken just four points from their last five games, a run which has left Adams scratching his head.

"I don't recognise some of the players right now," he said. "There's no denying some are playing without confidence.

"They've had enough pats on the back all year and I'll always defend them because that's my job, but they've got to look at themselves at the moment and ask are they doing enough.

"We've had an open and frank discussion, as you always do whether you win or you lose.

"We're in the eye of the storm at the moment and it's difficult, but it's just a blip.

"We've shown enough quality this season to suggest we'll come through it. We'll do that and we'll be better for it."

Darren Purse made a mess of a back pass at the Kassam Stadium to gift Oxford a first-half lead.

Doug Loft levelled the score soon after with a spectacular shot, but Deane Smalley then struck a second-half winner to end Vale's run of nine games unbeaten away from home.

"I was pleased with the first-half performance, despite gifting them a goal," said Adams, "but we wanted a high tempo in the second half and didn't get it. Instead, we sat back and invited pressure. I can't say we didn't deserve to lose."

Match action: Pages 42&43