John Askey stays positive after defeat in first match in charge of Port Vale

Posted Sunday, February 10, 2019 by PA

John Askey saw positives in Port Vale’s performance despite defeat at Cambridge in his first game in charge.

David Amoo sealed a 1-0 win for the U’s with his third goal in as many home games.

The hosts have now won four of their last five matches and they leapfrogged Port Vale by climbing to 19th in League Two, two points above the Valiants and seven above the relegation zone.

“There’s things to work on but I couldn’t knock the players’ effort,” Askey said. “I thought they worked really hard.

“I’m obviously disappointed that we’ve not come away with something. I thought we started the game really well and created one or two chances.

“I’ve seen the goal again that Tom (Pope) scored and that was onside, it wasn’t offside so we’re disappointed that that didn’t count, and he had a chance earlier. We should have been two up before they scored.

“The longer the game went on, I thought we were going to nick one and right at the end, even last kick of the match, Nathan Smith has had a good chance to score. It fell to the wrong person, I’m afraid.

“The pleasing thing is we had one or two decent chances. On another day they go in and it’s a different game.

“Cambridge are a side that are on the up a little bit, the results have shown that over the last few weeks but we more than matched them. If we can keep working as we’re doing we’ll be fine.”

Colin Calderwood spoke highly of the determined display his Cambridge side produced to secure their victory.

“They really tested us in lots of ways, so it was gritty more than great,” Calderwood reflected after the game.

“There were moments, certainly when we were against the wind in the first half, we had some nice movements. It was difficult conditions, difficult to get the ball under control and get settled. It became a scrap for us.

“I thought the opposition really tested us and played well, and the threat of Pope gave them a great focal point as we had with Jabo (Ibehre). He brought us into the game really.

“It’s probably these situations that (help you) gain confidence, the team and supporters of the club. It certainly helps, whatever your situation of chasing a promotion or getting out of trouble, you need a sprinkling of these types of games that go for you.

“I was delighted we’ve kept a clean sheet and I think we should view the positives of that, which was an excellent goalkeeping display, and what happened in front of him was wholehearted, committed and a credit to them as professionals.”