Port Vale boss Moore on 'frantic' contest against Carlisle United
Port Vale boss Darren Moore felt his side did not show enough composure in a “frantic” contest against Carlisle United.
The promotion-chasing Valiants had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Mike Williamson’s battling Blues.
Moore’s side, who remained second in the table, failed to get better of the 24th-placed Cumbrians on a blustery afternoon at Vale Park.
And the home manager admitted it was a game that called for calmer heads than was the case as things unfolded.
“It seemed to me on the pitch it was a frantic game by both teams, real frantic,” said Moore.
“Lots of transitions, lots of ball giveaways by both teams and in the end, both teams not being able to capitalise in the final third.
“With us being the home team, it's probably more of a frustration with us.
“I’ve said to the players that probably the biggest thing I would have liked to have understood at the time was some of our decision-making when it just called for a bit of composure and a bit of relaxedness.
“Especially when we got into the final third, it just seemed that it was all rushed and a bit frantic.
“But the thing is we finished the year here at home and made sure we didn't lose the game. It's another clean sheet.
“Whenever it's 0-0 it gives us a chance to win the game, so we've got to move on, we have to take whatever positives we can and make sure that we carry it forward.”
The promotion-chasers could not find a way past Gabe Breeze and United (Image: Richard Parkes)
Some home fans booed at both half-time and full-time as Vale came up short against the Cumbrians.
That was in contrast to the 661 travelling fans who gave United vocal backing all game.
“I don't mind it,” said Moore of the reaction, “because it means that there's hope in the place and there’s more hope in the team.
“I take that as a compliment. The Vale fans know that there's more to come from the team and what we have to do is find that performance to give them.”
Moore also suggested visiting sides like Carlisle are now coming to Vale Park with a more defensive mindset, given his own team’s qualities.
“We are finding that opposition are changing tack against us – they are trying to condense us, sitting deep and getting men behind the ball.
“That's because they need the result as well and sometimes I take it as a compliment for us in terms of where we are and what we have to do to find ways around it.”
Moore said he expects Port Vale’s next opponents, Bradford City on Boxing Day, to be more attack-minded than Carlisle were.
“It’s a different game [to this one] where we face a team that will come at us from the off,” he added.
“Whereas [here] we faced a team – and rightly so – making sure that they didn't give much away, and trying to play their football to try and counter-attack us at the pitch.”
END OF YEAR SALE: Get unlimited access to our Carlisle United coverage for £25 for all of 2025 or £6 for 6 months - click HERE
