Recent Draws a Plus for Port Vale Despite Winless Run
Back-to-back away draws at relegation rivals Grimsby and Barnet followed by a fighting comeback against Stevenage put Port Vale in a better position to beat the drop despite not managing to win a game in 2018 so far.
Tuesdays 1-1 draw at Barnet saw the Valiants jump four places in the table, showing just how tight it is at the bottom – with five points separating 17th placed Yeovil from Grimsby in 22nd.
And with a six point gap between them and Barnet and Chesterfield below, it is vitally important not to lose against those also in the mix.
So despite a terrible run of games without a win for Neil Aspin’s side, away draws were certainly more advantageous to the Vale than they were to either Grimsby or Barnet, who would have been desperate to pick up the points they need at home to a relegation rival.
A win for Barnet would have seen the Bees only four points adrift and, with possibly the kindest run-in of the sides battling relegation coupled with the return of Martin Allen, would have put them in a position to make the great escape possible.
Obviously a win would have been far more positive for the Vale, but the most important thing was that they didn’t lose.
However, it is understandable that the fans are pessimistic. Grimsby’s last gasp equaliser made the draw on Saturday feel more like a defeat, with the team on the verge of their first three points since the 4-0 thrashing of Luton Town at the end of December.
And after going one down at The Hive after only four minutes to an Alex Nichols tap in, along with and abject first half performance, things looked to be going from bad to worse at the half time interval.
However a much better performance in the second half saw the Burslem-based side get the all-important equaliser.
Performances of late haven’t been particularly impressive – and certainly don’t compare to when Aspin first took over.
However, before the former defender returned the club were deep in relegation trouble, five points adrift in a three way dog fight with Forest Green and Chesterfield.
At that point most fans would have given anything to be in their current position with 10 games to go, and if they can remain tough to break down and pick up a few vital wins at home – starting with Exeter on Tuesday – then Aspin will have delivered what was required.
Despite not winning, Port Vale remain unbeaten in the league at home since 21st November and, with the majority of their games still to play at home, they should be more optimistic about beating the drop. The comeback against Stevenage and the passion and fight that the players showed in the second half demonstrated that the players are 100% fighting for the manager and the club. Let’s just hope we get over the all-important line and stay in League Two.
Then Aspin and his team can rebuild and deliver some kind of consistency on the pitch, despite the off-field circus that precedes it.
words Alex Bettany, D3D4 Port Vale correspondent