Vale slumped to their 14th defeat of the season in gale force conditions at Bloomfield Road.
We have now taken just one point from the last fifteen available, and scored just two goals in that time – neither from open play.
The usual problems were evident again today. No creativity in the midfield, no imagination in the final third and no cutting edge in front of goal. Akpo Sodje was isolated on his own up front, and struggled to hold the ball. Ross Gardner proved for the second consecutive game that he is not the answer to our problems out on the right.
Vale were again without Danny Sonner and Leon Constantine. The latter is all set to sign for Barnsley on Monday following a medical.
Vale started the game with the wind behind them, and although shading the first half, couldn’t muster any real penetration. Whitaker went close with a couple of long range efforts, but as usual we were slow and ponderous with our build up play and reluctant to get crosses into the box.
Scott Vernon had Blackpools best chance of the first half, shooting narrowly wide on 35 minutes. Half-time came with neither Keeper having to make a save.
Half-Time Blackpool 0-0 Port Vale
With Vale playing into the wind in the second half Blackpool began to get to grips with the game. Vernon should have scored after 52 minutes – heading over from about three yards out.
With Vale defending deeper and deeper the inevitable happened on 72 minutes. Clayton Fortune failed miserably to cut out a pass and Morrell was put through to score from 6 yards out.
Vale’s immediate response was to bring on Michael Husbands and go to 4-4-2. However, before Husbands had got into the game Blackpool scored again. A speculative shot from Fox deflected off Clayton Fortune, giving Anyon no chance.
Vale rallied during the last ten minutes, Whitaker shaving the bar. Vale got their consolation in injury time, Akpo Sodje converting a penalty after the ball was handled in the box.
Vale line-up…
Joe Anyon
George Pilkington (C)
Michael Walsh
Clayton Fortune
Jason Talbot
Ross Gardner
Paul Harsley
Robin Hulbert
Danny Whitaker
Jeff Smith
Akpo Sodje
Substitutes
Paul Musselwhite
Richard Walker
George Abbey
Mark McGregor
Michael Husbands (on for Hulbert – 73 mins)
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Typical performance. Why do we always have to play for a draw when theres half-an-hour of a game left? I’m looking forwrd to seeing two new players in tomorrow, and the leon saga finally sorted.
We had a few long range efforts, but we have been desperate without Leon in the side. Where will the goals come from? We should attack more, I think we’ve got a great back four we don’t need our midfield sitting back all the time.
We weren’t actually that bad, but we are just so slow and predictable when attacking, I hope we do get Marc Richards and Luke Rodgers tomorrow – and I hope we’re still looking for a right-sided midfielder.