Vale needed to go back to basics after their miserable seaside trip

PORT Vale's loss at Grimsby Town proved to be a defining moment of the season. CLIVE YOULTON continues his review of the Valiants' campaign...

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THE fallout from Port Vale's defeat to Grimsby Town on December 29 was widespread.

Connor Ripley, such a brilliant goalkeeper for Vale, had played his last game.

Jesse Debrah, who put in one or two tremendous tackles and was by no means one of the worst performers on the day, appeared to have been made a scapegoat. As did Jack Shorrock.

Neither were included in the next FIVE league squads and only reappeared in the EFL Trophy against Wrexham on February 4.

Debrah was recalled to the squad for Swindon Town on February 8 but wasn't used. He next started in League Two on February 13 against Notts County.

Midfielder Ryan Croasdale reckoned the tirade of disparaging remarks that came from the Port Vale fans at the final whistle at Grimsby should be used as motivation in their next clash.

Croasdale reflected via the club's website: "We are not doing the basics right. We are being outfought, we are not competing and if you are struggling on the ball, then I've always thought that hard work and competing will make sure that on-the-ball stuff will come. We've got to get back to basics and do that properly."

Lifting confidence was key and he said: "That's not easy. You want to win games and you want to play well and that's not going to happen all the time.

"We have got to improve as quickly as we can. Yes, we're low on confidence but we have got a quick turnaround."