Port Vale boss John Askey laid the blame for his side’s defensive collapse squarely at the feet of his centre-halves after the Valiants twice blew leads to lose a 4-3 thriller at Walsall. Walsall climbed to eighth with a fourth straight win, outside the play-offs only on goal difference, as Vale slipped to 16th, leaving Askey to criticise central defensive duo Leon Legge and Nathan Smith. Vale’s only clean sheet in their past 14 games in all competitions came against bottom side Southend and Askey admitted: “We can’t defend. “The response from the lads that came off and came on was tremendous and shows that we’ve got a squad that’s together,” said Clarke. I’m sure it was a good game to watch but it’s another couple of years off my life.

Source: Express December 19, 2020 18:45 UTC