“Our poorest performance of the season” – Andy Crosby on loss to Cheltenham Town

Andy Crosby was bitterly disappointing in the “poorest performance of the season” as his Port Vale side lost 2-1 to Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Crosby told the local media: “I think it’s our poorest performance on the season, I’ll be honest with you.

“We didn’t win enough duels, enough battles, we didn’t win enough first contacts, we didn’t win enough headers, we didn’t win enough second balls and then when you get the ball back you have to continue to show that bravery to get on the ball and play the game we’re trying to play. The team that played the best won the game.

“We went with the group of players we had available and we thought by playing two up top we would cause them problems. Everyone knows where Ryan (Loft) and Uche (Ikpeazu) are in terms of fitness and where we’re trying to get them to.

“We prepared well. The players knew what was expected of them but it’s important that collectively we all go away and you look at yourself and are you currently producing your best? If not, why not and what can you do to make sure your performance is better. We all have to do something about it.”

Crosby revealed that Ben Garrity and Jason Lowe both picked up injuries adding: “We lost a couple of players yesterday morning in training. There was some doubt about both players (Ben Garrity and Jason Lowe). I have to look at the longevity and if I am putting those players at risk. I thought I was hence why both weren’t playing.”