Port Vale boss Micky Adams has backed his side to end their current poor form, seeing them slip to third with one win in eight matches.
“If we were third-bottom, that would be a mess. It’s a blip, and a run of form we hoped we would never get, but we have,” Adams told BBC Radio Stoke.
“Eight games to go, third in the table, and good players in the dressing room. We’re not out of it yet.”
Adams continued, “I know the doubters and the cynics will blame me for it, and I have made mistakes, but not as many as people think I’ve made.
“I’ve said it many times before, players win football matches, managers lose them, so we can’t win.”
Vale’s poor run of form coincides with striker Tom Pope’s barren spell – the 27-year-old has failed to find the net in 10 matches, not scoring since Vale’s 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon back on January 24.
After a 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday (March 12) sections of the fans voiced their feelings and Adams has urged the fans to get behind the team rather than boo them.
He said, “I think our fans are fair-minded, but there’s always a minority that I don’t think understand the fact that if players are going through a crisis of confidence, they aren’t helping by booing.
“That’s not the way to help players. I have to put an arm around them and protect them. I always will, whether they are doing well or not.
“I would think the fair minded supporters would understand what I’m trying to say.
“We appreciate the support, and let’s try and get ourselves out of this mess.”
