Gerry Murphy: We were too cavalier

Nov 10 2008 By Mel Booth

GERRY MURPHY praised Town’s performance but told his players: "We’ve got to be more professional."

The caretaker manager couldn’t believe a 3-1 lead provided by Michael Collins, Ian Craney and Robbie Williams was snatched away in the last 11 minutes.

A Louis Dodds double and a strike by Dave Howland levelled it up before Marc Richards grabbed a stoppage-time winner for Vale, who had been outplayed for long spells.

"At 3-1 up we showed too cavalier an approach," said Murphy.

"I think we got a bit over-confident and thought we’d won the game and, when that happens, it tends to come back and bite you on the bum – which is exactly what happened.

"We have to learn that when we’ve got control of a game like that, we’re not the ones who have to take the risks."

Murphy changed the system, putting Joe Skarz in at sweeper and operating with Jim Goodwin anchoring midfield, Andy Holdsworth and Williams the wing-backs and Craney, Collins and Gary Roberts giving support to frontman Phil Jevons. Four changes in all delivered some impressive passing football, but not the result.