We spoke to Mark Hughes following our dramatic 3-2 win over Port Vale.
Speaking to CUTV, Mark began:
“I’m delighted for the lads. I thought it was a game of ups and downs towards the end, but we fully deserved the win in my view.
“The performance in the first half was excellent, as good as we played. I feel it's just a continuation of where we left off from the last two wins. So yeah, it was great.
“I'm really pleased with the level that we showed in that first half. We're going up against the top team in the division. Second half, they have to change their shape, change their personnel, because they couldn't get a foothold in the game.
“So we knew they'd come back. You just hope that things don't drop for them in the box. They will always ask questions.
“And in fairness, we got the third goal. And ideally, you just want to see the game out comfortably, but it's never quite like that at a League Two level. So we had to dig in towards the end, and we're grateful to Gabe for making a great save from the penalty, which we're a bit aggrieved about because we felt it was a foul on Terell Thomas before the connection with the striker.
“But yeah, we've won the game and that was the right result in my view.”
Georgie Kelly made in four goals in three games, Mark was delighted.
“Georgie was once again playing out his skin. I mean, the guy hasn't had anything like the amount of football that his talent deserves in recent times. So I think he's just enjoying being out there playing, plays with freedom, plays with intelligence as well, understands where the goal is, brings people in to play.
“So I thought it was a complete striker's performance today.”
Speaking more on the game in general, Mark said:
“It was a really good performance and the fans were great. I mean, they came out in huge numbers. It was really important for us that we got that backing today.
“They understood where we are and the situation we're in. So yeah, I think it was a great day of football. I'm sure at halftime, Port Vale would have talked about trying to get the first goal and put us under pressure.
“But for Aaron [Hayden] to get that one.
“Yeah, and then looking back at the goal itself, it's an outstanding header, fantastic goal. So he does give us that threat, he's renowned for that.
“When he was at Wrexham, he scored about 10, 12 goals. A centre-half scoring that level of goals in any one season, then that's going to help you.”
Port Vale did give the Blues a real challenge, but Mark explained that was to be expected, against such a strong side.
“They matched us up and then played to their strength, which is the two front guys who will get on the end of things and chase things. And yeah, it's very difficult to stop every single ball going into your box and they got a couple of breaks and put some pressure on us.
“But like I said, I thought the penalty decision was really poor, but thankfully it came to the rescue.”
Gabe Breeze made a terrific penalty save in the dying embers of the game, to prevent Port Vale drawing level. Mark spoke on that:
“I think he knew which way he was going to go.
“He gets told the likelihood of which side, whichever individual takes the penalty, that's something that we do in terms of his preparation. So, yeah, guess right, guess correctly, remember the information he'd been given. So, yeah, great to see.”
Matty Dennis was sent off for two bookings, one when he was substituted for taking too long, and another during the penalty celebrations. A negative, in a game full of positives.
“Yeah, and that's a disappointment, I have to say. I mean, the first one was for him apparently not getting off the pitch when he was substituted.That's a soft one.
“The other one is just, obviously, everybody was jubilant at that point and I don't know what made him do it. I think he's just thrown a bottle on the pitch, which you can't do, especially if you've been booked before.
“So, that's a negative on the day, but it won't take away from the performance that we've put in today. It means we'll be missing him on Monday. It means that somebody else has to step up.
“I thought Joe Hugill came on to good effect, like he has done in recent times. So, yeah, we've got Elliot Embleton back as well after his suspension. So, yeah, we'll still be in good shape.”
Sam Lavelle missed out today, Mark gave us an update on him:
“Yeah, he tried to train on Thursday, but it was too uncomfortable. So, we thought that might be the case.
“I mean, he tried really hard to get back very quickly, but we just need a little bit more time.
Three wins on the bounce for the Blues closed the gap to Tranmere, with Accrington winning their game, and United heading to the Wham Stadium next.
“We can affect Accrington, obviously, next game up.
“So, we'll try and do that, but we've just got to keep this run going. If we can go right to the end of the season and win every game, then we can't really do any more than that. So, let's hope that's enough.
“We cut the gap today. So, we're grateful for that, but still a long way to go.
We're still in it. We're still fighting. That's what I expect.
“I've talked for a long time now, for the last few weeks, about the beliefs that the group is showing.
“They believe in what they're doing in terms of the balance that we've got to our player at the moment. They understand sometimes you've got to be a bit basic and clear your lines and work from a different position. But when we get the opportunity to play, we'll play.
“And everybody behind the scenes, players, staff, everybody feels we can do something special, but we're not there yet.”