Port Vale manager Darren Moore has admitted his players are ‘caught up with where we are’ as calls for his head continue to intensify.
Eyebrows were raised in February 2024 when the former Sheffield Wednesday boss was appointed at Vale Park on a huge five-and-a-half-year deal. Although he was unable to keep the club in League One, last season proved to be a success when he earned promotion back to the third tier at the first attempt.
Despite that, the Staffordshire-based side have endured a miserable campaign to date. They started slowly, picking up two points from their opening seven games. However, there was enough in those performances to suggest that the tide was beginning to turn.
A first win of the season at Exeter City was quickly followed by successes against Mansfield Town and Barnsley in September. That proved to be a false dawn though, with that victory at Oakwell their last in the league.
Relegation looks a formality
Vale travelled to one of Moore’s former clubs on Boxing Day as they took on promotion candidates Huddersfield Town at the Accu Stadium. There was to be no Christmas cheer for the visitors though, as they suffered their biggest defeat of the season.
A brace from Leo Castledine was complimented by further goals from Ryan Ledson, Bojan Radulovic and Alfie May as the Terriers romped to a 5-0 win. Although all the other clubs towards the bottom of the table also lost, it was a result which kept the Valiants 10 points from safety.
Still, the manager is refusing to accept defeat. Speaking after the game, the 51-year-old said:
“We’ve still got 25 games. We’re not at the halfway point yet.
“We’re just looking at the next game. It’s pointless looking too far ahead.
“We’ve got to focus on where we’re going to get the next win. Otherwise, things will look too enormous.”
🗣️ Darren Moore on today’s defeat.#PVFC | #PVFC150 pic.twitter.com/A3GlPlxWoG
— Port Vale Football Club (@OfficialPVFC) December 26, 2025
Is Moore on borrowed time?
It doesn’t get any easier for Vale tomorrow night as make the trip to third-placed Bradford City. The ex-Premier League defender has hinted he knows he is under scrutiny, although has seemingly laid the blame at the door of his players:
“We’re in an industry and a sport where we’re judged on our performances and we have to be honest.
“These boys aren’t showing their ability at the moment because they are allowing themselves to get caught up in terms of where we are, instead of playing their game.
“We’ve got to compete better and equip ourselves better to do that.”
There is an ever-increasing pressure coming from the stands and the calls for Moore to be sacked are becoming more vocal with each passing day. One glance at the comments under his latest post-match interview tell you everything you need to know about the feelings of the supporters.
With two home games to kick off 2026 against Blackpool and Barnsley, it feels that the gaffer must pick up at least four points to stand any chance of saving his job. However, with over three years remaining of his current deal, it will not be a decision that is taken lightly.