Micky Adams: Port Vale boss admits job is at risk after bad run

Micky Adams' Port Vale side have collected five points from their first seven matches in League One

Port Vale manager Micky Adams admits the side's poor run of form has left him fighting to save his job.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at local rivals Crewe Alexandra was Vale's fourth defeat in a row in League One and their fifth in all competitions.

"I'm not daft enough to think if we go on a run of losing games that my job's safe - how can it be?" Adams, 52, told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Things can't go on - I need a lift, the boys need a lift and a break."

Vale started the League One season well by taking four points from their first two games and thrashing Hartlepool in the Capital One Cup.

But since their 1-1 draw at Oldham on 19 August, results have tailed off with home defeats by Notts County and Chesterfield and more disappointment on the road at Peterborough and Gresty Road.

They were also knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Cardiff during that run, which has left Vale 22nd in the table and without a home win in the league so far.

"This hurts," added Adams. "No one is hurting more than me at the moment at the run we're on, but I'm not going to hide away, that's for sure."

Adams has been at Vale since returning for a second spell in charge in May 2011 and signed a new rolling contract in June after a period of uncertainty over his future.

Vale take on League One leaders Bristol City in their next game on Tuesday.