Lost knows there's still a lot to do
Doug Loft knows a thing or two about Vale’s opponents on Saturday having enjoyed a loan spell there when he was at Brighton.
His home is just twenty minutes away from The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium and the Vale midfielder is under no illusion about the size of the task ahead and what he and his team mates can expect.
He said: “We can expect a tough, physical game. They didn’t start the season brilliantly, but when we played them at home I spoke to John Still and he said they will be there or thereabouts this year and I believe him.
“He’s a manager who has been there and done it and I think it is going to be a really tough game, so we have got to go down there with the right attitude and work hard.
“I had a spell on loan at Dagenham. I was only there for a few games before being recalled by Brighton
“They don’t play the passing game I am used to but they all work together as a unit and he’s got everyone playing down there.
“John Still is a good guy, he’s a football guy and he knows his stuff and knows how to get out of this league. He is a good manager and we can expect a tough game.
Despite being in second spot at the halfway mark in the season, the Vale skipper refuses to get carried away and will make sure his team mates keep their feet firmly on the ground and continue to work hard for each other.
He said: “I’ve been in this position before. I’ve been top and finished outside the play-offs, so to me it doesn’t mean anything until the end of the season.
“I’ve been saying that to all of the lads. Everyone knows it’s where we are at the end of the season that counts, not where we are at Christmas.”