One car, three goals, three points
Doug Loft was obviously pleased to grab his first goal away from home this season when he netted Vale’s second against Crawley Town in midweek.
He wasn’t the only player who travelled into work yesterday with a smile on his face, his two travelling companions had also found the net on Tuesday night.
The Vale skipper was perhaps more pleased with the team performance as Vale got back to winning ways in convincing style.
He said: “We worked hard against Sheffield United with ten men and to go out there and put in a performance like that on Tuesday night was pleasing.
“The atmosphere in the car coming in for training yesterday was good, as all three of our car pool, myself, Louis Dodds and Ben Williamson had scored against Crawley.
“I was pleased for ‘Willo’ because ha has been so close to scoring this season. He has been working hard and he has got everything to his game, he just needs a few goals for his confidence.
“Hopefully he will now kick on and get a few more. I am always telling him how good he is in the car, I just want him to realise it himself.
“Hopefully he can kick on and get into double figures this season, he is quite capable of it, as are all of our strikers – I see them in training every day and I see how good they are. ‘Willo’ just needed that goal and I am sure he and ‘Doddsy’ will kick on and get a few more.”
Another player to be praised by his skipper was Jordan Higill, who made his Vale debut in midweek at Crawley and impressed everybody.
Loft said: “I am delighted for him .He’s gone on loan and he’s come back a completely different player. He looks strong and he looks confident and he looks like he knows what he wants to do in games.
“Everyone was behind him on Tuesday and I thought he played really well. He’s good in the air and you can’t get round him – he’s a bit like ‘Popey’ really, he’s a great finisher as well.”