Duffy looks at Carlisle United
Port Vale’s Richard Duffy has talked up the importance of Vale utilising their full squad this season and believes it is vital everyone remains match-ready even if they’re placed on the bench or out of the matchday squad.
Duffy has found himself on the Vale bench for the majority of the opening games but featured in manager Micky Adams’ starting line-up for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over Bury on Tuesday at the expense of Adam Yates.
Duffy explained: “We get on together off the field (with Yates), which is good, although if you want to put it one way we’re rivals, we play for the same team but we’re playing for the same position.
“That’s football you can’t give yourself 11 players you’ve got to have a good squad for when people are out of form or injuries and then it’s up to the manager who he picks.”
Duffy has found himself on the fringes of the first-team and last started in the 3-1 defeat to Colchester United before starting in the win over Bury.
Duffy admits his frustration but believes you have to be full behind the starting team whether you’re involved or not.
“You’re paid to play football and when you don’t get picked on a Saturday it’s frustrating and disappointing but you’ve got to get behind the lads who are playing,” he said.
“Coming into training on a Monday you’ve got to focus and get yourself back in the team.
“I’ve played Tuesday and hopefully I’ll stake a claim to play.
“You can only do what you can do when you’re given the chance, it’s not up to me who the manager picks he’s got a good squad.”
Despite having to come from behind against Bury Duffy believes there are plenty of positives going into Saturday SkyBet League 1 match against Carlisle United.
Duffy said: “As a team we’ve won a game of football so that is good for confidence going into the weekend.
“I think the boys who haven’t played (regularly) will take a lot of positives out of it (the win against Bury).
“Fitness, 90 minutes, some good things and bad things, I think you expect that if you haven’t played all season really, you’re going to be a little bit rusty.
“But on the whole we’ve gone out and won a game of football.”