Skipper expecting another tough encounter
Doug Loft is looking forward to Saturday’s visit of near neighbours Crewe Alexandra and says after the game earlier in the season Vale are expecting a hard game.
Vale managed to come away from the Alexandra Stadium with maximum points on that occasions but the Vale skipper says it was one of Vale’s hardest games of the season so far.
He said: “It is a massive derby on Saturday and we will put Tuesday’s defeat at Bradford behind us and concentrate on getting the three points against Crewe.
“We have been a bit disappointed in the last few games. We have had a lot of defending to do but with a home game coming up we have been good at home this year so hopefully that an carry on.
“We look more solid defensively now and it is just getting the balance right between attack and defence.
“Before, we were scoring goals and conceding them as well but now we are keeping clean sheets but not scoring so hopefully on Saturday we can put that right.
“There is still a lot to play for with a lot of big games coming up and it starts on Saturday with the derby match.
“They gave us a really hard game when we played them away, it was one of our hardest games of the season and I am sure it will be another hard game this time out.
“They have got a lot to play for and they will be all fired up for the game, just like we will, so it should make for a really good game.
“Crew have a big strong forward line now, but our defence played against a big strong forward the other day at Bradford and I thought they dealt with him well.
“We have been improving defensively of late and we look more sturdy at the back and I am sure they will do a good job this weekend.
“I enjoy every game, but derby games are something special and especially against Crewe. When we go there we always take a lot of fans and it is a big game for them and it is a big game for everyone at the club really.”