neil aspin

Port Vale manager Neil Aspin is looking to his defenders to repeat their defensive display they showed at Wycombe last weekend, and nullify any potential Chesterfield attack.

Chesterfield will be coming to Vale Park tomorrow afternoon full of confidence after an excellent 3-1 win at home last weekend against Kevin Nolan's promotion chasing side, Notts County.

Neil Aspin is fully aware of the threat that Chesterfield pose coming into tomorrow's game, and his hoping his defence can show the same qualities from last weekend.

"I went to the game and Chesterfield were impressive on the day and they played very well and deserved to win the game so that's a timely boost for them.

"We have to make sure we defend like we did in the Wycombe game. We haven't kept enough clean sheets at home and if we do that then it obviously gives us a basis to go on and win the game. We need to defend well and make sure we're tight at the back.

"The last couple of games at home we conceded goals that could've been avoided. If you let Chesterfield play they will play, they've got some good players on the ball. It's a game where you impose your own game on them and make sure you don't give them the space and the time to play."

With Chesterfield coming to Vale Park tomorrow afternoon and the Valiants travelling to Crewe on Monday, Neil Aspin has not played down the importance of the two fixtures, with the results from both games potentially dictating who survives in the league.

Chesterfield go into the game with two games in hand over the Valiants, but a win tomorrow for Vale would see them pick up their first three points of the new year and lift them 8 points clear of the relegation zone.

The gaffer has said last week's point at Wycombe was a positive step, one the players picked up a lot of confidence from and are fully aware of what is at stake for the club, but it's all about what they do on the pitch.

"They've got to out tomorrow with the passion and determination and they've got to get the crowd on board, get them on side and give them something to shout about. They've got to be positive and go out and win the game.

"It's well documented the problems we've had all season. Tomorrow is one of them days where we've got to treat it like a cup tie and forget about what the previous results have been like.

"For me, obviously it's part of the league campaign, but it's a one off it's like a cup tie. We need to play like it's a really big cup tie, and we've got to get the supporters on board, they've got to get right behind us."