Ahead of what is another important fixture for Port Vale, John Askey wants his players to build on the victory over Mansfield Town by securing all three points when Yeovil Town travel to Burslem on Tuesday evening.
Despite Saturday’s win being his first since arriving at the club a month ago, Askey insists it was only a matter of time before they picked up all three points as he had seen significant improvements in the performance levels.
Not only did the 2-1 triumph over the Stags lift a weight off the shoulders, it also widened the gap between Vale and the bottom two to seven points, but the gaffer doesn’t want the players to rest on their laurels.
He said: “We finally got the win and it has given everyone a lift, but I think it was coming and the performances had warranted us getting a result.
“We’ve just got to make sure that we do it again how because one sunny day doesn’t make a summer. We’ve got to take heart and confidence from it, and we need to take that into the game on Tuesday.
“They’re a good group of players who work really hard, so hopefully what we’re doing will pay dividends and we’ll continue to improve. Time will tell and we’re not getting carried away, but the squad have been responsive to what we’ve been doing.”
Darren Way’s Yeovil are one of the teams attempting to stave off relegation from the fourth tier, and with that in mind, Askey is determined to make it two wins in succession at Vale Park.
Cristian Montano registered a brace either side of a Connell Rawlinson header as the Valiants came out as 3-0 victors at Huish Park when the sides met earlier this season, and a repeat of that result would be very welcome.
With the season now reaching the business end, Askey just wants the group to continue believing in their ability, and he is adamant that they have the required characteristics to pull clear of any potential danger.
He said: “Most people who looked at the two games probably would’ve wanted a point against Mansfield and three against Yeovil, but it’s another big game.
“If we win we will pull ourselves clear of them a little bit more, and that makes it another cup final. We’ve responded when we’ve been in that position and the players have done well - they’ve kept their heads.
“We’re hoping the Mansfield win can act as a springboard, but I think Notts County provided that in many ways. I got the feeling that things were changing, with the work rate and how we played, there seemed to be something different.
“We’ve got to keep doing that now. That’s the most important thing for us, to see how we respond after that win.”