Despite the loss to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday afternoon, Luke Joyce insists there is plenty to take from the game and has admitted he is enjoying himself in the new syste
Following the arrival of John Askey, Port Vale have donned a new system with a three-man midfield with Joyce as the pivot, playing slightly behind the other two midfielders.
The change in system has benefitted the experienced midfielder and he has certainly found his feet, putting in a number of impressive performances over the past few weeks.
Joyce's display against Forest Green Rovers earned him the Man of the Match award and he is looking to continue in the same fashion next weekend.
He said: "It's the best spell of form I've had at the club. I was disappointed with it's gone in the first few months of the season and I was a bit inconsistent. I hold high standards and I don't make excuses.
"But it's really enjoyable to play in for myself personally. The system we play allows me to get on the ball and dictate the play and I'm seeing a lot more of the ball than I did earlier in the season.
"From a personal point of view, I'm really enjoying it and I think the lads are as well. We've shown that with performances over the past few weeks and I'd like to see the fans are seeing that."
Vale now look ahead to next weekend when they make the trip to Northampton Town, eager to bounce back from Saturday's defeat.
John Askey's side will have good memories of playing the Cobblers this season, having beat them 2-0 last year courtesy of goals from Ben Whitfield and Manny Oyeleke.
Having worked with a number of the coaching staff at Northampton, Joyce is looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces on his travels, but ensures coming home with three points is the most important thing.
He said: "I've got some good friends over then in Keith Curle, Colin West and Dan Watson who was here as the goalkeeper coach.
"It'll be nice to see them but it'll be even nicer to go down there and put a good performance myself. Put a good performance in as a team and take some points off of them."