Louis Dodds is ready for Saturday's final home match of the season against Northampton Town and believes the Vale fans can be the difference.

Nearly 11,000 witnessed Vale thrash Burton Albion 7-1 at Vale Park and Dodds believes a similar atmosphere will affect Northampton.

He said: “Against Burton they were absolutely phenomenal, they gave us that added buzz.

“When opposing teams come here and hear the fans singing it really does put the fear into them, we look phenomenal with them behind us, hopefully they do it on Saturday again.

Dodds is fully aware of the threat that Northampton pose despite losing at home 2-0 to York City. Northampton won 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in October thanks to goals from Louis Moult and Alex Nicholls. 

“They had a little bit of a blip on Saturday, losing at home to York, they are a good team.

“When we played them we were camped in our half, they've got the long throw and they are quiet direct.

“They've got our old boy Lee Collins there as well, they are a good outfit,” said Dodds.

Northampton Town will be match number 45 of a long league campaign and Dodds is proud of how the team have gone from strength to strength through the turbulent times of administration through to promotion contenders.

He said: “If you think how it started, going into administration and we didn't have any kits when we played Burnley so I don't think anyone in their wildest dreams could predicted where we'd be, so we just need to make it a season to remember.

Dodds added: “Everyone had a little word with each other and we stuck together and wanted to do it for the gaffer and for the fans because they were going through a bad time like we were.”