Striker says Vale will do do everything they can to get the three points

Striker Tom Pope is looking forward to the challenge Vale face when they take on in-form Rochdale at Spotland on Saturday afternoon.

Despite a sluggish performance against Aldershot on Tuesday night, Vale are unbeaten in five games and showed Burton Albion just what they are capable only a week ago here at Vale Park.

Tom says: “We have done well over the last couple of weeks to put ourselves in the position again that we are in and the teams below us are going to have to pretty much pick up maximum points.

“Hopefully we can go to Rochdale in the Burton frame of mind rather than the Aldershot one.

“Rochdale have got some good players and certainly going forward they are very lively and sharp. Players like Ashley Grimes and Bobby Grant can score goals out of nothing.”

Vale are well aware of Rochdale’s recent form, having beaten Exeter, Fleetwood and Southend in their last three fixtures, and that should be enough to ensure the Vale players approach the game in a totally professional manner.

“We have played the team at the bottom of the league and been lucky to come away with a point, so we are certainly not going to go to Rochdale with cockiness or arrogance if we are going to there and get the three points.” said Tom

“We are going to do everything we can to get the three points and hopefully due to the way we play we will deserve the three points.

“We are not going to get carried away, we are going there in the right frame of mind with the right attitude and get in their faces and if we do that we can win the game.

“It’s not over until it is over. It is difficult when the likes of Northampton and Burton have what on paper have a couple of home games where you fancy them getting three points.

“We have obviously got Northampton next weekend and that is a game we can’t afford to lose, but we are not going to worry about other teams, if we get three points on Saturday then we are one step closer to where we want to be.”