The team will be going out there to repay the fans with three points according to Tom Pope
Vale favourite Tom Pope believes that this weekend’s game against Crewe Alexandra is the type of fixture that can kick-start the season after a poor run of results, especially when looking at how important a fixture it is for the fans.
Speaking ahead of the important derby clash on Saturday, Tom said: “I think if you look at the run we’ve been on during the last couple of weeks, this is the kind of game that can get you back on track.
“It’s certainly one the fans will be looking forward to, and we’ll be going out there to repay them, by coming back with the three points.
“There’s nothing worse than losing a derby game and the feeling you get with it. I remember the game last year at Vale Park when we lost.
“That was the most disappointed I’ve been after a game of football and I don’t want to have that feeling again this Saturday.”
He feels that even though Crewe have looked unlikely to get a point from anywhere so far this season, they will be up for the game and if Vale don’t perform they will be punished.
He explained: “Crewe are bottom of the league and haven’t won a game so people might say they are a poor side.
“However, if you sit off them and allow them to play they still have players that can come after us and cause all sorts of problems.
“If that’s what we do, then we’ll become unstuck so we have to go out with the right mentality and get after them. If we can do that then we’ll win the game.”
As a lifelong supporter of the club, he knows exactly what this fixture means to the fans.
He knows that the way to get the best out of them is by starting the game well and showing them their intention to win.
He said: “Our fans are always good away and certainly at Crewe. Last year they were a major part of how we got three points, they really drive you forward.
“We’ve got a great away following and that’s something we hope continues. When you’re on a bad run and haven’t won for a few games, they can become a bit restless and voice their opinions.
“We have to start the game well, if we can get an early goal and get the fans right behind us it can certainly get an extra 10% out of the players.
“We have to give them something to shout about, it’s pointless telling them to get behind us when we start sloppy and scrappy, but if we start well I think we’ve got a chance of getting three points.”