Goalkeeper Speaks To Valiant Player After Crewe Loss

• Vale were beaten 1-0 by local rivals Crewe at home.
• Neal saved a Nicky Ajose penalty in the first half.
• Puts success to saving from the spot down to club's performance analyst.

Port Vale goalkeeper Chris Neal has revealed his penalty saving success is down to the club’s performance analyst Dan Thompson.

The 29-year-old saved yet another spot kick in the derby day defeat to local rivals Crewe Alexandra, diving the right way to keep out Nicky Ajose’s first half attempt from 12 yards.

Neal does not put his exemplary record at stopping penalties down to luck though – he claims it is because of the hard work of Dan, who analyses each opposition penalty taker in the lead-up to every game.

Speaking exclusively to Valiant Player following the loss to Steve Davis’ side, Vale’s number one credited the club’s performance analyst for his thoroughness.

“I’ve got to be honest, it’s to do with Dan, our analyst,” he said.

“He comes down, he watches the penalties of previous takers and shows me before the game so he’s got a big, big part to play in it as well.

“So I’ve got to thank him for all the penalty saves that I make.”

to watch the full interview with Chris Neal, or watch a short clip of the interview in the YouTube video below.hereClick