Forward says Vale must keep striving for consistency ahead of this weekend’s trip to Bristol Rovers following positive run of performances and results.

• Gavin Massey | “It is about finding consistency and hopefully we carry that on this weekend”
• Port Vale forward previews his side’s League One trip to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
• Massey: “[Back-to-back wins] breeds confidence in training day in and day out; the boys who haven’t had many minutes are eager to get in and play so it does help with competition for places. Everyone wants to do well.”

Port Vale forward Gavin Massey says Darrell Clarke’s side are looking to build consistency following three consecutive victories.

Massey has featured in back-to-back League One wins against Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle, either side of a Papa Johns Trophy victory against Barnsley.

And while pleased with both performances and results in recent weeks, Massey says the key to continued progression will be producing on a consistent basis.

“I think [our start to the season] has been really good,” he said. “We have had to get our feet under the table, we have played a lot of new teams and had to feel our way into the league but the last few performances we have done really well.

“It is about getting that consistency and hopefully we can carry that on, on Saturday.

“[Back-to-back wins] breeds confidence in training day in and day out; the boys who haven’t had many minutes are eager to get in and play so it does help with competition for places. Everyone wants to do well.

“[The team spirit] is massive; it comes from the gaffer and Cros [Andy Crosby], they set the tone and we follow. It has been a good start to the season, but that is all it is and we have to keep going.”

Massey has been a versatile option for Clarke and his staff in the opening four-and-a-half months of the 2022/23 campaign.

Having played at both right wing back and in an advanced role, Massey has started 11 of the Vale’s 20 League One matches, also appearing as a substitute on six occasions and has been a beneficiary of manager Clarke’s willingness to change teams with each game viewed as a project.

“I knew the gaffer liked changing his teams quite frequently before I came here and it is good because it keeps everyone on their toes,” Massey said. “It keeps everyone fresh and the gaffer does that for the boys, which gives the hunger for us to do really well. You can see that in the Papa Johns too when the manager freshens up the team.

“When I spoke to the gaffer, it was green circles everywhere for where he thinks I can play. I am comfortable playing everywhere; at the start of the season it was right wing back but more recently it has been up front in a three.

“I have played numerous roles in my career; played on the left, played on the right, done a job in centre midfield and I guess my experience helps that and I am happy to do it.

“Everyone wants to score goals but to be honest throughout my career I haven’t been too big on goals; it is nice [when you score a goal] but I have always brought other things to the table for the team.”