Vale wing back, 20, enjoying his run in Darrell Clarke’s side after joining from Manchester City earlier this year.

• Sammy Robinson | “I can’t speak highly enough of the coaching staff”
• Port Vale’s young former Manchester City wing back on settling into life at Vale Park
• Robinson: “When you get into the professional game, it is tougher, you learn from other players. The lads have really helped me out; when I first came in, Wozza [David Worrall] really took me under his wing and Ben Garrity too – they helped me to settle in.”

Port Vale wing back Sammy Robinson was full of praise for the club’s coaching staff and senior players when he spoke to the press ahead of this weekend’s clash with Charlton Athletic.

Robinson joined the Vale earlier this year from Manchester City and praised his teammates, Darrell Clarke and his coaching staff for their impact on his development in his first year in senior football.

“They [the staff] have been great,” Robinson explained. “They have told me to be confident, to get on the ball but make sure I do my defensive duties. I can’t speak highly enough of them.

“When you get into the professional game, it is tougher, you learn from other players. The lads have really helped me out; when I first came in, Wozza [David Worrall] really took me under his wing and Ben Garrity too – they helped me to settle in.”

Robinson is now into double figures of first team appearances for the Vale and highlighted that the physicality and defensive side of senior football is something he is looking to improve on as he adapts from playing youth football at the highest level.

“I am myself when I am on the pitch,” Robinson explained. “I play with freedom and no fear. The physicality is the biggest difference to Under 23s football; everyone is stronger – in the 23s the football is less physical but there are such good players on the ball in those games.

“I feel like going forward I am really good; that’s not to big myself up, that’s just the player I am. I want to develop the defensive side of my game; in the 23s it wasn’t as physical and was more one v one, rather than aerial duels or people pinning you.

“I still want to improve going forwards but I feel like my focus is on the defensive aspects.”

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH SAMMY ON OUR OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL (ABOVE) AS WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PLAYERS HE MOST ENJOYS WATCHING AND HIS CAREER PATH TO DATE.