Port Vale captain Carl Dickinson believes that the pressure is firmly on Saturday’s opposition Crewe Alexandra going into the game, but admits that they can’t roll over with that in mind.

Instead they will go out to play the way they want to play to get the three points that they are craving.

Speaking ahead of the derby clash, Carl said: “I think there might be a bit of pressure on them, especially at home in a local derby when they have no points.

“Their fans may get on their backs and that’s something we need to use to our advantage, but we haven’t got the right results we’ve wanted either in the last three league games, so it’s something both teams need to sort out really.

“Derby games are a bit different to normal matches, its one where you have to roll your sleeves up and do all the dirty work before you earn the right to play.

“That’s what we need to do on Saturday, because I think their fans and their team will be fired up, especially because their season hasn’t got off to a good start.

“But we need to go there, come out the blocks firing and keep their crowd quiet, because we need the three points as well.

“It’s all about us, what we want to do, how we want to play and how we want to conduct ourselves and perform in the right way. It’s going to be a battle and one we need to be ready for.”

Carl feels that all the players are fired up and ready for the match, and want nothing less than the three points so everyone involved with Vale can go home happy.

He explained: “From what I’ve seen from the boys training this week, I think everyone is really looking forward to this one.

“I was in the stands injured for this fixture last season and the crowd were quite lively that day, we need them to be like that again on Saturday.

“They give you a little bit extra, knowing that every tackle, every header, every little thing you do wrong, you’ll have 2,200 fans screaming at you and it does help.”