John Askey acknowledges just how important Saturday's trip to Notts County could turn out to be in Vale's fight for survival in Sky Bet League Two, but he insists that his side will go to Meadow Lane looking to take all three points.

The Valiants are yet to win a game under the new manager, but he is determined for that statistic to change this time around. Success in Nottingham could potentially lift Vale six points clear of the bottom two if results go their way, and Askey is relishing the occasion.

He said: "We are going there to win and if we can get that, the gap opens up again and we would sleep in our beds a bit better on Saturday.

"There are still a lot of games to go and the approach won't be any different to any of the other fixtures, but we want to come away with three points. 

"Winning would lift everyone around the club and it would give the players belief in what we're doing, but there is a good atmosphere between the players - if you came in you wouldn't think we were where we are in the league.

"That is pleasing, but hopefully we can take the feel-good factor that we have in training into our games. I want them to relax and play the football that I know they can play."

Vale will be backed by a superb following with over 800 tickets sold in advance for the clash, and tickets are also available on the gate, meaning that there could be well over 1,000 supporters in the away end at Notts County.

Askey is grateful to all of the fans who turn out to get behind the team, and he admits that they can play a crucial part between now and the end of the season, starting with this weekend's highly anticipated game.

He said: "I've said since I came in that the supporters have got to realise the position that the club is in, and these are probably the most important games that Port Vale have ever played in.

"It's vital that they try to get behind us, but as I've stated before, it's up to the players as well. We can't just expect the fans to shout and scream when there's nothing to get excited about.

"In other games when the players have started to play with the energy that people want to see, Port Vale's supporters have proved that they are good and they really get behind the team."