Midfielder Spoke To Press On Monday Afternoon
- Vale head to Oakwell this weekend to face Barnsley.
- Birchall says the players are determined to return to winning ways.
- The 30-year-old is enjoying his run in the starting line-up.
Chris Birchall has insisted Port Vale are determined to bounce back this weekend when they face Barnsley at Oakwell.
Rob Page takes his side to Yorkshire for their clash with the Tykes on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, after defeat to local rivals Crewe Alexandra.
The Valiants have made a habit of returning to winning ways rapidly following disappointing results this season, responding to defeats to the likes of Swindon Town and Chesterfield with immediate victories.
Speaking to the press on Monday afternoon, Birchall said Vale are hoping for a similar reaction against Danny Wilson’s side this weekend.
“We’ve just got to make sure we bounce back and in recent games we have done,” he said.
“Especially against Chesterfield, when we lost we bounced back straight away and hopefully we can do that again against Barnsley, who are not on the best run either.”
Tom Pope made his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury against Steve Davis’ Crewe on Saturday.
The striker emerged from the bench on the hour mark and was heavily involved in a number of Vale chances towards the end of the contest.
Ryan McGivern, meanwhile, made his comeback from an arm injury in a reserve fixture against Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Birchall, the return of the duo will only serve to enhance Vale’s chances of returning home with three points on Saturday.
He said: “We’ve got players coming back who can add to the squad and hopefully we can go there [Barnsley] and win because I don’t think Pagey is going to set us out there to go for a draw, the way the league is.
“We need to pick up three points.”
Former LA Galaxy man Birchall has started in Vale’s last two games and scored in the 2-1 win over Peterborough United less than a fortnight ago.
The 30-year-old midfielder has admitted he is enjoying a run in the starting line-up and is hoping to continue playing regularly.
“For me playing time is vital as well in that position, trying to get your fitness levels up,” he said.
“It’s obviously been hard and hopefully I can play a few more minutes but we’ll have to see what the gaffer does for Saturday.”