Hard work can bring results
It comes as no surprise to hear Rob Page is expecting a difficult game when Vale take on League On leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Like manager Micky Adams, he knows there is only one way Vale are likely to get anything out of the match and that is for each and every one of the players to put in a shift.
He said: “They are top of the league for a reason and we are expecting a tough game, but we can only do what we can do and that is to work hard and then the quality will shine through.
“They use that as their foundation too, they are a hard working team and they have got quality that will win them games, so we have got to have every box ticked on Saturday if we are going to come away with anything.”
Micky decided to keep the same team last weekend following the midweek victory over Bury in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but is he likely to stick this weekend, or will he twist?
Page said: “I think the manager made it clear that he didn’t really know the best eleven, so when you get a winning formula and you get a winning team it is important then to keep the momentum.
“He decided to keep with the same team in the league game the Saturday after and we got another win, so I can’t see there being too many changes.
“Once you have got the momentum and you have won a couple of games, it is important to keep that going.
“During the pre-season you have an idea and I think all of the coaching staff had an idea of what the starting eleven would be.
“Then when you have a couple of results that don’t go your way sometimes it is better to change it, and that’s what we did, we changed it and thankfully we found a winning formula in the cup and we took that into the league game.
“There’s been a bit of chopping and changing with personnel, but it just goes to show the strength in depth we have in the squad at the moment.
“There is competition for places in all positions and that is a healthy position to be in at any football club.”
Orient sit proudly at the top of the table with five winds out of five, but they haven’t got there without having to work at it and that is something being drummed into the Val playrs ahead of the game.
Page continued: “It’s a fantastic record to win five out of five, but it’s up to us now. What they have got is a great work ethic and they do the donkey work really, really well.
“We have got to match that, then it comes down to individual battles all around the pitch and that’s no different to what we did in our home game against Bradford.
“Away from home we face different opposition with better qualities and teams who are prepared to do the other side of it.
“It is going to be a tough game, but we have told the players what they are going to be expecting and we have given them as much information as we can and it is up to them.”