Pope prefers criticism from gaffer
Confidence can make or break a player, a player’s performance can sometimes hinge on that players confidence.
Striker Tom Pope believes he is a confidence type player but prefers the manger's honest opinion when it comes to his performance.
He explained: “I’ve always been one that I’d rather the gaffer give me a relocking than praise me, it keeps you on your toes and keeps you motivated.
“I don’t think the gaffer has had a go at me for not scoring goals that’s something he doesn’t knock me at but if I am not winning enough headers or not holding the ball up.
“I like the way he is, I am sure with different players, players like wingers who really are confidence players, they rely on their confidence.”
After a slow start Pope scored four goals in a week, starting with a late consolation goal against Wolves, the striker is confident he can match the form that saw him score 31 league goals last season.
“It’s getting a lot better, the balls into me in the last few games have been a lot better.
“We played some good stuff on Saturday against top of the league.
“I feel as if I am getting there towards the top of my game again.
“When you’re playing against better players you aren’t going to play as well as you want to some weeks,” he said.
Pope says that Vale have had to acclimatise to SkyBet League 1 and the different challenges that it brings in comparison to League Two.
Pope explained: “There are some big strong centre-backs out there and we’re not getting us much of the ball as we had last year.
“It’s going to be a lot of defending and sitting behind the ball and waiting for counter attacks.
“I’ve got four goals so far and if I can add a few more then it’ll keep it going.”