The Valiants welcome Russell Slade’s Grimsby Town to Vale Park on Saturday afternoon, and with Neil Aspin taking control of his first Sky Bet League Two fixture, Vale will be hoping for a positive result.
With just days to prepare, the new manager will be casting an eye over the squad at his disposal. Following Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy win over Newcastle United U21s, Aspin’s men will go into the weekend in high spirits.
Speaking about the situation, the manager said: “It’s a bit of a whirlwind at the moment, but we’ve only got a couple of training sessions before that game.
“The focus is on me at the moment, but to be honest, it’s all about what the players do on the pitch, can they produce to get results and enable us to get up the table?”
As a hero amongst Vale supporters, Aspin is relishing the opportunity to walk back out at ValePark on Saturday and he admits that it’s great to start his tenure on home soil.
He said: “It’s great to have a home game to start with, but it’s all about the result. If we don’t get the right one it would be disappointing, but I’m looking forward to it.
“The biggest thing is that the supporters get behind the team. It’s not about myself in the dugout or whoever is in the stands, it’s about the players on the pitch.
“At this moment in time, they need the support of all Port Vale fans and I know how much the club means to the supporters here. If they show that passion, it is then up to the lads to respond.”