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Interviews

Neil Aspin reflects on Wolves test

25 July 2018

Interviews

Neil Aspin reflects on Wolves test

25 July 2018

Neil Aspin was pleased with the workout that his Port Vale side were given on Tuesday evening as they played out a 2-2 draw at Vale Park.

In an action-packed first half, an own goal from Ethan Ebanks-Landell and a strike from Louis Dodds had cancelled out Michal Zyro's free-kick. However, Paul Glandon found an equaliser shortly after Vale's second to ensure the game ended as a tie.

Reflecting on the game, Aspin said: “I think it was a good test and Wolves had a stronger team that we’d have first thought because they were due to play a game at Fleetwood, but that got changed.

“They has some good players, kept the ball and they were prepared to push four men up in the first half and really test us.

“It was a good workout and we changed the team tonight, with a few people playing who haven’t played in other games, but it was competitive and that’s what you want from pre-season.

“Sometimes you can play against U23 teams and they’re really young, but Wolves had some players who have played at a really good level.

“You could tell that and they had some good athletes - players that were strong and technically good - and they were good in wide areas, so they gave us a good test."

On a night where two formations were utilised by the Valiants, Aspin was pleased with the efforts of his team and he was full of praise for Theo Vassell and Tom Conlon, a player who has now signed after a successful trial.

“I think all the time in pre-season, you’re looking at not getting injuries, working on shape and you’re also looking for players to impress," the gaffer said.

“We started off with a back three before changing to a back four in the second half, but it’s fair to say that Theo did well at centre-back.

“I know him from my time at Gateshead where he did well for me in a back three or four, but I think he’s better in the centre as opposed to playing at full-back.

“Tom also did really well again and he’s infectious in the fact that he gets around the pitch, but he’s prepared to put a foot in and he’s good on the ball.

“He got a good reception when he came off and he’s done well since he’s been here.”


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