Port Vale midfielder Ben Whitfield says the players are well aware of how important our trip to Crewe is tomorrow for everyone associated with the club, and is determined that we return to Vale Park with all three points.
Whitfield is just one of the few remaining players who last featured against Crewe back in April. A stunning volley from Antony Kay looked to have secured all three points for the Valiants, had it not been for a last minute equaliser by Crewe to end it all square.
That memory is still fresh in the mind of Whitfield, who has really hit the ground running since his return on a permanent move over the summer, and is confident that after last weeks performance the Valiants can secure their first away win of the year.
"It's a massive massive game, the manager knows that and he's obviously told us that as well and said what a big game it is.
"But it's like every other Saturday, we've got to go out there and put a performance in for the players, fans and the manager. If we play like we did on Saturday, I can't see why we can't leave their place with three points.
"You're more excited more than anything. There's been quite a bit of chat about it, for the lads who haven't played in it they've been made aware what it's like, the atmosphere, the pitch, the stadium. Hopefully we can go out there on Saturday and get all three points."
There is expected be a sold out crowd of just over 2300 fans at Gresty Road tomorrow, and the importance of the fans is something that the players have admitted spurs them on.
Last seasons away trip to Crewe was the first time Whitfield experienced the local derby, and the Valiants were certainly in full singing voice that with some memorable scenes in the away end when Kay scored his fantastic volley.
Whitfield and likewise the rest of the squad, are hoping for a repeat of those scenes in the away end and has emphasised that the fans play a massive part for the players in a fixture like this. The midfielder also believes experienced players, will be key if Vale are to secure all three points.
"You can hear them in the dressing room, when you're lining up in the tunnel, they're our 12th man. When you're listening to them and they've made the effort to come all the way to Crewe to support us and hopefully see us win, we have to repay them on the pitch.
"There's the likes of Popey, who's obviously a big character in the dressing room and a few of the new lads. The likes of Connell and Leggey they're big characters as well.
"They've experienced derbies before and they know the importance of it and how much you need to win those games and put in a good performance."