Robertson concentrates on Vale's strengths
Sometimes in football you can get to drawn into what the opposition are doing, so much so you lose sight of your own strengths.
These are the thoughts of Vale defender Chris Robertson as Vale prepares to welcome Peterborough United to Vale Park on Saturday (3pm).
Robertson is under no illusions just how hard Saturday’s match will be but insists Vale need to remember what they’re good at and worry less about the opposition.
“I think we need to remember our own strengths.”
Robertson continued: “Our strengths are to hustle and bustle teams and then get the ball down when we can.
“We’ve got to earn the right to do that first and get stuck in and make it a tough game and a physical game, which they might not want.
“I want to defend, I want to keep clean sheets and I want to win games so anyway we can do that is going to be great.”
Peterborough United will travel to Vale Park as the second highest scorers in League One and Robertson is quick to point out that Vale are on a decent run in the league themselves.
“They’re doing well at the moment and we’ve been on a decent run recently so there is no reason why we can’t go out there and get the points.
“They’re up there going for promotion, they’ve come down last year so they know what this league is all about,” said Robertson.
“It’ll be tough like any game, no one is going to give you the points, we’ve got to work hard as a team and get it together.”
There could be a change in defence as Daniel Jones has overcome an injury that has ruled him out since August.
“There is a few options, you look at the team and there’s probably two or three, maybe four players that can play in certain areas in your position.
“It gives us a bit of flexibility and variation, so there are a few choices for Saturday,” he explained.
In more injury news Manager Micky Adams has resumed first-team responsibilities after recovering from hip surgery, the gaffer watched Tuesday’s defeat to Rochdale from the stands and Robertson admits Adams’ quick recovery means it feels like he’s never been away.
“It doesn’t feel like he’s been away because it has been quite a quick turn around, nothing has really changed since Page and Grew have stepped in.
“It has been the same all season, it’s good to have him back and it’s another voice and it’ll be good for the changing room,” Robertson said.
As a former Premier League defender Page’s experience has benefited Robertson since he joined the club this summer.
Robertson explains: “I benefit from Page all the time, I am always learning off him being a centre-half he helps me out and talks to me and I can only learn from him.
“It is good to have a guy of his calibre at the club.”