Page contemplates changes at Preston
Vale interim boss Rob Page knows his side are in for a tough game against Preston North End at Deepdale this evening, but says he wants to win every game.
It is highly unlikely that will happen of course, but it is an indication that Page is taking the competition seriously and is unlikely to make too many changes to the starting line-up.
He says:“Every competition we enter into, we want to do well and every game we approach, we want to win. It’s a big game but we want to win every game we play in.
“Everybody’s talking about changes, but for me it about keeping the continuity and keeping the slight progress that we have seen in the last three games and keeping that going.
Vale are forced into at least two changes, with Jordan Slew being forced to sit out following his sending off at the weekend and Ryan McGivern away on international duty.
“As far as Preston North End are concerned, we have had them watched and seen clips of them and we know it is going to be an extremely tough time because they have got quality.”
Whether or not they are the only changes Page makes will be kept to his players and staff until later on, but he is mindful of the effect too many changes can make.
He explained: “You have got to get the blend right. It is an opportunity to maybe give certain players minutes, but on the other hand I want to win games of football and to do that you need continuity.
“There wasn’t a lot wrong on Saturday if you take the sending off out of it and we have got to keep the momentum going.
“With Ryan (McGivern) on international duty, Stéphane Zubar is obviously going to play a part, but we will have a look at it.
“He has been terrific in training. He’s a great character, he’s a leader and there’s a great intensity to his training.
“We will have a look at it and there might be a couple of changes, but I wouldn’t say wholesale changes.
“We want to win every game we play in. Everyone is talking about changes, but for me it is about keeping the continuity and the slight progress we have seen in the last few games.”