Defender calls for fast start on Saturday
Defender Richard Duffy is looking for a quick start when Vale visit Burton Albion on Saturday.Duffy will be in contention to return to the starting line-up when the Valiants travel to the Pirelli Stadium after missing Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat at Colchester through suspension.
Speaking to the media earlier today, the Welsh centre-back spoke of the test that will await the Valiants this weekend.
“It will be a tough game, they are up in the play-offs, in the top four I think and they are up there for a reason, they are consistent, they don’t concede many goals.
“I’m not sure they have scored many of late but they win a lot of games by the odd goal.
“We have to be on the front foot from the start. They have started really well and dropped a few results lately but that’s not to say that they are a poor team or anything.
“They will come out and they will expected to win the game but we will go there and put our stamp on things.”
Duffy admits competition for places will be giving manager Rob Page nightmares after his replacement in the side on Tuesday, Ryan McGivern, impressed on his second start of the season.
“There has been competition all season. He wasn’t getting the squad at the start of the season and that was unfortunate for him because he is a top player when he comes in and plays, as you’ve seen he goes straight in and has done really well.
“The manager has got a bit of an headache, he’s got people that want to come in and it’s not just him(McGivern), you’ve got Yatesy as well, so there is competition all across.”
Anthony Grant’s impact on the side since signing from Crewe Alexandra in the summer is something which Duffy announced is giving the defence more confidence.
“I feel since he has come in he is disciplined in what he does. He can get forward but he picks his times and the majority of the time he is just sitting in front of us as an extra man, as a back five. I think that has really helped us.”