|
"We are expecting another exciting game. Carlisle still feel they have got a great chance of getting into the play-offs. They have done very well of late, had great support at Tranmere and played exceptionally well and so we know we are in for a very, very hard Easter programme. It would be nice if they brought a few with them and I can see them bringing a big following. They sang their hearts out right from the start to the finish at Tranmere and you get a sneaky feeling they have still got a good chance.
"I am delighted for Jeff Smith, he's a lovely person. It was a shame to see him go, but sometimes you can't do a lot about it. He is more than welcome here - he comes to the ground and sees the players, so the door is always open for him, that's the way we work here. He didn't settle with the supporters that quickly, but I thought this year he has played very, very well and he is a decent lad.
"I thought they (Carlisle) were outstanding (at Brunton Park) and I am not just saying that because we are playing them. Jeff played well and was solid on the left-hand side without really bombing forward. He was covering back and helping his left-back a lot, as he did for us here. His work rate was very good."
"We don't have too many games left now, but the players' attitudes have been good. They have been very bubbly in training, the standard hasn't dropped and we have had some decent performances. I would like to see that continue. The Huddersfield game was an exciting game, which could have gone either way. We could have been 2-0 down, but on the other hand we could have won it towards the end.
"I think a draw was probably a fair result, but when we go there again next season, it's important we defend better. Our attacking play just lately has been a joy to watch and it has got to continue. I am pleased for Akpo (Sodje). Leon (Constantine) has done very well for himself and he has done very well for Akpo and I think they have worked well together. The service has got better, the quality has got better, especially from full back positions, which is important.
"It is a good tally, 22 goals from Leon and another 15 from Akpo. If you had said that to me at the start of the season I would probably have said 'no', but they haven't hidden. They have taken criticism, but they have held their heads high and deserve the plaudits. We want to finish off the season on a winning note and I want us to finish as high as we can. I don't want us to go down another three or four places and with another three points we could have been four or five places higher - I don't want to be in that position, so we will keep pushing."
Compared to United the home side have few injury and suspension worries for the match. Vale only missing centre-half Clayton Fortune with a thigh problem, Richard Walker who is on loan at Wrexham and Jason Talbot who is serving the second game of a bumper five-match ban. Luke Rodgers and Paul Harsley both come back into contention for a starting place though after recovering from hamstring and leg injuries respectively.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Eddie Ilderton from the Tyne and Wear area, and he will be assisted down the lines by Craig Barker from Leeds and Michael Naylor from Sheffield. Meanwhile the fourth official will be Rob Merchant from Stone in Staffordshire.