'Fans must trust Moore to make the right decisions...'

TOM Pope is pleased Port Vale fans will finally get to see their team in earnest when they face Birmingham City tomorrow.

- Clive Youlton

The Valiants’ post-record top scorer has reservations about whether some of the existing players can thrive in League One, but is happy to reserve judgement until he’s seen them perform.

As joint-manager of Kidsgrove Athletic, Pope saw firsthand what Vale have in their squad in a preseason friendly, albeit in one of their first warm-up games.

Since playing Pope's side, Newcastle Town and Bath City, Vale have been behind closed doors but will reemerge in front of supporters against the Championship newcomers, before a trip to Altrincham on Tuesday,

“We saw them against us and they didn’t look that great,” maintained Pope. “They haven't really played any friendlies.

“They've played all these in-house games and stuff. For me, it feels quite strange being so close to the season that the fans haven't got the chance to have a look at the new players.

“We used to play West Brom or Burnley would come and you'd have a couple of Championship or League One sides come.