Barnsley performance is the standard for Valiants - Yates

EXPORT Vale defender Adam Yates was impressed with the win at Barnsley and reckoned, “this is the sort of performance they've got to put in week in, week out.”

- Clive Youlton

A veteran of 10 years at Vale Park, Yates is well placed to give his verdict on the progress of his former club so far in League One.

Speaking on BBC Radio Stoke after the Valiants had won 2-0 in Yorkshire, he said: “That was an outstanding performance. They were the better team all afternoon.

“They defended better, they had more opportunities, they took chances, they frustrated Barnsley and that is testament to the players' commitment, passion and desire and pride.

“Coming off the game in midweek [Arsenal], I thought they might look a bit leggy, but they didn't. Everybody to a man put in a top-class performance but for me the two wing-backs put in incredible performances both defensively and in attack.

“Jaheim Headley defended well one on one, he recovered, he tracked back and made some fantastic tackles.

“Jordan Gabriel on the other side, that was as good a performance I remember seeing for a long time from a wing-back and he thoroughly deserved his goal and Vale deserved that win.”