Like all good sides Vale had mastered the art of winning even if they didn't play well

IN the latest part of CLIVE YOULTON’s review of Port Vale’s promotion season, he witnesses a smash and grab raid in Nottingham...

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THE realisation that George Byers would only be a bit-part player and not a major influence had hit home at Port Vale.

The midfielder didn’t have a poor injury record for no reason. He had injured a knee against Colchester United in October and limped off. He wouldn't be seen again until December.

Darren Moore warned that other teams would “park the bus” as Colchester had done in the previous game.

Ahead of the trip to Notts County on October 5 bright spark Kyle John reckoned, “the team is starting to gel and I think it’s only going up from here.”

Having grown up in Everton's academy, Chester-born John was enjoying his first taste of senior football.

Moore was excited about Vale's trip to Meadow Lane.

He told the club’s website: “It’s a lovely arena. I said to the boys, 'I would imagine when you were growing up and looking at the professional game and being in an arena, we will certainly be in an arena on Saturday.'

“We will bring the energy because we have sold out our awayday allocation of tickets which is excellent.

“You are going to witness two teams playing good football, real attacking football and so completely different from what we witnessed at Colchester.