Defender looking to put Brentford defeat quickly behind us

Alex defender Mark Ellis is hoping the club can put Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford quickly behind us by bouncing back against local neighbours Port Vale this weekend. The centre-half is used to competing in intense derby clashes after previously been involved in Torquay versus Exeter encounters.

Ellis played in his first derby game against Port Vale back in November and he certainly added to the atmosphere when enjoying an early disagreement with our former forward Tom Pope and half of the Port Vale bench!

Port Vale won the game 2-1 and Ellis will be hoping that the scoreline will be in our favour this weekend.

Mark told the club’s official web-site: “It was frustrating against Brentford on Saturday because they have scored three wonder goals and haven’t really got in behind us, but we were disappointed with the way we played in the first half.

“It is frustrating because we have restricted the team that are the top of the league to long range shots and to see them fly into the top corner just adds to that. It wasn’t as though we have made three mistakes or they have opened us up.

“Brentford are a good side, the best we faced this season and their passing and movement was very good. You can only learn from a game like that but we have to get over quickly. We have to push on and make sure we get a result at Port Vale.

“We know what it means and we know it is going to be a completely different game to the Brentford. Micky (Adams) likes his teams to be relentless, physical and hard working. They put the ball into the box and try and grind you down.

He added: “They will try and get on top of us and we will have to stand up to that and the boys are all for it because we know how important it is to the fans and our league position. “